Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and instructions. Moses describes his dual function: deciding between parties (judicial) and informing of God's decrees (teaching). Both functions are currently his alone. The teaching function — informing people of God's decrees — is what only Moses can do at this stage, since the law has not yet been written. But the judicial function — deciding between parties on the basis of established principles — can be performed by anyone who knows those principles. Deuteronomy 1:9–18 records Moses' retrospective account of implementing Jethro's advice. The principles of fair judgment can be taught and applied by others; the reception of new divine instruction cannot be delegated.

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