Dec. 9, 2013
Exodus 18-Part 1
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses father in law before God.
Exodus 18:12
LET IT GLOW
I always enjoyed the visits my in laws made to our home. My mother in law was an ordinary woman, yet extraordinary. Her education was remedial, yet she read her Bible. Although she didn't attend church while they were growing up, she influenced two sons who became preachers of God's Word. Her love of God was seen as she shared with the needy; her faith in God continued throughout her battle with cancer, which took her life. She was looking forward to heaven, being with her Savior and family. In this chapter, we read of the visit of Moses' father in law. Shall we see Moses' response?
I wonder how Jethro knew that Moses was in the area, near Mt. Sinai. There were no cell phones, email, nor 6:00 news back then.
Who was Jethro?
- He was the priest of Midian. Moses fled to the land of Midian after he killed an Egyptian soldier (Gen. 2). The Midianites were descendants of Abraham (Gen. 25) and intermarried with Ishmael's line (Gen. 37).
- He was a descendant of Abraham through Keturah.
- He had 7 daughters, one named Zipporah, whom Moses married.
- He was the grandfather of two sons of Moses and Zipporah, named Gershom and Eliezer. Gershom's name means a refugee, because Moses said he had been an alien in a strange land (verse 3); Eliezer's name means God of help, because Moses said the God of his father was his help and deliverd him from the sword of Pharaoh.
- He was the owner of the flock of sheep which Moses took care of back in Midian.
- His name is Jether in Exodus 4:18, and Reuel in Numbers 10:29, which were both a common version of Jethro, which means pre-eminence. (Young's Concordance)
- He lived in the land of Midian, which was beyond Jordan, in Edom, the Sinai peninsula, and Arabia Petraea. (Young's Concordance)
So maybe a Midianite was out taking care of Jethro's sheep one night and saw the lights of the camp of two million Israelites. Maybe the Lord sent Jethro to where Moses was camped. Who knows?
Quickly and thoroughly, the news of significant events in other lands passed from one place to another, very often via the merchant caravans which traversed the Fertile Crescent, or through ambassadors and other official contacts between nations. (MacArthur)
Anyway, Jethro shows up with Moses' wife and two sons. How do we feel when our in laws come to visit? Are we glad when they come or glad when they leave?
LET IT GROW
After the customary greetings, including obeisance, or a respectful bow, Moses and Jethro fellowshiped in the tent. Jethro had already heard of God's wonders performed in Egypt, but Moses retold it all. (Falwell)
What was Jethro's response?
- He rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians.
- He acknowledged that The LORD is greater than all gods either indicates great respect for Jehovah, or else a full salvation experience. (Falwell)
- He took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, evidence of his belief. It is obvious that Jethro was no worshiper of Midian's gods.
- He used the name Elohim, which means Supreme God, instead of Yahweh, the unique covenant name for Israel.
- Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Jethro in the presence of God.
Are we joyful, thankful, rejoicing in the gift of salvation that Jesus provides for us Gentiles? Are we sharing it with others? As believers in Jesus, we will some day reach our Promised Land, Heaven.
(I miss my mother in law and wish we could visit again in my home. But one day I will visit her in her eternal home.)
LET IT GO
Forget the things that plague us.
Rejoice in the gift of Jesus and His salvation to me.
Share this joy with others.
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