Wisdom of a Father-in-Law

 

Wisdom of a Father-in-Law

Exodus 18: And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. ² Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, ³ with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”) ⁴ and the name of the other was Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”); ⁵ and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. ⁶ Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

 

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After being asked to lead the people out of Egypt, Moses reluctantly left his family. For months, Moses obeyed GOD through plagues, protection and provision. Word got back to Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, about all the things GOD had done. Jethro brought Moses’s family to him.

 

My Observations:

• Jethro was the first father-in-law mentioned in the Bible.
• Since there was no “law” regarding marriage and divorce at this time, Jethro may have meant the term to mean, “father by oath to my given daughter.”
• Zipporah had previously reacted in a peculiar fashion when she had to circumcise her son.

 

A lot happened in the few months Moses was gone. Egypt fell, the children of Israel rebelled and they were attacked. Jethro seemed to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT to bring Moses his family. He “heard of all that GOD had done” and responded by bringing Moses his family.

 

This shows me that Jethro believed in GOD and wanted Moses’s family to experience GOD. Jethro showed wisdom and went out to meet Moses at the same mountain GOD originally called Moses to be HIS leader.

 

Jethro had lived in the desert for years. He and his family were able to sustain themselves with little effort. BUT GOD did not bring the children of Israel out of Egypt to learn the ways of the Midianites. Moses felt like a stranger amongst them. GOD brought them out of Egypt to worship HIM as GOD. Jethro saw the value in doing so.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Jethro bringing his family to him?
• Do you recall when someone provided sage wisdom to you?
• Do you need to be reunited with people who may or may not believe in GOD’s power?

Moses Finds a Family

 Moses Finds a Family

Exodus 2: ¹⁶ Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. ¹⁷ Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

 

¹⁸ When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that you have come so soon today?”

 

¹⁹ And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.”

 

²⁰ So he said to his daughters, “And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”

 

²¹ Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. ²² And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”

 

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Moses wanted to get away from the Egyptians because he killed one of them. He also wanted to get away from the Hebrews because they saw what he did and asked him “Who made you prince and judge over us?” Moses went to Midian.

 

My Observations:

• Moses was scared and confused when he left Egypt.
• Moses was a physically strong, brave fighter who could kill someone easily.
• Moses was actually a gentle servant.

 

Reuel, or Jethro would eventually become Moses’s father-in-law. Zipporah would become his wife. They were Midianites. This group of people would fight the Israelites later. But for now, Moses was accepted into the family.

 

Zipporah would bare a son named Gershom, meaning a stranger. Gershom would not inherit the leadership of the Hebrews because GOD chooses HIS leaders. Not much was said about Gershom. Midian was probably near the mountain where Moses would eventually meet GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses to talk about his encounter with the Midianites?
• Have you ever felt like getting away from the problems you may have caused?
• Has GOD sent you to a strange place for you to start over?