HOW RAGUEL SUGGESTED TO MOSES TO SET HIS PEOPLE IN ORDER, UNDER THEIR RULERS OF THOUSANDS, AND RULERS OF HUNDREDS, WHO LIVED WITHOUT ORDER BEFORE; AND HOW MOSES COMPLIED IN ALL THINGS WITH HIS FATHER-IN-LAW'S ADMONITION. FJAJ 3.19
1. THE next day, as Raguel saw Moses in the of a crowd of business for
he determined the differences of those that referred them to him, every
one still going to him, and supposing that they should then only obtain
justice, if he were the arbitrator; and those that lost their causes thought
it no harm, while they thought they lost them justly, and not by partiality.
Raguel however said nothing to him at that time, as not desirous to be
any hinderance to such as had a mind to make use of the virtue of their
conductor
But afterward he took him to himself, and when he had him alone,
he instructed him in what he ought to do; and advised him to leave the
trouble of lesser causes to others, but himself to take care of the greater,
and of the people's safety, for that certain others of the Hebrews might
be found that were fit to determine causes, but that nobody but a Moses
could take of the safety of so many ten thousands. FJAJ 3.20
"Be therefore,"
says he, "insensible of thine own virtue, and what thou hast done
by ministering under God to the people's preservation
Permit, therefore,
the determination of common causes to be done by others, but do thou reserve
thyself to the attendance on God only, and look out for methods of preserving
the multitude from their present distress
Make use of the method I suggest
to you, as to human affairs; and take a review of the army, and appoint
chosen rulers over tens of thousands, and then over thousands; then divide
them into five hundreds, and again into hundreds, and into fifties; and
set rulers over each of them, who may distinguish them into thirties, and
keep them in order; and at last number them by twenties and by tens: and
let there be one commander over each number, to be denominated from the
number of those over whom they are rulers, but such as the whole multitude
have tried, and do approve of, as being good and righteous men; (8) This
manner of electing the judges and officers of the Israelites by the testimonies
and suffrages of the people, before they were ordained by God, or by Moses,
deserves to be carefully noted, because it was the pattern of the like
manner of the choice and ordination of bishops, presbyters, and deacons,
in the Christian church.
and let those rulers decide the controversies they have one with another.
But if any great cause arise, let them bring the cognizance of it
before the rulers of a higher dignity; but if any great difficulty arise
that is too hard for even their determination, let them send it to thee.
By these means two advantages will be gained; the Hebrews will have justice
done them, and thou wilt be able to attend constantly on God, and procure
him to be more favorable to the people." FJAJ 3.21
2. This was the admonition of Raguel; and Moses received his advice
very kindly, and acted according to his suggestion
Nor did he conceal
the invention of this method, nor pretend to it himself, but informed the
multitude who it was that invented it: nay, he has named Raguel in the
books he wrote, as the person who invented this ordering of the people,
as thinking it right to give a true testimony to worthy persons, although
he might have gotten reputation by ascribing to himself the inventions
of other men; whence we may learn the virtuous disposition of Moses: but
of such his disposition, we shall have proper occasion to speak in other
places of these books. FJAJ 3.22