Exodus 18:1-27

Jethro learns of God

Exodus 18:1-27

The best of men are only men at their very best.

Ryle, J.C. 1856. The Gospel of Matthew. (use)

John 12:21

...Sir, we wish to see Jesus. (use)

Books about sinful men can deflect our attention from the main book about the sinless man.

Piper, J., 2011. He Kissed the Rose and Felt the Thorn: Living and Dying in the Morning of Life. (use)

Exodus 18:7

so Moses went out to meet him {Jethro}, bowed before him, and kissed him. They asked about each other's health and then went into Moses' tent. (use)

However God in his providence is pleased to advance us, we must make conscience of giving honour to whom honour is due, and never look with disdain upon our poor relations. Those that stand high in the favour of God are not thereby discharged from the duty they owe to men, nor will that justify them in a stately haughty carriage. Moses went out to meet Jethro, did homage to him, and kissed him. Religion does not destroy good manners. [Exodus 18:7-12].

Henry, M., 1896. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. (use)

Genesis 14:18

And Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and also a priest of the Most High God, brought bread and wine to Abram, (use)

After duly weighing all these points, nothing occurs to me as more probable, than that under the priesthood of Jethro the true God was worshipped, according as tradition had revealed Him, but not purely; because religion was at that time everywhere contaminated by diverse superstitions.

Calvin, J., n.d. John Calvin’s Bible Commentaries On The Harmony Of The Law Vol. 1. Jazzybee Verlag. (use)

He {Jethro} is a good role model for in-laws. He offered wise counsel, stepped in to help when needed, and then got out of the way.

GotQuestions.org, n.d. Who was Jethro in the Bible? (use)

Why Jethro? I think one very important reason is that God understands how influential he is. And he does not intend the vast majority of our methods or systems to be considered sacred. So even if he approves of them, he doesn’t endorse them.

Bloom, J., 2012. Why Jethro? The Wisdom of What God Doesn’t Say. (use)

Exodus 18:8

Moses told Jethro everything that the LORD had done to the king and the people of Egypt in order to rescue the Israelites. He also told him about the hardships the people had faced on the way and how the LORD had saved them. (use)

Psalm‬ ‭111:2‬

How wonderful are the things the LORD does! All who are delighted with them want to understand them. (use)

That the God of Israel is greater than all pretenders; all deities, that usurp divine honours: he silenceth them, subdues them all, and is himself the only living and true God. He is also higher than all princes and potentates, who also are called gods, and has both an incontestable authority over them, and an irresistible power to control them; he manages them all as he pleaseth, and gets honour upon them how great soever they are. [regarding Exodus 18:11]

Wesley, J., 1765. Explanatory Notes. (use)

Exodus 7:5

The Egyptians will then know that I am the LORD , when I raise my hand against them and bring the Israelites out of their country. (use)

2 Kings 7:9

But then they said to each other, "We shouldn't be doing this! We have good news and we shouldn't keep it to ourselves. If we wait until morning to tell it, we are sure to be punished. Let's go at once and tell the king's officers! (use)

Psalm 66:5

Come and see what God has done, his wonderful acts for mankind. (use)

For a Christian to talk to the unconverted about the the Lord Jesus Christ and his saving power is in itself honouring and glorifying to God.

Packer, J.I. and Dever, M., 2008. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. InterVarsity Press. (use)

Luke 2:11

This very day in David's town your Saviour was born — Christ the Lord! (use)

Luke 24:27

And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets. (use)

1 Peter 3:15

But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honour him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you (use)

Exodus 18:11

Now I {Jethro} know that the LORD is greater than all the gods, because he did this when the Egyptians treated the Israelites with such contempt. (use)

Jethro ― having heard what God did to the Egyptians – was simply being prudent

Moshe Reiss, 2013. Jethro The Convert. Jewish Bible Quarterly 41, 89. (use)

Joshua 24:15

If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshipped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve the LORD. (use)

Ruth 1:16

But Ruth answered, "Don't ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. (use)

Isaiah 45:22

Turn to me now and be saved, people all over the world! I am the only God there is. (use)

Exodus 18:27

Then Moses said goodbye to Jethro, and Jethro went back home. (use)

Exodus 19:5

Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people, (use)

Equally, if it all makes sense to you, and you develop a personal relationship with god through Christianity or another philosophy – that’s absolutely fine, too.

Wilder, R., 2020. Oh Lord! My 4-Year-Old Wants To Know If Jesus Is Real. HuffPost UK. (use)

1 Corinthians 15:3

I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; (use)

Job 42:5

In the past I knew only what others had told me, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. (use)