Is Jethro's advice in Exodus 18 from God or from man?
The counsel comes from man, not God. The chapter contains no 'and the Lord said'; the Lord is out of the picture, and it is strictly a man speaking in the energy of the flesh, even though it sounds logical and true.
Les explains that in this chapter the Lord is completely out of the picture: there is no 'and the Lord said.' Jethro's advice is strictly a man speaking in the energy of the flesh, even though it sounds very logical and rings true. He advises Moses to teach ordinances and laws, show the people the way to walk, and appoint able men who fear God, men of truth who hate covetousness, as rulers over thousands, hundreds, and fifties. Les notes that Israel already had organization from Egypt, having come out with their armies and by tribes. Yet Moses harkened to his father-in-law's voice and did all that he said, picking out such men.
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
Where in Exodus 18 does it say "and the Lord said"?
Exodus 18 nowhere contains the phrase "and the Lord said." According to the supplied context, the chapter records Jethro advising Moses, but the Lord is completely out of the picture; it is strictly a man speaking in the energy of the flesh, even though the counsel sounds logical and true.
Was there anything actually wrong with the advice Jethro gave Moses?
The counsel itself had nothing basically wrong with it: Jethro advised Moses to teach ordinances, select able men who feared God, men of truth who hated covetousness, and appoint rulers over thousands, hundreds, and fifties. It sounded logical and true, but the record shows God was out of the picture and it was merely fleshly advice.