John Calvin on Exodus 18:24-27

24. So Moses hearkened. Here is a. remarkable instance of modesty, that Moses is not indisposed to submit himself to the counsel of his father-in-law. For although Jethro was his superior in age and in degree of affinity, in other respects he was far inferior to him. This yielding, then, of Moses to his authority, lays down a rule for all the greatest and most excellent Doctors, that they should not refuse lo receive the admonitions of those whom they admit to teach rightly, although they are not of such high dignity. For Cyprian “Et ideo vir sanctus Cyprianus, (Ep. 74:12, ad Pompeium,) non solum doctus, sed etiam docibilis, quod in laude episcopi quem designat Apostolus sic intellexit ipse ut diceret: ‘etiam hoc in episcopo diligendum, ut non solum scienter doceat, sed etiam patienter discat.’” — Aug. contra Donat, lib. 4:7, vol. 9:125. truly declares that none is a good doctor who is not also docile. It is probable that the old man immediately returned home, not in contempt, or from his dislike to labor or fatigue, but “Mais il est vray-semblable, que Moyse l’a volontiers excuse pour sa vieillesse;” but it is probable that Moses voluntarily excused him on account of his old age. — Fr. on account of his age; but we shall hereafter see in its proper place that his son remained in the camp.

DEUTERONOMY 1

A REPETITION OF THE SAME HISTORY

Deuteronomy 1:9-18

9. And I spoke unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:

9. Dixi vobis in tempore illo, dicendo, Non possum solus ferre vos.

10. The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.

10. Jehova Deus vester multiplicavit vos, ita ut sitis hodie sicut stellae coeli in multitudine.

11. (The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!)

11. Jehova Deus patrum vestrorum addat super vos sicut estis, mille vicibus, et benedicat vobis quemadmodum loquutus est vobis.

12. How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?

12. Quomodo feram solus laborem vestrum, et onus vestrum, et lites vestras.

13. Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.

13. Date ex vobis viros sapientes et intelligentes, et peritos e tribubus vestris, ut praeficiam illos vobis.

14. And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do.

14. Et respondistis mihi atque dixistis, Bona res est quam dixisti ut faciamus.

15. So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains ever thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.

15. Tulique principes tribuum vestrarum, viros sapientes et peritos, ac constitui eos principes super vos, tribunos, et centuriones, et quinquagenarios, et decuriones, et praefectos tribubus vestris.

16. And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.

16. Atque praecepi judicibus vestris tempore illo, dicendo, Audite inter fratres vestros, et judicate juste inter virum et fratrem suum, et inter peregrinum ejus.

17. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment, but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

17. Non agnoscetis faciem in ipso judicio: sicut parvum, sic et magnum audietis: non timebitis a facie cujusquam, quia judicium Dei est: rem autem quae gravior erit vobis, referetis ad me, et audiam illam.

18. And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.

18. Praecepique vobis tempore illo onmia quae facere deberetis.