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From Eternity Past
Lord declared, “The hand of Amalek is against the throne of Jehovah.”
Exodus 17:16
, margin.
The Amalekites were not ignorant of God’s character or of His
sovereignty, but they had set themselves to defy His power. The
wonders wrought by Moses before the Egyptians were made a subject
of mockery. They had taken oath by their gods that they would destroy
the Hebrews and boasted that Israel’s God would be powerless to resist
them. They had not been threatened by the Israelites. Their assault was
unprovoked. To manifest their defiance of God they sought to destroy
His people. The Amalekites had long been highhanded sinners, yet
God’s mercy had still called them to repentance; but when the men
of Amalek fell upon the wearied and defenseless ranks of Israel, they
sealed their nation’s doom. Over all who love and fear Him, God’s
hand extends as a shield; let men beware that they smite not that hand;
for it wields the sword of justice.
Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, now set out to visit the Hebrews
and restore to Moses his wife and two sons. Moses, the great leader,
went out with joy to meet them and conducted them to his tent.
Jethro’s Wise Advice
As Jethro remained in the camp, he soon saw how heavy were
the burdens that rested upon Moses. Not only the general interests
and duties of the people, but the controversies that arose among them,
were referred to him. He said, “I do make them know the statutes
of God, and His laws.” But Jethro remonstrated, saying, “This thing
is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”
“Thou wilt surely wear away.” He counseled Moses to appoint proper
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persons as rulers of thousands, others as rulers of hundreds, and others
of tens. These were to judge in all matters of minor consequence,
while the most difficult and important cases should still be brought
before Moses. This counsel was accepted, and it not only brought
relief to Moses, but more perfect order among the people.
The fact that he had been chosen to instruct others did not lead
Moses to conclude that he himself needed no instruction. The chosen
leader of Israel listened gladly to the suggestions of the godly priest of
Midian, and adopted his plan.