Exodus 18:1-12
Jethro Rejoices at God's Deliverance
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1Now Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her,
3along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”
4The other son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
5Moses’ 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.
6He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent.
8Then Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.
9And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians.
10Jethro declared, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians.
11Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”
12Then 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.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jethro has heard what God did for Moses and Israel. He comes to the camp at the mountain of God with Moses' wife Zipporah and their two sons, whom he had received after Moses sent them back. Their names remember Moses' history: Gershom recalls life as a foreigner, and Eliezer recalls God's help in delivering him from Pharaoh's sword.
Moses goes out to meet his father-in-law, bows, kisses him, and welcomes him into the tent. There he tells Jethro what the LORD did to Pharaoh and Egypt for Israel's sake. He also tells him the hardships they met along the way and how God delivered them.
Jethro rejoices at this good news. He blesses the LORD for rescuing the people and declares that the LORD is greater than all other gods. Egypt treated Israel arrogantly, but its power could not prevent God's deliverance.
Jethro brings a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and Israel's elders join him in a meal in God's presence. The report of rescue becomes worship and fellowship.
Moses' account includes hardship as well as victory. That honesty does not diminish God's faithfulness; it helps Jethro see what His care has meant. The story gives God the credit and invites someone else to rejoice in Him.
Questions
1 Whom does Jethro bring to Moses?
AnswerZipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Jethro had received them after Moses sent them back.
2 What does Moses include in his account?
AnswerGod's acts against Pharaoh and Egypt, the hardships along the journey, and the LORD's deliverance. He tells more than the successful ending.
3 What does Jethro declare after hearing it?
AnswerHe blesses the LORD and says he now knows the LORD is greater than all other gods. He rejoices in Israel's rescue.
4 How does the visit lead to shared worship?
AnswerJethro brings offerings, and Aaron and the elders eat with him in God's presence. Gratitude for God's work brings them together.
What This Means for Us
You do not have to remove the difficult parts of a story to speak well of God. Moses tells Jethro about the hardships and the help. When you share an answer to prayer or a season of care, be honest about both what hurt and what sustained you.
Receive someone else's gratitude generously too. Ask what happened, listen without turning the conversation back to yourself, and thank God with them. Shared praise can strengthen a relationship when the attention stays on His faithfulness.
Prayer
We pray: God of deliverance, give us honest stories to tell and generous hearts to hear what You have done for others. Keep our testimony humble, joyful, and centered on Your faithfulness. Amen.
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