Exodus 18 Sound Advice
Jethro brings Moses’ family to him. Jethro sees the demand on Moses and offers him some sound advice concerning his daily duties. Delegate!
Moses sent Zipporah, Gershom and Eliezer home to her father in the beginning of the plagues. He did not want his family endangered or even stressed by the process Israel was enduring. Now that they are a free people it is time to reunite the family.
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Jethro has been caring for his daughter and her children for many months. It is always difficult for children who have been on their own to come back under their parent’s roof but Zipporah adjusted with dignity and obedience. The boys enjoyed spending time with their grandfather, helping him with his herds and daily chores. They made a good team together but they all still missed their Abba, Moses.
Jethro kept his ear to the ground for information about Moses and the Israelites. First there were a few wild stories being shared in town about the Egyptians drowning in the Red Sea. Nothing was consistent in the stories except that Israel’s God had done a mighty work on their behalf. That had been a few weeks ago.
Yesterday a caravan came in bringing a story of Israel defeating Amalek in battle. This was amazing to Jethro, after all he had heard about Israel from Moses while he lived in Midian. This was definitely a good sign that it was time to bring Moses’ family back together.
Before the caravan left to make their camp for the night Jethro questioned them about their story. “Where did this take place?”
“Just outside of Rephidim” replied the leader of the caravan.
“Did you hear who was Israel’s leader?” Jethro was hoping to hear Moses’ name mentioned in the story somewhere.
“We heard that it was a man named Moses. He is supposed to be the one who also told Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go from Egypt. It took a while, but Pharaoh had to listen.”
“Did you hear any other stories about this group” asked Jethro. He was hoping to find confirmation of some of the stories he had heard as of late.
“The most outlandish one is how their God parted the waters of the Red Sea and let them walk across on DRY ground. I would dismiss it out of hand, were it not for how they said that when their God let the waters go back, the Egyptians were in the middle of the sea and were all drowned; them and their horses. I have personally seen the bodies rotting on the sides of the Red Sea. Make of it what you will. But I’M not going to cross their God!”
“A wise decision my friend!” replies Jethro. “One I think I will also join with you in.”
Jethro decided then and there that he HAD to go and see Moses and bring his family to him. Jethro didn’t know for certain if Moses and the people would still be in Rephidim when he arrived, but he figured he could trail them until he caught up with them.
When Jethro got home that evening he called to Zipporah.
“I have a story to tell you about Moses and the Israelites.”
“What is this tale Abba? And how did you come to hear of it?”
“I heard of it through a caravan that passed by earlier today. It is how Israel’s God fought for them and brought them out with His mighty hand!”
“So, they are free of Egypt now?”
“They are indeed free! And Egypt paid a hefty price for their freedom. I don’t have all the details, but I have heard that the God of Moses parted the Red Sea for His people, then closed it on their pursuers from Egypt. The dead lined the shores!”
Jethro pauses a moment before sharing his plans for their future. “Ziporah, it’s time you rejoined your husband. Your sons need their Abba. We will travel to him together.”
Moses’ sons had accompanied their Ima and heard the stories their grand Abba shared. They began jumping up and down with excitement at their grand Abba’s final words. Ziporah laughed at her sons’ antics.
Morning came and the family gathered what they would need for their journey. Ziporah packed all her little family’s belongings on one donkey, as they would not be returning for them. As soon as all was assembled, and their meal finished, they set out for Rephidim. Jethro led the donkey on which Zipporah rode on, while Gershom and Eliezer each led a donkey, laden with provisions for the family. Just before departing, Jethro prayed for the Lord to lead them on their journey to join Moses.
Three days later, Jethro spotted the huge camp of Israel. There was no mistaking the size of this group. As they drew closer a couple of sentries met them and inquired as to their journey.
“I am Jethro and this is my daughter, Zipporah, who is the wife of Moses. These are his sons. Do you know where we can find him?”
“We can take you to him.” The group fall in behind the scouts and made their way toward Moses’ tent. As they near the camp one of the sentries dispatches a runner to let Moses know they are coming.
The runner makes it to Moses in no time flat. “Moses! You have visitors coming!”
Moses looks up at the runner, who is now standing beside him. “Who is it?”
