Exodus 18: 1-12
1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of
everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD
had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah,
his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named
Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 4 and
the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he
saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together
with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped
near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law
Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.” 7 So Moses went out
to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each
other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about
everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and
about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved
them. 9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had
done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said,
“Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of
Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I
know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who
had treated Israel arrogantly.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a
burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders
of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.
Title: Sharing is
a blessing
Message: Through
our testimony, nonbelievers see God’s wonderful deeds, feel God’s existence and
eventually realize that God indeed is the mightiest of all. Jethro is Moses’ father-in-law but his belief
was different from Moses’. Nevertheless, Moses shared all that he experienced with
Jethro, both pleasant and unpleasant. He shared God’s wonderful deeds and this
testimony made the priest realize God’s distinction from all other gods. Hence,
the Midianite ended up glorifying Moses’ incomparable God.
Promise to Claim: God will
make Himself known to all. His unsurpassed might will amaze those who refuse to
believe in Him and will eventually lead them to enlightenment and
acknowledgment of Him.
Command to Obey: Share,
share God’s word and works to all for them to know how great our God is and for
them to eventually believe that there is one real God, one real creator of all.
Warning to Heed: “…the LORD
is greater than all other gods,” and He will demonstrate His might before all and
provide deliverance to those who undergo ill treatment (v. 11).
Application: I will
keep on sharing God’s word. My life especially those difficulties that I
underwent and overcame will be a testimony of His presence and might. These I
will share to others in all honesty for them to know how wonderful, merciful
and lawful my God is.