Read Exodus 18 at Bible Gateway.
Exodus 18 is loaded with Torah wisdom that can heal broken nations. Grab your coffee and let the Hebrew blow your minds in the best way!
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood about Moses from the morning to the evening. Exo 18:13
Judge (Strong’s H8199 שפט shaphat); the ancient Hebrew picture letters tell the story that defines the word.
shin ש = two front teeth (sharp, press, eat, two, again)
pey פ, ף = mouth (open, blow, scatter, edge)
tet ט = basket (surround, contain, hold, mud)
The Hebrew Root Word parable is of pronouncing a word (shin, as spoken words pass through the teeth) with the mouth (pey); that is, to make a decree or proclamation, that holds (tet), that survives the scrutiny of time and circumstances as a true word.
Biblical judgment isn’t about pointing fingers or venting anger. It’s not about snap decisions or personal opinions. It’s about a true word that’s like a lighthouse, guiding ships (that’s you and me) to a safe harbor.
And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover you shall select out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Exo 18:20-21
Able (from Strong’s H2342 חול chuwl) means “strength, ability, or virtue;” it’s ancient picture letters are:
chet ח = wall (outside, divide, half)
vav ו = tent peg (add, secure, hook)
lamed ל = shepherd’s staff (teach, yoke, to, bind)
The parable is a wall (chet) which secures (vav) authority (lamed).
An able man is like a rock-solid wall, firmly set in godly authority and virtue. Because he fears God, he does not fear the threats of man; because he sticks to time-tested truth, he doesn’t chase current (often unstable) fads. Because he hates corruption and loves honest labor, he doesn’t use his power to abuse. Think of him like a shepherd who protects his flock, not a wolf looking to profit.
Why This Matters: When the nation has able men as rulers, judging matters with sound judgment that holds under the test of time, then the people dwell in their homes in peace (shalom).
The Hebrew paragraph for this chapter:
18:1-27 {p} YHVH is greater than all the gods
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Exo 18:20-23, Able men – Christine Miller
Exo 18:1-27 Chiastic structure – Christine Miller
Leave a Reply