“He says he is your father in law, Jethro. He is also bringing your wife and sons.”
Moses jumps to his feet instantly. “Where are they? Which direction?”
The runner points Moses in the right direction. Moses takes off at a quick pace. As soon as he got to the group he bowed down at Jethro’s feet. “Father, I’m honored to welcome you and am forever grateful for your care of my family in my absence. Please, will you join me at my tent for a meal?”
Jethro puts his hand on Moses’ shoulder and pats him. “I would love to join you for a meal. As for caring for our family in your absence, it was my pleasure. But I am honored to turn my daughter and her sons over to you once again.”
Moses rose, gave his father in law a kiss and then the group made their way to Moses’ tent. While Moses settled his family, Joshua dismissed all the people who were waiting to have Moses hear their issues. “Moses’ family has come to him today. He will hear your concerns tomorrow.” The people were not happy but they obeyed nonetheless.
As Jethro and Moses settled in Moses’ tent, Miriam and Zipporah began making preparations for the evening meal. This would be a family celebration. After greeting their Abba, Gershom and Eliezer go off to explore the camp.
“Jethro, you will not believe all that the Lord has done for Israel! He sent me to stand before Pharaoh, with my brother Aaron, and demand that he let Israel go. Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and the Lord hardened it even more, so that His works would be told throughout the generations. He sent plagues on Egypt that brought Pharaoh to his knees and, for a time, when he would consent to let Israel go. But he went back on his word time and time again.
“First there was the plague of blood, where ALL the waters of Egypt were turned to blood, even what was already in the pots. Next the Lord sent frogs. SO many frogs that they covered the land, including invading every house. Next God sent gnats to torment the land. The very dust became gnats and they were EVERYWHERE! Then the Lord made a distinction between Egypt and Israel. The rest of the plagues only fell on Egypt. The first of these was a plague of flies. The whole of Egypt was filled with them. Even Pharaoh’s throne room was buzzing with their presence. Next the Lord killed all Egypt’s livestock. There wasn’t a cow, donkey, oxen, camel, sheep, or goat left when the Lord finished. Then He cursed the Egyptians with boils. They were in misery and covered from head to foot with these sores. Next the Lord sent hail so strong that it flattened crops and killed any man or beasts in the fields. The Lord forewarned the people of this plague, and many of Egypt heeded the Lord’s warning and protected their servants and livestock by bringing them in. Next the Lord sent locust. They covered the land and ate EVERY green thing in Egypt, but Goshen, where the children of Israel lived was still lush and untouched. Next the Lord sent a darkness so black that it could be felt as well as seen. It was a spiritual darkness as well as physical. The Egyptians laid where they were for three days; not moving an inch. The last plague was the worst of all. EVERY firstborn male of EVERY home, not covered with the blood of the sacrifice the Lord commanded, died that night. It was the night we were thrust out of Egypt. The night the angel of death visited Egypt and passed over the homes of those who obeyed the Lord.”
“That is AMAZING! It is hard to believe that Pharaoh waited so long to relent. I wouldn’t have thought he would be so stubborn. What happened to Pharaoh after that? I’ve heard tell there was some kind of incident at the Red Sea.”
“Oh Jethro, you would have been SO amazed, if you had been there with us. After we left Egypt, the Lord led us to the sea. The Lord actually led us in a circle, to make Pharaoh think we were lost and without direction. It took us a few days to arrive at His destination by the sea, as our numbers were so large. While we were gone from Egypt, Pharaoh changed his mind again. He came after us with all his army.”
“ALL HIS ARMY! Oh Moses! What did you do?”
“We obeyed the Lord.”
“And?”
“And the Lord opened up the sea! He separated the water into two walls, one on the right and one on the left and made a path of DRY LAND for Israel to cross on.”
“DRY land?”
“Yes! As dry as the ground beneath our feet right now.”
“AMAZING!”
“Egypt was right on our heels, but the Lord kept them from reaching us. Pharaoh and his armies followed us into the sea. The dry land began to turn to mud under the chariots of Pharoah. The chariots were about half way across at this point. The soldiers were so committed to catching us and bringing us back that they didn’t notice the danger they were in. After the very last of our company had made it safely to the other side, the Lord instructed me to release the waters to return to their natural position. EVERY ONE of the Egyptians following us drown in the sea that day. It was a tragic loss of life but an awesome deliverance for Israel.”
