30 Amazing Bible Stories You May Not Know

#28 Jethro, The World's Most Famous Father-in-Law

Meet Jethro From Scripture

Exodus 2:15-21 --
- V. 15 -- Moses and Zipporah met by a well (as had Jacob and Rachel, and where Isaac's wife Rachel was found).
- V. 16 -- 17 -- why did the shepherds drive away the daughters of the priest?
- V. 18 -- Why is Jethro called Reuel?
Exodus 3:1 -- He was father-in-law to Moses and a priest of Midian.
- What kind of priest is Jethro?
- Why the backside of the wilderness? Wouldn't a priest be afforded a better location?
Exodus 4:18 -- Moses seeks permission to return to Egypt.
- Why does he need his father-in-law's permission?
- Why is Jethro called Yeter or Jether?
Exodus 18 -- Jethro's Return and Advice
- Vv. 1-6 -- Jethro comes to Moses, along with Moses' wife and children. This takes place on the heels of the victory over the Amalekites.
- Vv. 7-8 -- Jethro learns details of the Exodus experience.
- Vv. 9-12 -- Does Jethro convert to Judaism?
  - Based on the word rejoiced in v. 9, many believe that Jethro converted to Judaism through circumcision. The word chadad“sharp" and chadah“rejoice," but not the normal word for rejoice. See Job 3:6 where it is also used.
  - Verses 10-12 sure sound like a conversion testimony.
- Verses 13-26 -- Jethro gives advice
  - At this point, the written law was not given. Therefore,“mini-dispensation" between the Exodus and the written Law (the Torah).
- Verse 27 -- Jethro departs back to Midian. Was he changing his mind about his conversion?
Numbers 10: 29-32 -- Raguel the Midianite.
- We now have the fourth name used of Jethro in the Scripture.
- Is this return the same as Exodus 18:27, or did he come and depart twice?
Judges 1:16 -- Jethro's Descendants
- Now Jethro is called the Kenite, and his descendants are said to have entered the Promised Land, giving insight to Jethro's previous departures.

Questions About Jethro from Scripture

“a man without a country?" Tradition says that he had been an advisor of the Pharaoh and had sided with the Jews against making them slaves. This had caused him disrespect among the Amalekites and the Midianites. (Note: Jewish sages have differing traditions on this matter).
What kind of priest was Jethro? Maybe not even a priest at all. See 2 Samuel 8:18 and 20:26, where kohen is translated chief ruler.
Why does he have such power of Moses? It appears the two may have made a loyalty agreement, Moses serving Jethro in exchange for his daughter and for protection and provision.
“come and go" rather than stay with the Israelites? It is unknown, but not hard to speculate that he may have struggled with allegiances.
Why so many names? We are not fully sure. Jewish teaching would be that each name refers to various aspects of his life.

Random Practical Lessons From the Life of Jethro

Jethro is a man who is as good or bad as you want to make him“what you hear" may not be “what you get," especially when it comes to people.
Jethro is certainly a man that has a surprising role in the exodus of the Hebrew nation into its promised land. One never really knows who God is going to use. Today, He uses men and women who allow themselves to be used.
Jethro *appears to be *“chameleon" like Jethro can be used of God.

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