When Moses fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian overseer, he traveled to Midian 700 miles away! There he found safety in the simple life as a shepherd. He also found his wife, Zipporah, daughter of Jethro, priest of Midian.
That means Jethro became his father-in-law. Read this story carefully and you’ll find that Jethro was more than that to Moses.
Moses had only a short time with his parents, Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20) We know that Jochebed created a private daycare for Moses on the Nile River that saved him. We know she stayed in his life, recruited as a wet nurse for baby Moses. Then, we never hear anything more about Moses’ parents.
But we do hear from Jethro. . . .
Jethro was the first person Moses told about the burning bush. (Exodus 4:18)
Moses asked permission from Jethro to go back to Egypt to fulfill God’s call and Jethro gave his blessing for the mission. (Exodus 4: 18)
Moses sent his wife and two sons back to Jethro early in the exodus journey. Was Zipporah homesick? Did Moses think the journey was too dangerous for them? (Exodus 18:2)
After Moses defeated their first enemy, the Amalekites, Jethro visited Moses and brought Zipporah and his sons back to Moses. (Exodus 18:2)
At this reunion, Jethro affirmed and encouraged Moses and they celebrated God’s help and presence with a burnt offering sacrifice and a meal. (Exodus 18:12)
Jethro stayed at the Israelite camp with Moses for a few days. Moses admitted that he was near burn-out to Jethro. (Exodus 18:14-16) Jethro taught Moses the wisdom of delegation. (Exodus 18: 15-33). Moses listened and implemented his father-in-law’s advice. (Exodus 18:24)
Jethro went home and we never hear from him again.
Do you see the relationship that developed between Moses and Jethro? It was more like father and son, a parental mentoring that filled a need for Moses who had not grown up enjoying life with his biological father.
Do you see Jethro’s sacrifice? He could have kept his daughter and grandsons with him. Instead, he took them back to Moses. It was a family-first decision for sure. Moses may have grown up without a father, but his grandsons would not. Still, it cost Jethro
Don’t miss the life-changing lessons here. Jethro was not just the father of Moses’s wife. He became Moses' sounding board, affirmer, mentor, and leadership teacher. He didn’t replace Moses' father, but he was present in his life at critical times when Moses needed a father and mentor.
Who do you need to fulfill God’s call to raise a family, lead a ministry, teach a class, or be the bridge someone needs to find God again? God provides. He always will. We are not enough by ourselves. God always sends help.
Who is your Jethro? Who has God sent to encourage you or be a stand-in parent when yours is absent? Today is a good day to recognize how God supports you and always will. While the Lord himself will go with you (Deuteronomy 31:8), He knows we often need someone with a face and a hug. Find your Jethro and whatever God leads you to do isn’t a burden, it is the call that completes you.
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