Not Good לֹא־טוֹב֙

We are in chapter eighteen of Exodus with our word for today is actually a phrase. לֹא־טוֹב֙ not good. It is used 23 times in the Old Testament. We find our phrase used in the sense of comparing one thing or situation to another. Numbers 14:3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. הֲל֧וֹא ט֦וֹב Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt? Judges 8:2 But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? הֲל֗וֹא ט֛וֹב Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? 1 Kings 19:3-4 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am כִּֽי־לֹא־ט֥וֹב no better than my ancestors.”

We also see our phrase used to describe an immoral or bad action. From a person’s perspective. 1 Samuel 2:23-24 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is לֽוֹא־טוֹבָ֤ה not good. 1 Samuel 26:15-16 David said, “You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. What you have done is לֹא־ט֞וֹב not good. We also see God making this distinction. Isaiah 65:2-3 All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways לֹא־ט֔וֹב not good, pursuing their own imaginations— a people who continually provoke me to my very face.

Our phrase is also used in the sense of not approving. 1 Samuel 29:6-7 So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers לֹֽא־ט֥וֹב don’t approve of you. Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.” This is how our phrase is used in our chapter today. Exodus 18:17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is לֹא־טוֹב֙ not good. Jethro does not approve because of the reason he gives in the very next verse. Exodus 18:18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Then what I find interesting is the new convert from being a Midian Priest to now following the true God gives Moses some advice. Exodus 18:19-21 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Now Moses could have said wait a minute I’ve been following the true God a lot longer than you have. You just started so who are you to give me direction. But Moses doesn’t do that he listens to this newbie because it is wise instruction. Moses is a great example of humility in that we can learn from almost anyone regardless of who they are. If we are humble enough to let others speak into our lives. We always test things by God’s revealed word, but we also need to recognize that God can get our attention in a lot of different ways, even through a father-in-law newbie. This reminds me of this great proverb that I’ll close with. Proverbs 9:8-9 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.