Exodus 18

“When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his…” Naming Israel and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,” Naming Moses and Jethro keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the…” Naming Eliezer keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and…” Naming Egyptians and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of…” Naming Egyptians and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD , who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of…” Naming Egyptians and Blessed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dealt, gods, greater. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:” Naming Because keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and…” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of…” Naming Israel and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.