“And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God.”
Exodus 18:5 is a verse that describes the arrival of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, along with his wife and sons, to meet Moses in the wilderness. To understand the significance of this verse, let’s explore the context and the events leading up to it.
In the preceding chapters of Exodus, we see the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt through the mighty acts of God, including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites journeyed into the wilderness, where they encountered various challenges and trials.
During this time, Moses was serving as the leader and judge of the Israelites. He was responsible for settling disputes and making decisions regarding the people’s affairs. The burden of this responsibility became quite heavy for Moses, as he had to handle all the disputes and issues of the multitude of people by himself.
In Exodus 18, we find Jethro, who was a priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law, hearing about all that God had done for Moses and the Israelites. He decided to visit Moses, bringing Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and their two sons with him.
When Jethro arrived, Moses went out to meet him and bowed down in respect. They greeted each other, and Moses recounted to Jethro all the miraculous events that God had done for the Israelites, including their deliverance from Egypt.
Exodus 18:9-11 (KJV) states, “And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.”
Jethro, being a priest, recognized the power and sovereignty of the Lord. He acknowledged that the Lord had done mighty acts to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of Egypt and the hand of Pharaoh. Jethro’s response was one of worship and acknowledgment of God’s supremacy over all other gods.
As Jethro observed Moses’ role as the sole judge and decision-maker for the people, he realized that this was an unsustainable arrangement. He saw that Moses would wear himself out with this heavy responsibility. In verses 17-18, Jethro advised Moses, saying, “The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”
Jethro then suggested a solution to Moses. He advised him to appoint capable and trustworthy individuals as leaders over smaller groups of people. These leaders would help settle minor disputes and bring the significant ones to Moses. This delegation of authority would alleviate the burden on Moses and ensure that the people were properly cared for.
Moses followed Jethro’s advice, and this new system proved to be beneficial for the Israelites. Exodus 18:23 (KJV) records Moses’ response: “If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace
The arrival of Jethro and his subsequent advice to Moses in Exodus 18:5 serve as a pivotal moment in the organization and governance of the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. Jethro’s wisdom and discernment helped Moses establish a more efficient and just system for settling disputes and providing leadership to the people.
This passage teaches us the importance of seeking wise counsel and sharing the burden of responsibility. It reminds us that no one person can or should bear the weight of all the tasks alone. By delegating authority and involving others, we can promote fairness, efficiency, and shared responsibilities within our communities.
Additionally, Jethro’s recognition of God’s power and supremacy reminds us of the importance of acknowledging and worshiping the one true God. Jethro’s declaration of God’s greatness encourages us to honor and praise God for His mighty acts and deliverance in our own lives.
