Our verse for today is Exodus 3:1.
“Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian.”
I really like this Jethro. While Moses is a towering figure in the Bible, his father-in-law deserves attention too. Jethro’s story, though brief, is compelling. We first meet him in Exodus 2:16:
“Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.”
Who was Jethro? He was the man who became Moses’ father-in-law. After Moses helped Jethro’s seven daughters at the well, Jethro invited him to share a meal with the family. Grateful for Moses’ kindness, Jethro gave him one of his daughters, Zipporah, as a wife. This raises some questions—did Jethro have the right to give his daughter away like that? Perhaps so, but in doing so, he blessed both Moses and Zipporah.
What stands out most about Jethro, though, is his wisdom. In Exodus 18, we find Jethro visiting Moses, who was then leading the Hebrews through the wilderness. With up to three million people following him, Moses was overwhelmed with the task of settling disputes from morning until night. Jethro, observing this, offered sage advice. He told Moses, “What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out.” Jethro then suggested a plan to delegate responsibilities by appointing capable men to help lead and judge smaller groups. Moses listened, and it transformed the way he managed the people. Read Exodus 18—you’ll likely side with Jethro too.
I hope to meet this wise man in heaven someday. What a conversation that will be!
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.