If Jethro was a Midianite priest (Exodus 18:1), how could he seemingly embrace Yahweh while Midianites appear as enemies in other passages?

JETHRO’S MIDIANITE BACKGROUND AND HIS APPARENT EMBRACE OF YAHWEH

Jethro (also called Reuel in some passages) is identified in Exodus 18:1 as “the priest of Midian.” Midian was a region whose inhabitants traced their lineage to Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1–2), indicating that at least some Midianites would have retained a memory of the God of Abraham. Jethro’s family connection to Moses is clarified when Moses marries Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter (Exodus 2:21). This bond between Moses and a Midianite priest highlights how shared ancestry might have opened the door for Jethro’s recognition of the God who would later reveal Himself through the Mosaic covenant.

EVIDENCE OF JETHRO’S FAITH IN YAHWEH

1. Jethro’s Response in Exodus 18

The most explicit indication of his allegiance to Yahweh appears in Exodus 18:10–11: “Jethro declared, ‘Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh… Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods…’” This exclamation shows that Jethro not only acknowledges Israel’s God but also praises Him as supreme over all gods.

2. Offering Sacrifices

Following his proclamation, Jethro “brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God” (Exodus 18:12). In the ancient Near East, offering sacrifices signified recognizing and honoring a deity. Jethro’s sacrificial act suggests a genuine act of worship, presumably directed toward Yahweh rather than a mere courtesy to Moses.

3. Advice to Moses

In Exodus 18:19–23, Jethro provides wise counsel for administrative order, which Moses later implements. Though administrative, the passage indicates that Jethro’s actions were accepted by Moses—God’s chosen leader—implying that Jethro’s insight was seen as aligned with God’s purposes.

THE MIDIANITES AS ENEMIES IN OTHER PASSAGES

1. Shifts in Tribal Alliances

In Numbers 25, the Midianites are described leading Israel into idolatrous worship. Later in Judges 6–8, the Midianites are portrayed as invaders oppressing Israel. Historical and biblical records indicate that the term “Midianites” could refer to different clans or coalitions of tribes, not necessarily a single monolithic group. Thus, the antagonistic “Midianites” encountered in these later texts do not necessarily represent an unbroken continuation of Jethro’s household.

2. Evolving Spiritual Conditions

As time passed, many groups descending from Abraham did not remain faithful to Yahweh. For example, the Ammonites and Moabites (also connected to Abraham’s family line through Lot) became adversaries of Israel. It is plausible that different Midianite clans gradually abandoned any vestige of true worship passed down through generations. Jethro’s household, by contrast, appears to have retained reverence for the God of Abraham.

3. Scriptural Pattern of Individual Faith and National Apostasy

Scripture consistently shows that some individuals within a nation might embrace God, while others reject Him (e.g., Rahab in Jericho, Ruth the Moabite). Jethro’s acceptance of Yahweh stands out in positive contrast to later Midianites who opposed God’s people.

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. Genealogical Links to Abraham

Midian’s direct ancestry from Abraham (Genesis 25:1–2) might explain why some Midianites, like Jethro, still knew or respected the God of their forefather. This is supported by other biblical genealogies showing that knowledge of God was at least partially preserved among certain lines outside Israel (see Genesis 14’s mention of Melchizedek, another non-Israelite priest of the Most High God).

2. Archaeological Insights

Archaeological findings in regions traditionally associated with Midian show varied cultural practices among nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples. Evidence from documented trade routes (Egyptian and Arabian records) confirms that these tribes, including the Midianites, had diverse religious practices. It is possible some enclaves retained elements of the Abrahamic tradition. Archaeological references to Yahwistic worship outside Israel—such as the Kuntillet Ajrud inscriptions in the Sinai region, which mention “Yahweh of Teman”—demonstrate the broader possibility of worshipers of Yahweh dwelling beyond Israel’s boundaries in various historical periods.

3. Differentiating Tribes and Geography

The “land of Midian” might shift in meaning depending on the biblical context. Scholars note that tribal confederations in the ancient Near East often carried names that applied to multiple pockets of people rather than a unified kingdom. Consequently, Jethro’s specific clan could have had distinct traditions that set them apart from Midianites described as hostile.

THEOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL OBSERVATIONS

1. Individual Versus Collective Faith

Scripture highlights personal devotion over mere family or national identity. Jethro’s faith in Yahweh exemplifies that an individual’s response to God can diverge from the broader national stance. This principle is echoed throughout biblical history in figures like Caleb (of Kenizzite origin) and Ruth (a Moabite).

2. God’s Desire for All Nations

From the earliest promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:3) to the culmination in the Messiah, the scriptural narrative underscores that God’s ultimate aim is the blessing of all nations. Jethro’s acceptance of Yahweh serves as a testament to the inclusive reach of God’s covenant intentions.

3. Moral and Spiritual Decline

The Bible consistently documents how nations—including Israel itself—face judgments and negative portrayals when abandoning God’s ways. The Midianites’ portrayal as enemies in later passages arises from their violent or idolatrous opposition to God’s people. Jethro’s example shows that negative portrayals of a people group do not preclude faithful exceptions or a previous historical period of loyalty to God.

CONCLUSION

Jethro’s embrace of Yahweh in Exodus 18 does not contradict the fact that Midianites are portrayed as adversaries in other Scriptures. The Midianite term encompassed various tribes and lineages, and much can change across generations. Jethro’s reverence for the God of Moses likely reflects a strand of faith preserved from Abraham’s lineage, positioning him as one who genuinely recognized Yahweh’s supremacy.

Later accounts of Midianite hostility may refer to a coalition of tribes that rejected or forgot the true worship of God. Just as other nations tied to Abraham lapsed into paganism or outright opposition to Israel, so too did much of Midian. Nevertheless, Jethro remains a pivotal example of how even a leader among neighboring peoples can acknowledge and worship Israel’s God, showing that faith is individual as well as national, and God’s desire for relationship extends beyond ethnic boundaries.