Jethro was an influential figure in Moses’ life, playing a pivotal role at an important juncture. A priest of Midian, Jethro initially provided Moses sanctuary when he fled Egypt to escape Pharaoh’s wrath, offering him refuge and a fresh start along with his daughter’s hand in marriage. Beyond being Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro may have also served as a mentor to Moses. For forty years, Moses worked in Jethro’s household, tending to his flocks, a period that likely forged a bond between them stronger than even Moses’ relationship with his own people.
When Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he left Midian, but not without seeking Jethro’s blessing. It’s likely that during the difficult period in Egypt, Moses kept his father-in-law updated on the progress of the mission, sending news of Pharaoh’s hardened heart and the delays in their liberation. After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, Moses may have sent his family back to Jethro, and it was in the wilderness near the “mountain of God”—the very place where Moses had first encountered God—that Jethro came to reunite with Moses, bringing with his daughter Zipporah and his two grandsons, Gershom and Eliezer.
Jethro’s visit came at a critical moment in Moses’ journey. Not only did Jethro bring with him a sense of family and support, but his wisdom would soon offer Moses counsel. The intimate connection between Moses and Jethro, marked by mutual respect and care, laid the foundation for a relationship that would continue to influence the trajectory of Israel’s journey. Jethro’s arrival as it turned out was more than just a family reunion; it was a moment for him to witness firsthand the faithfulness of God.
The Reunion
So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. They greeted each other warmly and then entered the tent. Moses shared with Jethro all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, recounting the many hardships they had encountered along the way and how the LORD had delivered them.
Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them. – Exodus 18:8 (NIV)
Jethro was overjoyed to hear about the miraculous ways the LORD had delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. Upon learning how God had rescued Moses and the people, Jethro praised the LORD, acknowledging His power in saving them from Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly. – Exodus 18:11 (NIV)
Jethro proclaims the LORD as the greatest after witnessing the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. He was deeply moved by supernatural events, like the parting of the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh’s army. For Jethro, as a priest of Midian and someone who had worshipped other gods, witnessing such an impossible event led him to recognize the supremacy of the LORD. His proclamation reflects his awe and reverence for the power and greatness of God.
Jethro, being a priest, likely had a deep understanding of the divine and the supernatural. His Hebrew name Ruel suggests that he is a “friend of God,” emphasising his openness to recognizing the true God. In contrast, while the Israelites had witnessed the same miracles, their hearts had become calloused. Instead of being moved by the wonders, they struggled with faith, showing indifference or rebellion at times.
For Jethro and others like him, their proclamation of God’s greatness was based on direct witness to His mighty works—events they could not deny or explain away. However, Jethro and others like him simply hadn’t had the opportunity to serve the LORD and instead worshipped what they knew best. The Israelites, who had been given the opportunity to serve God and witness His acts firsthand, often failed to respond with the same awe, perhaps due to their familiarity and previous experiences with Him.
Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God. – Exodus 18:12 (NIV)
Jethro brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron, along with the elders of Israel, joined Moses and Jethro in a shared meal in God’s presence. The meal perhaps symbolic of a peace treaty and a sign of friendship, as Jethro, Moses, and the elders ate together, united in fellowship.
Jethro, being a priest himself, likely brought sacrifices that were influenced by his own worship practices. However, this did not seem to bother the Israelites. One reason could be that the Israelites wanted to learn how to worship from Jethro, respecting him as a priest and the father-in-law of their leader. They did not see his sacrifices as pagan, but instead joined him in fellowship supper afterwards.
However this highlights how we often accept the customs and traditions of our loved ones and family members without judgment, but we may view those outside our circle with criticism. We tend to label others’ customs as pagan or improper without compassion or understanding of their unique relationship with their Maker. We must recognize that God is the Creator of all beings and approach others with greater empathy, understanding that their devotion to God may manifest in ways different from our own.
Moses the Judge
The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. – Exodus 18:13 (NIV)
Moses became the de facto judge because, as the leader of the Israelites, he was seen as the person to whom the people could turn to seek God’s will. They desired someone with the authority and wisdom to settle their disputes, someone they believed had God’s hand upon him. In this role, Moses served as an intermediary between God and the people, guiding them in matters of justice and decision-making.
