Lesson Thirty-nine  Jethro’s Proposal

Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.

 father-in-law  岳父，mother-in-law 岳母，sister-in-law  嫂子

What you are doing is not good.  What you are doing 是主语从句。你做的事，

wear sb. out 把人给累坏，worn-out sandals and clothes  旧鞋旧衣

handle 办理 to handle the spiritual problems, 处理属灵的问题

advice 主意，忠告，这是个不可数名词。We need to learn and accept God’s advice through life. 我们应该学会接受神透过生活给我们的教诲。

representative 代表

dispute 纷争，

the decrees 法令 与covenant, law, 都是近似词

to perform duties, 实行责任

select  选择 capable men 能干的人，fear God 敬畏神，

trustworthy 值得信赖，

dishonest gain 不义之财appoint 委任，official 做官，

Have them serve as judges 任命他们做法官，

difficult case 疑难案件 simple cases 简单案子

load 工作量， lighter 更轻一点，lighter的比较级

神通过圣经对我们说法，很多时候，也透过生活、我们周遭的人来向我们说话。叶忒罗给摩西的提议就是这样的例子。从叶忒罗的提议中，我们能看到这样一些有益的属灵功课：第一，要培养同工，这里指的是那种带有专职的负责同工。第二，教会要由很多的小组组成。教会或许有一天会遭到取缔，但是只要你的小组稳固，就没有人能够摧毁一个教会。第三，现代政府管理也是一级一级，法院一般有三到四极，这些摩西时代也都很完善了。这对我们了解社会的演变有帮助。第四，对于同工，要抓紧培训。第五，同工的选择，从旧约到新约，都是强调人的属灵品格，要求是敬畏神、诚实、不贪。

摩西的岳父说、你这作的不好。你和这些百姓必都疲惫、因为这事太重、你独自一人办理不了。现在你要听我的话、我为你出个主意、愿　神与你同在．你要替百姓到　神面前、将案件奏告　神．又要将律例和法度教训他们、指示他们当行的道、当作的事。并要从百姓中拣选有才能的人、就是敬畏　神、诚实无妄、恨不义之财的人、派他们作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长、管理百姓．叫他们随时审判百姓、大事都要呈到你这里、小事他们自己可以审判．这样、你就轻省些、他们也可以同当此任。出埃及记18:17-22