Exodus 18.1-27

Jethro's Advice: Exodus 18.1-27

Moses' father-in-law Jethro hears of all God has done for Moses and Israel, and journeys to the wilderness along with Moses' wife Zipporah and their two children, Gershom and Eliezer.

On these names
Gershom is named with Moses' explanation, "I have been an alien in a foreign land" and Eliezer with the explanation: "The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh." Eliezer seems a bit...anachronistic, no? This is probably because the naming ceremony occurs at a point in the story after the escape from Egypt. The name speaks to the events surrounding the naming. So in effect, it is the bible itself (or the authors at least) that name Eliezer. There is no way Eliezer could have been named what he was by Moses, because that defies the chronology of the bible. But the author does not worry about Moses' chronology. Rather, it is the story's chronology that is important. Eliezer's name makes perfect sense to this author, given the events at the time of his introduction (as opposed to his birth).

Moses goes out to meet his father-in-law and the two greet each other and go into the tent. Jethro, a priest of Midian, rejoices for all the Lord has done for Israel:

‘Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because he delivered the people from the Egyptians, when they dealt arrogantly with them.’
(Ex. 18.10-11)

Jethro offers up a burnt offering sacrifice to God. Aaron and the elders join in a meal with Jethro - a communion in the non-Christian sense of the word. [And this is coming from an Egyptian priest! Do I smell a conversion? Or is that just the sacrifice?]

The next day Moses sits as a judge from morning to evening. Jethro asks him what's up, to which Moses replies that he settles disputes because he knows the statutes and instructions of God. Jethro responds that this is ridiculous - Moses will surely wear himself out! He offers some advice: teach the people the statutes of God. And also delegate responsibility among trustworthy men to settle minor disputes. Moses will still settle the major disputes, but it will be less of a burden.

Moses does so, and Jethro returns to Midian.

Tomorrow: To Mount Sinai.