This raises another question: Why do people often seek counsel from their local church leaders instead of directly seeking God’s guidance? Is it because God Himself is inaccessible, prompting us to turn to His people for advice? However, we know that through Jesus, God has made Himself accessible to us.
People turn to other humans for counsel often because they feel overwhelmed by their circumstances and are unable to discern God’s will on their own. Humans, being easily approachable perhaps offer a sense of connection. We may also seek advice from people like us because we can sometimes sway them toward a favourable response, but we often struggle to accept the answers God gives us, especially when they go against our own desires.
Jethro’s Advice
When Jethro saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he became concerned about the overwhelming burden Moses was carrying. He observed that Moses was the only one sitting as judge, with people standing around him from morning till evening. Jethro’s concern was not merely a casual observation, but a sincere attempt to help Moses manage the immense workload.
Given their close relationship, Jethro felt comfortable speaking frankly with Moses. Perhaps, drawing from his own experience as a priest, he recognized that the system Moses had in place was unsustainable. The constant flow of disputes and the responsibility of resolving them was far too much for one person to handle. What Jethro did not realise is that Moses was powered by God and was able to bear such a heavy responsibility alone.
Jethro, not being fully aware of God’s plan, was not in the best position to offer guidance on this matter. He suggested that Moses appoint deputies to handle the judging of disputes, which would lighten his caseload. While Jethro’s intention was to ensure Moses wouldn’t be overwhelmed or cause the people to grow weary, his suggestion did not align with the specific purpose and structure God had in mind. Jethro believed Moses should focus on his primary role of representing the people before God and bringing their disputes to Him, delegating other responsibilities to capable leaders.
Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. – Exodus 18:20 (NIV)
It is worth considering whether Jethro’s visit was the catalyst for the establishment of laws for Israel or simply a coincidence. While Jethro’s advice to Moses on appointing leaders to help with the people’s disputes appears practical, Moses later references Jethro’s words as though they were a command from God (Numbers 11:16-17, Deuteronomy 1:9-18). Perhaps the commandments and laws that followed were inspired by Jethro’s visit. They helped ease Moses’ burden by creating a structured system for Israel, one that others could turn to for guidance and for handling various cases.
Moses took his father-in-law’s advice and carried out all his suggestions. He selected capable men from all of Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people, assigning them to oversee groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. These leaders acted as judges, handling the daily disputes of the people. The more challenging cases were brought to Moses, while the simpler matters were decided by the leaders themselves. Afterwards, Moses sent his father-in-law back to his own land, and Jethro returned to his country.
The sweeping changes in the way cases were handled following Jethro’s visit, along with the laws that were established after their encounter, raise the question: Did God send Jethro to Moses to teach him how to lead the people? Often, we think that someone who understands our relationship with God and has been there with us at the start of our journey with Him will be the best source of advice for our future walks with God.
However, it seems unusual that God did not directly communicate to Moses about the need for a system of laws and asked him to delegate his duties. Moses, who was consistently connected to God, (the Israelites were still receiving their daily manna and experienced God’s presence in their camp both night and day) had the privilege of speaking with God at will. Yet, in this instance, why did God not tell Moses directly what to do, and instead sent Jethro with advice.
Similarly, God never intended Aaron to be the leader of His people—otherwise, He would not have called Moses back from exile. It was Moses who out of fear of his own oration ability, kept his brother close and eventually, we saw how Aaron led Israel into sin. However, in situations when we are in constant connection with God, He speaks directly to us according to His will. If communication channels are closed, He may send messengers. But in Moses’ case, since he had open communication with God, it seems weird that Jethro’s advice did not come from God.
Years later, Israel held firmly to the laws that had been established through Jethro’s advice, using them as a measure of righteousness rather than embracing the grace of God offered through His Son. While Jethro’s recommendation to implement a system of laws may not have aligned with God’s guidance for His people at that time, God permitted Israel to be influenced by Jethro. This was part of His greater plan, leading to the arrival of His one True Messenger centuries later, who would show that righteousness is not attained through the law but only through God’s grace.
Discussion Questions
- What compels Jethro to declare the LORD as the greatest? What motivates those around us to proclaim the name of the LORD?
- Why do we categorize certain practices as pagan while turning a blind eye to others?
- What drives people to seek counsel from other humans instead of approaching God directly?
- Did God send Jethro to Moses to instruct him on how to lead the people?
The Jordan Valley 
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