SOMEBODY'S JETHRO

By Sam Rivers Jones

When it comes to the story of Moses, of course, all of our main attention and focus is typically on Moses, right?! I mean come on, he and his brother, Aaron, got to literally be total vessels for the Lord and did all the signs and wonders that God commanded to be done. And then, Moses led thousands upon thousands into their freedom out of Egypt. Can you even imagine?!

But here is where I want to pause because there is a man that often gets overlooked, and yet, had so much impact in this story. And his name is Jethro (aka Reuel).

After Moses murdered an Egyptian, he fled for his life, but little did he know God was just ordering his steps to Midian. I mean, how else would he have known where to go and who to find? His whole world was in Egypt. He grew up there. He dwelt there. He learned their culture, and he lived among royalty in his own little bubble. And yet, he ran and found himself in Midian where he would soon meet a man named Jethro.

Jethro was the priest of Midian, but even more so, he was a father to seven daughters. He was a man full of gratitude and compassion, and as soon as he received word of Moses’ heroism regarding his daughters, he asked his daughters, “Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” (Exodus 2:20 NKJV). And soon after this invitation, he became a father-in-law to Moses. Can you imagine how Moses felt? He just murdered somebody, a Pharaoh was literally after him, he wondered aimlessly into the wilderness and desert with nothing and nobody and no direction, and now, all of a sudden, he was being treated like family and being celebrated with a feast.

And because Moses knew nothing regarding shepherding or herding prior to Midian, it makes me wonder - who taught him? I’d like to think that Jethro took Moses under his wing as a father figure showing him what family really looks like, how to build an altar for the Lord, how to lead and herd in the wilderness, and how to sacrifice to the Lord too. Because in Exodus 18, we see where Jethro comes to visit Moses with Zipporah, Gershom, and Eliezer in the wilderness. And the moment Moses met them, Moses bowed down and kissed him, which lets us know that he had so much respect, love, and reverence for this man. And while Jethro is visiting Moses, Moses reveals to him all that God has done for the Israelites, and then, Jethro immediately offers sacrifices to God just by hearing the good news! Jethro wasn’t even there to witness all of the signs and wonders, but in just hearing, he rejoiced and celebrated. And on the following day, Jethro sees the burden on Moses’ shoulders and offers him insight and wisdom on how to entrust others and delegate responsibilities, (THAT IS KINGDOM MINDSET RIGHT THERE), and Moses willingly accepts all that Jethro advises him to do.

I believe so strongly that Moses didn’t just look to this man as a priest and a father-in-law, but he saw him as a spiritual father who fiercely loved others.

See, Jethro could have totally asked Moses his story and shamed him, but he didn’t.

Jethro could have found out about the murder in Egypt and rejected him, but he didn’t.

Jethro could have become envious that God would choose Moses to fulfill this huge task, but he didn’t.

Jethro had nothing but pure intentions for Moses. Envy and jealously were not an option because Jethro was there to build him up for his purpose and his calling.

He feasted with him. He loved on him. He celebrated with him. He taught him things that Moses needed to learn, and all of this helped shape Moses into the leader that he became.

Jethro serves as a perfect example of how we should be raising disciples, loving on the brokenhearted and the abandoned, and rejoicing with others, instead of competing with others.

May we always walk in the remembrance of their story. May we always have pure intentions, and may we be somebody’s Jethro.

Sam Rivers Jones