Jethro

Jethro, also called Reuel, was the priest of Midian whose daughter Zipporah Moses married after fleeing Egypt. Moses tended his flocks for forty years in Midian and received his call at Horeb while shepherding Jethro's sheep. After the Exodus, Jethro brought Zipporah and Moses' two sons to the Israelite camp at the mountain of God. When Moses recounted all that the LORD had done for Israel, Jethro rejoiced and blessed God: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because he delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians."

The next day, Jethro observed Moses sitting from morning to evening judging the people alone, with long lines forming. He told Moses plainly: "What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out." He advised Moses to appoint capable, trustworthy men as leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens — bringing only the most difficult cases to Moses himself. Moses listened and implemented the system. This delegation model, offered by a non-Israelite priest, is one of the most practical pieces of organizational wisdom in the entire Pentateuch.