Exodus 18:1-12 “Now Moses’ father-in-law Jethroa the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” The other son was named Eliezerc because Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” (“Gershon” means “Sojourner.” “Eliezer” means “God is my helper.”)
Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, along with Moses’ wife and sons, came to him in the desert, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent. Then Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.
And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians. Jethro declared, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”
Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.”
Who is Jethro? Remember that when Moses murdered the Egyptian overseer for abusing an Israelite slave, he had to escape to the desert to save himself. While Moses was wandering in the desert, God led him to the camp of Jethro, who evidently was already worshiping God on his own. Jethro’s daughter Zipporah became Moses’ wife, and they had two sons. Even as Moses was wandering, God was leading him to a woman who would be a fit helpmate and not an idol – worshiping hindrance.
Jethro is Moses’ father – in – law, but the Bible also describes him as “the priest of Midian.” This was an age in which polytheism was the norm, and people were worshiping all kinds of god associated with rocks and trees and bodies of water, not to mention gods of rain, gods of harvest, fertility gods, etc. It was common for travelers to carry their teraphim, their family gods, with them. Remember Rachel stealing Laban’s teraphim and hiding them under a camel saddle?
Obviously, Jethro has outgrown these little gods and has somehow found his way to worship the One True Living God. How can we tell this? Moses makes Jethro his confidante, sharing with Jethro everything that God has done for the Israelites. What is Jethro’s response?
v. 9 – 12 “And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians. Jethro declared, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”
Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.”
Aaron and the Israelite elders also recognize Jethro as a godly man and share a sacrificial meal with him. In the wonderful book Eternity in Their Hearts, missionary Don Richardson has described many ways in which God the peoples of different cultures to receive Him and His Word. How did Jethro find his way to God? We don’t know, but that Jethro was worshiping God and not demons is beyond all doubt.
APPLICATION: When Moses fled Egypt, he had no idea what God was about to do; yet, God was able to guide him to Jethro and to Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah, who became his wife. Many times we long for guidance, but sometimes we question whether or not God can really lead us. Does God really know about our problems, all the details of our lives?
The story of Moses should give us courage to trust in God. Moses was an exile who could have easily died in the desert; yet, God spared him and led him to Jethro’s camp. Jethro mentored Moses in sheep – herding and taught him skills that Moses would need later when he was leading the Israelites. And Jethro was obviously a good man who believed in God’s call on Moses’ life and who was willing to help Moses and encourage him.
Do you feel lost and confused today? Remember that the same God who cared for Moses and who raised up Jethro and his family to help Moses will also come to your aid.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your watch care and your provision! Help us to turn to you with all our needs. Thank you that you know us better than we know ourselves. And thank you for loving us and caring for us. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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