Living Room Study

Exodus 18

“Blessed is the Lord, “ Jethro exclaimed, “who rescued you from Pharaoh and the power of the Egyptians, and snatched the people from the power of the Egyptians.  Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods because He did wonders at the time of the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.”  Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in—law in God’s presence.”  Exodus 18:9-12

The lesson of Israel’s exodus affected more than just Israel and Egypt. The four people groups most closely impacted were: 1) Israel, 2) Egypt, 3) Kingdoms of Canaan, 5) Moses’ Gentile (Midianite) in-laws.

Israel responded to God by following Him. Egypt responded by defying Him. The Canaanites responded by challenging Him, and Jethro responded by believing in Him.

Not since the meeting of Melchizedek and Abraham has the Bible given us such a clear indication of God’s acceptance of worship from a people other than Israel. Melchizedek was a priest-king of Salem, and Jethro was a priest of Midian. Neither were Israelites.

What is interesting about Jethro is that he burnt offerings and sacrificed to the Lord. In the presence of the Lord, Jethro and all Israel’s leaders ate a mea – Jew and Gentile, together. This is a symbol that the Lord accepts the worship of all who acknowledge Him.

The word “Acknowledgement” means more than mere intellectual ascent, or the belief that God exists. It is more of a turning from old ways and beliefs, and a turning to the ways of the Lord. It is the cessation of false religion, and the assumption of faith in YHWH that constitutes Biblical “acknowledgement”. The absence of Divine protest confirms Jethro’s heart was considered “faithful” by the Lord.

Interesting also, is the image of the goyim (Gentile) Jethro bringing Moses’ bride and children to him. In a similar way the Bible says the “nations” will carry the children of Israel back home. It is a beautiful picture of how the (mostly Gentile) Church will share the gospel with the Jewish people.

“This is what the sovereign Lord says, ‘See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.”  Isaiah 49: 22

The church, completed with Jew & Gentile believers, is called the “bride” of Messiah. Revelation 19:7

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins