Jethro the Midianite

The title of today’s study lesson, according to our curriculum, is “Lessons from Other Faith Traditions” and you have heard the passage read out of Exodus 18 where Moses’ father-in-law, a Midianite Priest, gave Moses some very wise counsel.

I think it would be very helpful and insightful to begin with the question: Who are the Midianites?

I’m so glad you asked.

They were direct descendants of Abraham. After Abraham’s wife Sarah died, he took another wife.

Genesis 25:1–2 ESV

Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Here is the kicker: When Sarah died, Abraham was like 137 years old. Old Abraham still had a bit of swag left in him. Not sure what he had in his diet - but 6 more kids - come on!

Anyway, as you may of noted, Midian was one of Abraham’s sons through Keturah. Abraham would have instructed all his children to worship Yahweh and would have shared the story of God’s covenant with Abraham, including the promised land that he would give to Abraham and his descendants through his son Isaac.

We are told in Gen 25:6

Genesis 25:6 ESV

But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

Midian went east and he and his descendants settled. Most scholars believe the land of Midian was on both sides of the Gulf of Aqaba which is on the northern tip of the Red Sea.

Seven generations later, Moses is born - although Jewish by birth, he is raised by Egyptians. You may recall his mother placing him in a basket as a baby and floating him down the Nile hoping for God’s protection since the Pharaoh had decreed newborn Jewish males be killed. Drawn out of the water by Pharaohs daughter, he was raised as an Egyptian.

One day, he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, he intervenes, kills the Egyptian and then has to go on the run.

He flees to Midian, again intervenes in a situation -this time between Jethro’s daughter and some rude shepherds, and ends up getting married to Zipphorah, Jethro’s daughter. He lives in Midian for 40 years.

This is all God’s handiwork. Moses was raised Egyptian. He would not have known the history of his own people. Jethro was a Midianite. Although not from the line of Isaac and Jacob, he would have known all that had been passed down through Abraham.

Moses is attributed to writing the book of Genesis - much of what he would have captured likely came from the instruction he received from Jethro.

When we pick up the story in today’s passage, we find ourselves on the other side of the Exodus. Moses had already led the Hebrews slaves out of Egypt and through the parted Red Sea. They were now hiking through the wilderness and learning what it means to be God’s redeemed people.

In fact, I’d like to back up a few verses here in chapter 18 and share what happens when Jethro arrives.

Exodus 18:5–12 CEB

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought Moses’ sons and wife back to him in the desert where he had set up camp at God’s mountain. He sent word to Moses: “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you along with your wife and her two sons.” Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him. They asked each other how they were doing, and then they went into the tent. Moses then told his father-in-law everything that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians on Israel’s behalf, all the difficulty they had on their journey, and how the Lord had rescued them. Jethro was glad about all the good things that the Lord had done for Israel in saving them from the Egyptians’ power. Jethro said, “Bless the Lord who rescued you from the Egyptians’ power and from Pharaoh’s power, who rescued the people from Egypt’s oppressive power. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods, because of what happened when the Egyptians plotted against them.” Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought an entirely burned offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron came with all of Israel’s elders to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in God’s presence.

Jethro is the first Gentile in the Bible to have his conversion recorded. He heard the Good News of God’s power and presence, he believed, he praised God and he offered a sacrifice. He then was welcomed to the table to eat with Israel’s elders.

God’s covenant with Abraham was being fulfilled. Gen 12:3

Genesis 12:3 ESV

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Now, with that background in mind, Jethro watches Moses as he struggles to fill the role of leader.

To live into all that God has called us to be requires both divine inspiration and human wisdom.

I can use my own calling into ministry as an example. The Lord called me into ministry. I discerned this during a time of prayer and upheaval in my own life. Circumstances were changing, doors were closing, and I was seeking guidance from the Lord as to where he was leading me. I had sensed for some time that pastoral ministry may well be in my future - but I did not feel I was ready. So I was contemplating other occupations when the Lord clearly spoke to my heart, “why are avoiding what I have called you to do?” I through out a test before the Lord, I needed affirmation from both my wife and a complete stranger. I received both by the end of that very weekend. It wasn’t long after that I received affirmation and blessing from my church family. That was all God’s doing - his inspiration. But that did not mean that I was instantly ready to lead well. I needed some instruction, some training, being a pastor does not come naturally - at least that has not been my experience. I needed to learn from others, mostly from within the faith community. But there were skills and knowledge that I pulled from my business background and lessons taught by other leaders, not always Christian, but people who learned how to improve public speaking, organization, empathetic listening, and a variety of other lessons.

God is revealed throughout all of creation. He has designed every human mind. When we see something that works well - we are free to put that into practice.

Jethro was already a leader. He was the high priest of Midian, his people looked to him for answers and guidance. He had been trained by someone on how to lead well and now it was his turn to share his wisdom with Moses.

Moses was on the road to burnout. He had taken on way too much, tried to be everything for everybody. That is a trap many fall into.

[Share Adam Hamilton story - pg 127]

Jethro may have been coming out a different faith community, but he had wisdom to share and he cared too much about his son-in-law to not intervene.

He saw Moses’ frustration and weariness as he attempted to settle ceaseless disputes among the people of Israel, so he suggested that Moses divide the work through a system of godly judges. Moses listened and followed Jethro’s admonitions.

That is the mark of a good leader. The humility to listen and all others to correct you.

In his book Moses: The Reluctant Prophet, Adam Hamilton identifies Jethro as history’s first management consultant. As such, he taught Moses how to delegate.

First, Jethro instructed Moses to choose the right people, persons characterized as capable, respectful of Yahweh, and trust worthy. That is so important - no matter if we are talking church leadership, business leadership or government leadership. Choose the right people - people of good character.

Second, Jethro told Moses to offer training and clear instruction concerning the duties of the selected judges.

Third, Jethro recommended that Moses empower and authorize the leaders in the presence of the people they would be serving. Making the chain of command clear to all people.

Finally, Jethro suggested that Moses make it clear to the judges what they could decide on their own and what needed his approval. Important matters needed to come to Moses, everyday matters they could handle themselves.

Great recommendations that have stood the test of time. The work of the church, and the overall happiness of the church, is better when we are all working together and the load is shared by all.

When we let go of our need to have all the right answers and we begin to hear the advice and wisdom of others, communities become stronger.

[Pray the prayer on p135]