Before the Israelites were freed from Egypt they were slaves, always doing what others told them. When they became free people they had the chance to make decisions and think for themselves, but they had never done that, so they went to Moses, because they were still dependent people. The difference between a slave and a dependent person is one has the opportunity to think and make decisions and the other one cannot. Since the Israelites had never thought for themselves, they were afraid of being wrong, or just did not put the energy into thinking. Only when a person starts think for themselves they become a free and mature person. Yitro gives them this opportunity because you must be taught how to be free, and Yitro gives the people the choice
