Exodus 18

“‘Praise the Lord,’ Jethro exclaimed, ‘who rescued you from Pharaoh and the power of the Egyptians and snatched the people from the power of the Egyptians. Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods, because He did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.’ Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in God’s presence.” Exodus 18:10-12 (HCSB)

The lesson of Israel’s exodus affected more than just Israel and Egypt. The four people groups most closely impacted were 1) Israel, 2) Egypt, 3) the Kingdoms of Canaan, and 5) Moses’ Gentile (Midianite) in-laws.

Israel responded to God by following Him. Egypt responded by defying Him. The Canaanites responded by challenging Him, and Jethro responded by believing in Him.

Not since the meeting of Melchizedek and Abraham has the Bible given us such a clear indication of God’s acceptance of worship from a people other than Israel. Melchizedek was a priest-king of Salem, and Jethro was a priest of Midian. Neither were Israelites.

Interestingly, Jethro is that he burnt offerings and sacrificed to the Lord. In the presence of the Lord, Jethro, and all Israel’s leaders ate a meal – Jew and Gentile, together. This symbolizes that the Lord accepts the worship of all who acknowledge Him.  

The word “Acknowledgement” means more than mere intellectual assent or the belief that God exists. It is more of a turning from old ways and beliefs and a turning to the ways of the Lord. The cessation of false religion and the assumption of faith in YHWH constitutes Biblical “acknowledgment.” The absence of Divine protest indicates that Jethro’s heart was considered “faithful” by the Lord.

Interestingly, there is also the image of the goyim (Gentile) Jethro bringing Moses’ bride and children to him. Similarly, the Bible says the “nations” will someday carry the children of Israel back home. It is a beautiful picture of how the (predominantly Gentile) Church will share the gospel with the Jewish people.    

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their hips.’” Isaiah 49:22 (NIV)

The church, composed of Jew & Gentile believers, is called the “bride” of Messiah. (Revelation 19:7)