Then Moses' father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God. Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to GodJethro, also known as Reuel, was a Midianite priest and Moses' father-in-law. His actions here demonstrate a recognition of the God of Israel, which is significant given his background. The burnt offering and sacrifices indicate a form of worship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. This act of worship by a non-Israelite highlights the universal reach of God's covenant and foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. The burnt offering, a common form of sacrifice, symbolizes complete surrender to God, as the offering is entirely consumed by fire. and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel
Aaron, Moses' brother, and the elders represent the leadership of Israel. Their presence signifies unity and acceptance of Jethro's offering, showing respect and acknowledgment of his role and wisdom. This gathering of leaders underscores the importance of community and shared worship in the life of Israel. It also reflects the hierarchical structure of Israelite society, where elders played a crucial role in governance and spiritual matters. to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God
Eating bread together in the ancient Near East was a sign of fellowship and covenant. This meal signifies peace and communion not only among the participants but also with God, as it is done in His presence. The phrase "in the presence of God" suggests a sacred meal, akin to a covenant meal, where God's presence is acknowledged and celebrated. This communal act prefigures the Christian practice of the Lord's Supper, where believers partake in communion, symbolizing unity with Christ and each other. Persons / Places / Events 1. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian, who acknowledges the God of Israel and offers sacrifices. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who is visited by his father-in-law, Jethro. 3. AaronMoses' brother and the high priest, who joins in the communal meal. 4. Elders of IsraelLeaders among the Israelites who participate in the meal with Jethro and Moses. 5. Burnt Offering and SacrificesActs of worship and dedication to God, signifying reverence and acknowledgment of His sovereignty. Teaching Points Acknowledgment of God's SovereigntyJethro's offering signifies recognition of God's power and authority. Believers are called to acknowledge God's sovereignty in their lives through worship and obedience. Unity in WorshipThe gathering of Jethro, Moses, Aaron, and the elders highlights the importance of communal worship. Christians are encouraged to gather in fellowship, strengthening their faith and unity. Inclusivity in God's PlanJethro, a Midianite, participates in worship, illustrating that God's plan includes all nations. Believers should embrace and share the Gospel with people from all backgrounds. Leadership and ServanthoodThe presence of the elders signifies the role of leadership in guiding and serving the community. Christian leaders are called to serve with humility and dedication. Presence of God in FellowshipThe meal "in the presence of God" emphasizes that God is present in our gatherings. Believers should seek to honor God in all aspects of their communal life. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jethro's offering in Exodus 18:12 demonstrate his acknowledgment of the God of Israel, and what can we learn from his example about recognizing God's work in our lives? 2. In what ways does the communal meal in Exodus 18:12 reflect the importance of fellowship in the Christian faith, and how can we apply this in our church communities today? 3. How does the inclusion of Jethro, a non-Israelite, in worship relate to the New Testament teachings on the inclusion of Gentiles, and what does this mean for our approach to evangelism? 4. What role do the elders play in this passage, and how can their example inform our understanding of leadership and servanthood in the church? 5. How can we ensure that our gatherings, whether in church or small groups, are conducted "in the presence of God," and what practical steps can we take to foster this awareness? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 14Melchizedek, a priest of God Most High, brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram, paralleling the priestly acknowledgment of God's work. Leviticus 7Describes the peace offerings, which include communal meals, similar to the meal shared in Exodus 18:12. Acts 10Cornelius, a Gentile, receives a vision and acknowledges God, showing the inclusion of non-Israelites in God's plan. Hebrews 13Encourages believers to offer sacrifices of praise, connecting to the idea of worship and fellowship in God's presence. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Midian, RephidimTopics Aaron, Bread, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Chiefs, Eat, Elders, Father-in-law, Jethro, Law, Meal, Moses's, Offered, Offering, Presence, Sacrifices, TakethDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 18:12 4438 eating
5072 Aaron, spokesman
7322 burnt offering
7435 sacrifice, in OT Exodus 18:9-12 8428 example Library The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. Gladstone's Death. ]
'Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.'--EXODUS xviii. 21. You will have anticipated my purpose in selecting this text. I should be doing violence to your feelings and mine if I made no reference to the event which has united the Empire and the world in one sentiment. The great tree has fallen, and the crash has for the moment silenced all the sounds of the forest. Wars abroad and controversies at home are …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGershom and Eliezer
'The name of the one [of Moses' sons] was Gershom ... and the name of the other was Eliezer....'--EXODUS xviii. 3, 4. In old times parents often used to give expression to their hopes or their emotions in the names of their children. Very clearly that was the case in Moses' naming of his two sons, who seem to have been the whole of his family. The significance of each name is appended to it in the text. The explanation of the first is, 'For he said, I have been an alien in a strange land'; and that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Origin and Growth of Law.
MOSES' WORK AS JUDGE AND PROPHET.--Ex. 18; 1-27; 33:5-11. Parallel References. Hist. Bible I, 198-203. Prin. of Politics, Ch. VI. Maine, Ancient Law. Jehovah spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend--Ex. 33: 11. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard cases they brought unto Moses, but every small …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Easter Tuesday
Second Sermon. Same Text. Acts 13, 26-39. THE WORD AND THE RESURRECTION.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon appeared first in the Church Postil, the Explanation of the Epistle and Gospel Texts from Easter to Advent. Printed by Hans Lufft, Wittenberg, 1559.] 1. This sermon was preached by Paul in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where were gathered with the Jews some Greek converts. Wherever in a city Jews were to be found, there also were their synagogues in which they taught and preached; and many …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 18:12 NIVExodus 18:12 NLTExodus 18:12 ESVExodus 18:12 NASBExodus 18:12 KJV
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