The reading for this week is Exodus 18. We are approaching the climactic events on Mount Sinai. This chapter is almost like an interlude, a lull in the action before we get there. It is concerned with some details about Moses' family and Israel's administration.
18:1-5 Way back in the beginning of the book, when Moses fled Egypt, he escaped to the land of Midian. There he was taken into the household of Jethro, a priest of Midian. Moses married one of Jethro's daughters and settled down to have a family. His peaceful life in exile was interrupted, however, when he encountered the Lord in a burning bush on top of a mountain. God ordered Moses to go lead His people out of Egypt. The Lord promised to Moses, "When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
In other words, the mountain of the burning bush is the same as Mount Sinai. Returning to our present story in chapter 18, the Israelites were now approaching Mount Sinai. It is no surprise, then that Moses' father-in-law and family appeared at this point, because the Israelites were right in their neighborhood.
18:8-12 As a priest of Midian, Jethro did not serve the Lord. He probably worshiped many gods, including local gods and perhaps Egyptian ones. However, when Moses told him of all the things that God did, Jethro proclaimed, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods." He apparently was converted, offering sacrifices to God. The Lord showed his power not only for the Hebrews, but also so that all people and nations would acknowledge Him. This was seen in the Egyptians' begrudging recognition that the Hebrews' God was in control. It is seen again in Jethro's conversion.
18:13-27 This part is just about Moses' delegation of leadership among the people. It is pretty boring--OR IS IT??? Come Sunday to find out.
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