So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

And when Moses heard this, he did all things that he had suggested unto him.

And Moses hearkeneth to the voice of his father-in-law, and doth all that he said,

So Moses took note of the words of his father-in-law, and did as he had said.

Having heard this, Moses did everything that he had suggested to him.

Obedivit Moses voci soceri sui: et fecit omnia quae ille dixerat.

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 to receive the admonitions of those whom they admit to teach rightly, although they are not of such high dignity. For Cyprian [1] 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 on account of his age; but we shall hereafter see in its proper place that his son remained in the camp.

Footnotes

1 - "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.

Hearkened - Nothing can be more characteristic of Moses, who combines on all occasions distrust of himself and singular openness to impressions, with the wisdom and sound judgment which chooses the best course when pointed out.

So Moses (k) hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
(k) Godly counsel should always be obeyed, even if it comes from our inferiors, for to such God often gives wisdom to humble those that are exalted, and to declare that one member has need of another.

So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law,.... Considered what he said, weighed it well in his mind, and judged it good advice, and determined to follow it:
and did all that he had said; by choosing such men as he directed to, and committing the judgment of the people to them, as follows:

Moses followed this sage advice, and, as he himself explains in Deuteronomy 1:12-18, directed the people to nominate wise, intelligent, and well-known men from the heads of the tribes, whom he appointed as judges, instructing them to administer justice with impartiality and without respect of persons.

So Moses hearkened unto the voice of his father - in - law. When he came to consider the thing, he saw the reasonableness of it, and resolved to put it in practice, which he did soon after, when he had received directions from God. Those are not so wise as they would be thought to be, who think themselves too wise to be counselled; for a wise man will hear, and will increase learning, and not slight good counsel, though given by an inferior.