Exodus 2:15-22 Moses meets Reul (Jethro)
When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down beside a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came as usual to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father’s flocks. 17 But some other shepherds came and chased them away. So Moses jumped up and rescued the girls from the shepherds. Then he drew water for their flocks.
18 When the girls returned to Reuel, their father, he asked, “Why are you back so soon today?”
19 “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they answered. “And then he drew water for us and watered our flocks.”
20 “Then where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave him there? Invite him to come and eat with us.”
21 Moses accepted the invitation, and he settled there with him. In time, Reuel gave Moses his daughter Zipporah to be his wife. 22 Later she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, [a foreigner there] for he explained, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”
It all began when Moses fled Egypt and wound up on the back side of Midian. That’s where Moses met Jethro, a Midianite priest and a worshiper of the One True Living God. Jethro welcomed Moses into his family after Moses assisted Jethro’s daughters in watering their flocks. Moses married Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah, who bore him two sons. If we skip over the meaning of those names, we miss special gifts from God. An internet search reveals: The name Zipporah means “bird” in Hebrew. This name is derived from the Hebrew word צִפּוֹר (tzippor), which signifies beauty, grace, and freedom. Zipporah is notably recognized as the wife of Moses in the Old Testament, and her name symbolizes vitality and a significant role in the liberation narrative. Additionally, the name carries spiritual connotations, representing divine care and unexpected purpose.
Zipporah’s father is Reul, or Jethro. The name “Jethro” means “excellence” or “abundance,” and Jethro lives up to his name. Everybody should have a father-in-law like Jethro! Here is a man worshiping the One True Living God in Midian, a country whose inhabitants generally worshiped Baal, Ashtoreth, and Dagon. Instead of slavishly following these hollow deities, Jethro worships God Almighty and functions as His priest. Jethro is one of those men whose entire body is a perpetual smile and who makes people feel good simply by being around him. Now Moses has been welcomed into the home of a believing family, a family full of love and grace, with whom he will live for forty years. How can Moses remain unchanged when his new family exhibits the winsome grace of true believers? Moses has experienced the hauteur of Pharaoh’s court and now experiences the love and peace of Jethro’s household.
Exodus 18 Jethro’s Visit to Moses
1 Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt.
2 Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. 3 (Moses’ first son was named Gershom, [a foreigner there] for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” 4 His second son was named Eliezer, [God is my helper] for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”) 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.”
7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. 9 Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.
10 “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! 11 I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”
12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.
Eventually, Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah, gave Moses two sons. Moses knew things were going to become difficult in Egypt, so he sent his wife and two sons to stay with his father-in-law. Now that the Israelites have left Egypt, Jethro hears about everything God has done and brings Moses’ family back so he can encourage Moses.
Proverbs 17:22 New Living Translation “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Throughout Jethro’s life, he continues to fulfill the promises embodied in his name. Here is an elderly man willing to travel long miles from Midian along with his daughter and his grandsons to meet Moses in the wilderness.
Once Jethro meets Moses, he is delighted about all the good things the Lord has done for Israel. 10 “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! 11 I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”
Is it possible that some of the Israelites try to complain to Jethro about Moses? Doubtful. Jethro is a stranger, and in many cultures, you never tell strangers bad news. But there’s also another reason. Jethro is one of those men who is one giant smile, continually praising God and rejoicing in His work. It’s tough to begin complaining when someone is smiling at you like you are his new best friend. Remember Jethro has spent his life herding sheep in the wilderness as well and is fully aware of all the problems Moses has faced and might face in the future. Jethro doesn’t waste time warning Moses but is thrilled about God’s salvation.
As a priest, Jethro proceeds to set a magnificent example, leading worship, involving Moses, Aaron, and all the elders of Israel. No matter what these elders have failed to do in the past, Jethro is showing them what it truly means to be a man of faith. True, Moses has been leading the Israelites, but now this stranger is worshiping the One True Living God. Many of these elders might be shocked or ashamed, for they are still compromising spiritually. Only God knows how many of these men have amulets or statues of Egyptian gods back in their tents or how many of them have been secretly imploring Egyptian deities for help. Perhaps part of the anger and frustration the Israelites have expressed stems from having sought help from their Egyptian idols without success. Not only does Jethro encourage Moses but he also leaves a lasting impression on the elders of Israel.
As we move through our days, what impression do we leave on those around us? Are we encouragers or are we perpetually looking as if we have lost our best friend? If we are truly serving the One True Living God, then we should be like Jethro, our faces beaming with reflected light from God’s countenance. Later, David will write in Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”
When we are serving God, we have no need of fear, for God will care for us, even in the most trying of circumstances. May God help us to copy Jethro, so that throughout our days, we are messengers of His light and love.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be like Jethro, full of Your abundant grace, blessing all those whom we meet. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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