The Bible doesn't say why Moses had sent Zipporah and his sons home to her family. Maybe it was that "bridegroom of blood" comment she made, but I think it was probably the weight of the mission before him.
He needed to focus on confronting Pharaoh, without the burden of his role as father, protector, husband, and provider.
Did he send for them once the danger from Pharaoh had passed? Perhaps. Somehow Jethro knew where he was even without cell phones or a Life 360 app.
When Jethro heard what God had done for the Israelites, he rejected all other gods and worshipped Jehovah - God alone. Then he offered Moses some management tips and went home to Midian.
This chapter seems, at first glance, incidental. How is our understanding of God enhanced by this account? The Bible says that all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16) so what do we learn from this chapter?
First, God desires reconciliation in our relationships. Whatever our differences, God is a god of reconciliation. He cares so much about mending relationships that He sent His Son to suffer and die so that we, while we were enemies of God, might be reconciled to Him. (Romans 5:8)
God also will go to great lengths to make Himself known to those who are far off. God orchestrated a separation between Moses and his wife that led her father to a new and deeper understanding of God. God can use any circumstance to bring us closer to Him.
Finally, God can use those young in the faith to give wise counsel. It would have been easy for Moses to reject Jethro's advice, to say, "When was the last time you led a group of 600,000 men, not including women and children? You've only just figured out that there is no god like our God!"
Sometimes fresh eyes can see a problem more clearly. Fresh faith dares greater things. I'm reminded of a church which called a young man to be their senior pastor about fifteen years ago even though he had no experience as a lead pastor. He cast a vision that many would think impossible in this age where many churches are aging, dwindling, or closing their doors. He said that the vision for this church would be to plant 1000 new churches in this generation. In pursuit of this audacious vision, the church has grown from 300 to about 12,000 and has planted over 250 churches, increasing the number of church plants each year. It is on track to achieve this vision in less time than expected.
Passion and audacious faith are more effective than education and experience. Education and experience are valuable only if we don't let education replace our passion or experience dampen our faith.
Paul told Timothy, "Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) Where have you seen God work mightily through someone young -- or young in the faith? Have you ever been inspired by the faith and passion of someone new to faith in Christ? I'd love to hear your story!
He needed to focus on confronting Pharaoh, without the burden of his role as father, protector, husband, and provider.
Did he send for them once the danger from Pharaoh had passed? Perhaps. Somehow Jethro knew where he was even without cell phones or a Life 360 app.
When Jethro heard what God had done for the Israelites, he rejected all other gods and worshipped Jehovah - God alone. Then he offered Moses some management tips and went home to Midian.
This chapter seems, at first glance, incidental. How is our understanding of God enhanced by this account? The Bible says that all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16) so what do we learn from this chapter?
First, God desires reconciliation in our relationships. Whatever our differences, God is a god of reconciliation. He cares so much about mending relationships that He sent His Son to suffer and die so that we, while we were enemies of God, might be reconciled to Him. (Romans 5:8)
God also will go to great lengths to make Himself known to those who are far off. God orchestrated a separation between Moses and his wife that led her father to a new and deeper understanding of God. God can use any circumstance to bring us closer to Him.
Finally, God can use those young in the faith to give wise counsel. It would have been easy for Moses to reject Jethro's advice, to say, "When was the last time you led a group of 600,000 men, not including women and children? You've only just figured out that there is no god like our God!"
Sometimes fresh eyes can see a problem more clearly. Fresh faith dares greater things. I'm reminded of a church which called a young man to be their senior pastor about fifteen years ago even though he had no experience as a lead pastor. He cast a vision that many would think impossible in this age where many churches are aging, dwindling, or closing their doors. He said that the vision for this church would be to plant 1000 new churches in this generation. In pursuit of this audacious vision, the church has grown from 300 to about 12,000 and has planted over 250 churches, increasing the number of church plants each year. It is on track to achieve this vision in less time than expected.
Passion and audacious faith are more effective than education and experience. Education and experience are valuable only if we don't let education replace our passion or experience dampen our faith.
Paul told Timothy, "Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) Where have you seen God work mightily through someone young -- or young in the faith? Have you ever been inspired by the faith and passion of someone new to faith in Christ? I'd love to hear your story!
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