“There is NO God like Israel’s! I had heard bits and pieces of that story but many didn’t believe it was true. I wish I could have witnessed it myself.”
“That wasn’t the end of the Lord’s intervention on our behalf.”
“Really? Tell me. What other wonders has the God of Israel done for His people?”
“One night He provided us with meat so plentiful that ALL the people were filled. He also provides us daily with bread straight from Heaven.”
“Bread from Heaven? What is it like?”
“You will be able to see and taste it yourself soon. Tomorrow morning you will bear witness to this miracle too.”
“I look forward to that!”
“The Lord also provided His people with water to drink on two separate occasions. The first was at Mira where He turned bitter water sweet. The second time was here, at Rephidim, where water flowed from a rock; enough for ALL to drink including our flocks and herds.”
“That’s a LOT of water!”
“Yes it is. I’m wondering if that is part of why Amalek attacked us; to get this water for themselves.”
“I have heard of your battle. Tell me more about it.”
“Amalek came up at us without provocation. We were fortunate that the sentries on the outskirts of the camp saw them in time. Joshua mobilized the men and armed them with the plunder we had taken from Egypt’s dead at the Red Sea. I stood watch with the Lord’s staff, that He gave us, from the hilltop. I was astounded to see that as long as my arms were raised with His staff, Israel prevailed. When my arms grew too heavy to lift, Amalek prevailed.”
“My goodness! Surely you couldn’t hold your arms up forever. How did you finally defeat them under those circumstances?”
“Aaron and Hur held my arms aloft for me. They supported me throughout the entire battle. By the time the sun began to set, Joshua and his men had won the battle.”
“I sound like I’m repeating myself over and over again but that is AMAZING!”
“I agree! It is hard to come up with another word for what the Lord has done. As a symbol of our gratitude, and desire to honor Him, we made an altar and dedicated it to Him on that very hilltop.”
“I would like to honor the God of Israel myself. As a priest of Midian, I want to pay tribute to the God above all other gods. May I offer Him a sacrifice?”
“I believe He would welcome your sacrifice with gladness.”
Moses and Jethro walked to the altar Moses had built after the battle. Jethro brought his own donkey forward and sacrificed it on the altar to the Lord. “Blessed be the Lord who has delivered His own out of the hands of their oppressors. He has shown His greatness above all other gods by how He has dealt with Pharaoh and Egypt. Blessed be the God of Israel!”
After the sacrifice was offered Moses and Jethro asked Aaron and all the elders to join them in the meal Miriam and Zipporah were preparing. They had a wonderful meal together that evening. Jethro enjoyed hearing the stories again of the Lord’s provision for Israel from the other’s point of view. Aaron even shared some of the looks they encountered when confronting Pharaoh.
That night Jethro was given Moses’ bed as the guest of honor. Accommodations were also set up for Moses’ family. They would now be a permanent part of the children of Israel. Jethro, however, had duties he would return to in a few days. Moses’ duties would resume first thing in the morning.
When morning came Moses first thoughts were to ensure that Jethro see the miracle of the daily mana from the Lord. “Abba, I have something to show you. I promised that you would see the Lord’s hand this morning. Follow me and behold His wonders.”
Jethro followed Moses from the tent. Moses led Jethro to the field just outside of the camp. The ground was covered with the fine flake of the mana. Women were already gathering their portion for the day.
“What is this” asked Jethro as he bent down and took some of it in his hand.
“It is bread from heaven. The women use it as flour and bake it into bread.”
Jethro brought what was in his hand to his mouth and tasted of it. “It tastes sweet!”
“And it is delicious once it is baked. The only thing needed to make it into delicious bread is water, and a little work on the women’s part.”
“AMAZING!”
Moses laughed. “There’s that word again.”
Jethro laughed too. “Very true. But I can think of no better word.”
“I have to return to my tent so I can begin my work of the day.”
“I will accompany you. May I help?”
“You may observe and offer suggestions, should you feel moved by the Lord to do so. But my job is to judge for the people, between one another and the Lord.”
“That sounds like a weighty task.”
“It is. But it is the one I must carry.”
