#167 In Laws

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away, 3 and her two sons, of whom [a]one was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have been a [b]sojourner in a foreign land.” 4 [c]The other was named [d]Eliezer, for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

5 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses[e]in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. 6 He [f]sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.” 7 Then Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had befallen them on the journey, and how the Lord had delivered them. 9 Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, [g]in delivering[h]them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 So Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; [i]indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against [j]the people.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat [k]a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Jethro reunites Moses with his wife and children, and like the name of his son, Gershom, the presence of family must be a blessing to the man without a country. It comes with the blessing and fellowship of his father in law, a gentile, who will partake of the bread from heaven. He comes with the attitude of humility, and reacts with praise to the God who has delivered Israel. He acknowledges God for who He is, greater than all the gods. He was not there, but his reaction to the story leads him to an offering. Many of those who witnessed the miracles did not respond this way. 

"I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father."39They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40"But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do.…John 8:38-40