Moses' father-in-law Jethro, along with Moses' wife and sons, came to him in the desert, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. Moses’ father-in-law JethroJethro, also known as Reuel, was the priest of Midian. His role as a priest suggests he was a leader and spiritual guide among the Midianites, a people descended from Abraham through Keturah. Jethro's relationship with Moses is significant, as he provided counsel and support to Moses, highlighting the importance of wise counsel and mentorship in leadership. along with Moses’ wife and sons
Moses' wife, Zipporah, and his sons, Gershom and Eliezer, are mentioned here. This reunion indicates a period of separation, likely due to the dangerous journey Moses undertook to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The inclusion of his family underscores the importance of family unity and support in fulfilling God's calling. came to him in the desert
The desert, or wilderness, is a recurring setting in the Bible, often symbolizing a place of testing, preparation, and revelation. It was in the desert that God provided for the Israelites and revealed His laws. This setting emphasizes the theme of reliance on God and spiritual growth through trials. where he was encamped at the mountain of God
The mountain of God, also known as Mount Sinai or Horeb, is a significant location in biblical history. It is where Moses encountered the burning bush and later received the Ten Commandments. This mountain represents God's presence and covenant with His people. The encampment here signifies a pivotal moment of divine instruction and revelation for the Israelites. Persons / Places / Events 1. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian, who plays a significant role in advising Moses on leadership and governance. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 3. Moses' Sons and WifeThey are brought by Jethro to reunite with Moses, highlighting the importance of family even amidst leadership responsibilities. 4. The WildernessRepresents the place of testing and reliance on God, where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land. 5. The Mountain of GodRefers to Mount Sinai, a significant location where God reveals Himself and gives the Law to Moses. Teaching Points The Importance of Family SupportMoses' reunion with his family underscores the significance of familial relationships and support, even for those in leadership roles. The Role of Wise CounselJethro's visit is a precursor to his wise counsel to Moses, reminding us of the value of seeking and heeding godly advice in our lives. Sacred Spaces and Encounters with GodThe mountain of God is a place of divine encounter and revelation, encouraging us to seek our own sacred spaces for communion with God. Leadership and DelegationThe account sets the stage for Jethro's advice on delegation, teaching us the importance of sharing responsibilities to avoid burnout and ensure effective leadership. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the reunion of Moses with his family in the wilderness speak to the balance between leadership responsibilities and family commitments? 2. In what ways can we seek and apply wise counsel in our own lives, as Moses did with Jethro? 3. What are some "mountains of God" or sacred spaces in your life where you have experienced God's presence and guidance? 4. How does the concept of delegation, as later advised by Jethro, apply to your current responsibilities at work, church, or home? 5. Reflect on a time when you were in a "wilderness" season. How did God provide support and guidance through others during that time? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 3:1Connects to the initial encounter of Moses with God at the burning bush, also at the mountain of God, emphasizing the sacredness of this location. Exodus 19:2-3Describes the Israelites' arrival at Mount Sinai, where God will establish His covenant with them, further highlighting the importance of this mountain. Numbers 10:29-32Jethro's role as an advisor and his relationship with Moses is further explored, showing the value of wise counsel. Deuteronomy 1:9-18Moses recounts the advice given by Jethro on delegating leadership, which is crucial for effective governance. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Midian, RephidimTopics Camped, Desert, Encamped, Encamping, Father-in-law, Jethro, Law, Moses's, Mount, Mountain, Sons, Tent, Waste, Wife, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 18:3-4 5044 names, giving of 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 18:5 NIVExodus 18:5 NLTExodus 18:5 ESVExodus 18:5 NASBExodus 18:5 KJV
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