Moses and Jethro arrive back at Moses’ tent. Moses then takes up his customary place. It was time to attend to the people’s needs. There was already a long line awaiting Moses when they arrived.
One after another, they came to present their issues to him. Moses’ job was to listen to their concerns, consult with the Lord in his spirit, and render a decision based on what the Lord showed him. This went on ALL DAY LONG. He only broke briefly for meals and to relieve himself when necessary.
Jethro watched Moses as he ministered to the people. He could see the toll this task took on him as the day progressed. He thought to himself, “Moses will wear himself out at this rate. This task is too much for one man, even if that man is Moses.”
When evening came, the crowds left Moses. It was time for the evening meal. Moses’ shoulders dropped and he laid his chin to his chest in exhaustion. Jethro stepped over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. He bent down and looked Moses in the eye.
“What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand round you from morning till evening?” (Exodus 18:14).
Moses raised his head and looked at Jethro with pure innocence. “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and His laws” (Exodus 18:15b-16).
“What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone…” Jethro helped Moses to his feet and the two of them walked into the tent. As soon as they made it through the door, Jethro steered Moses to a pillow and motioned for him to sit. Then he continued; “…Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” (Exodus 18:17-23).”
Moses thought about what Jethro had said. It resonated well with his spirit. “I will do as you advise Jethro. Thank you for your counsel.”
The next morning Moses began by calling Aaron, Hur and Joshua to him. “My wife’s Abba gave me so very sound advice last night. I believe it was from the Lord.” Moses shared with them all that Jethro had advised. “I must go and judge between the people for now. I trust you three to come up with names of the men who would fit these requirements. We will go over them this evening and bring them to the Lord.”
Moses’ three closest advisors began working together to come up with a list of names of men who fit the criteria laid out. That evening, they presented Moses with their list. Together, they brought each name to the Lord and asked Him to guide them in their new roll.
It took three days for Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Jethro to complete the new organizational structure and to inform the people of the expectations within it. The people adopted it with little resistance as it meant that their issues would be heard in a much shorter timeframe than having to wait for their opportunity to stand before Moses.
Moses watched as the new structure began to dwindle those standing before him to two or three issues a day for the next two days. The next day was the Sabbath, and there would be no issues brought that day. Instead, Moses spent this day with his family. It would be the last day with his father in law for some time.
“Jethro, I want to thank you for your advice and for helping me implement it. I don’t know how long I could have continued the way things were going. I believe the Lord sent you to me at just the right time.”
“I do too Moses. I’m glad I could be of service to you, to the people, and to God Himself. It was an honor sharing His leading in my spirit with you. I believe you are well prepared to continue on in His work. I wish it were otherwise, but I must take my leave of you tomorrow morning. I have many duties waiting on my return.”
“I want to also thank you for bringing me my family. I pray that the loss of their able hands won’t make your tasks too difficult.”
Finally the family retired for the night. Their dreams were sweet as they enjoyed their final hours together. In the morning Jethro would begin his journey home. Miriam and Zipporah had already packed his provisions for the journey. All that was left was the final farewell.
Morning dawned bright and clear. Gershom and Eliezer were the first to rise to bid their grand Abba a safe journey. After the morning meal was completed, the boys walked with their grand Abba as far as the sentries standing guard outside the camp. They watched until he had faded from sight. They would miss him and his gentle ways, but they were happy to be back with their Abba. This was really where they belonged.
(to be continued)
Father God, thank You for reuniting Moses and his family. I know how hard it is to be away from your family for a long time. When my children and I lived on the east coast I felt so alone. Coming home was a blessing! Thank You for bringing us home.
Thank You also for bringing my daughter and her family home. I felt so helpless when they were in Arizona all alone. The hardest part was that they weren’t leaning on You on their own. They accepted my prayers for them but seldom sent up any themselves. They still have trouble in that area but I believe they are making progress. Kaden speaks a LOT about prayer; him praying and asking for prayers too. I LOVE seeing that!
Sharing what You are doing and what You have done is SO inspiring, for me and for others who hear the stories. I think those stories are what are softening my kid’s hearts. Please don’t let them turn into Israel’s attitude; “what have You done for me lately?” Have them, and me, looking forward with confidence from the past. No fear; only faith because we know the One who is ALWAYS faithful!