Sunday, January 28, 2007

Exodus 18

Yahweh: Greater than all gods


(1) Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro*, the priest of Midian**, heard about everything God*** had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt.


*Jethro: In Exodus 2:18, Jethro is called "Reuel", which means "friend of God" or "friend of Elohim". Some believe that Jethro is, instead, the son of Reuel. Reuel means "friend of God", while Jethro means "excellence". Reuel was apparently his personal name, while Jethro may have been a more official or honorary name.



**Midian: The Midianites seem to have traveled extensively in the desert regions. R. A. Cole reasons that since they later were enemies of Israel, it is unlikely that these traditions would have been made up about Israel’s great lawgiver. - www.bible.org/netbible/exo2.htm. Midian was the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah after Sarah's death. Midianites were virtually the rulers of Arabia, being the dominant tribe. It was to one of their caravans that Joseph was sold (Genesis 37:28, 36).


***God: Elohim


(2) Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah*, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in.


*Zipporah: When did Moses send her back to her father? We don't know for sure. But, it might be when Zipporah was forced to circumcise their son, and she accused Moses of being a bloody man (Exodus 4:25-26).
Possibly, Moses saw that she, like Eve, would actually hinder him from doing what God had called him to do!


(3) (Moses’ first son was named Gershom*, for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”


*Gershom sounds like a Hebrew term that means “a foreigner there.”


(4) His second son was named Eliezer*, for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”)


*Eliezer means “God is my helper.”


(5) Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God.


(6) Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.”


   Why did Jethro have to send a message ahead? Perhaps, he wasn't sure how Moses would receive him.


(7) So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent.


(8) Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles.


(9) Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.


(10) “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt!


   He had not seen the wonders but he does understand fully the one outstanding fact of the wonderful deliverance out of Egyptian hands. What amazed him was that Yahweh had delivered Israel from the powerful Egyptians, and he could only rejoice in it.


(11) I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”


   It is possible Jethro knew this before, because he was the priest of Midian (Exodus 18:1). But when he heard of God's great works over the gods of Egypt, it brought this truth to Jethro more clearly than before.


(12) Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God*. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.


*God: Elohim


(13) The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.


(14) When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”


(15) Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God*.


*God: Elohim


(16) When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees* and give them his instructions.”


*decrees: This is before the giving of the law. These words indicate that the law may have already been given, which would indicate that the transactions mentioned here are not in chronological order. This incident may have been placed here to contrast with the treatment the Hebrews received from the Amalekites.


(17) “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.


(18) “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.


   Jethro concludes his evaluation of Moses' actions with the words, "You cannot do it alone." Many of us men have been taught to be fully independent. To ask for help is a sign of weakness, supposedly. Only God doesn't need help. We need help.


(19) Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God* be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God*, bringing their disputes to him.


*God: Elohim


(20) Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.


(21) But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God* and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.


*God: Elohim


   Yet these "capable, honest men" (except Joshua and Caleb if they were two of those selected) died during the 40 years. Some may have even been leaders in some of the rebellions against Moses!


(22) They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.


(23) If you follow this advice, and if God* commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”


*God: Elohim


(24) Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.


   Moses could've reacted like most men - been upset that his father-in-law would suggest he do something better or interfere in his business. Much to Moses' credit, he was teachable; when Jethro said the thing that you do is not good, Moses listened to Jethro. Moses knew how to not bow to the complaints of the children of Israel (Exodus 17:3), but also knew how to hear good advice from a man like Jethro.


(25) He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.


   The apostles did something similar in the book of Acts (chapter 6) when they were too busy taking care of the widows, etc. and assigned such tasks to men like Stephen and Philip so they could devote themselves to preaching, prayer and study. Paul gave the same counsel to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2.


(26) These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.


(27) Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.


   But, Numbers 10:29-31 implies that Moses may have convinced Jethro's son, Hobab, to stay with them to act as a guide in the wilderness. But, we're not told whether Hobab went with Moses or not: One day Moses said to his brother-in-law, Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, “We are on our way to the place the Lord promised us, for he said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised wonderful blessings for Israel! ”But Hobab replied, “No, I will not go. I must return to my own land and family.” “Please don’t leave us,” Moses pleaded. “You know the places in the wilderness where we should camp. Come, be our guide. If you do, we’ll share with you all the blessings the Lord gives us.” Some also believe that Hobab was another name for Jethro.






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