Jethro – Who Was Moses’ Father-in-Law
Moses’ wife’s name was Zipporah. Zipporah was Jethro’s daughter. Therefore, Jethro was the father-in-law of Moses. In this sense, Moses and Jethro had a deep father-in-law and son-in-law relationship. Jethro also has an importance in the Holy Bible. He was the priest of Midian. Moses lived with his father-in-law for a long time after his marriage. Jethro was a very good man. Therefore, in the Bible, he is remembered with good words. His piety had a profound effect on the life of Moses. Moses was helped many times by his advice.
Verse
“When the girls returned to Reuel, their father, he asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?” They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock.” And where is he?” Reuel asked his daughters. “Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat.” Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.” (Exodus 2:18-21)
Leader And Priest of Midian
Jethro belonged to Midian. This area was located in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia. Abraham had many sons. In this, Isaac is very important and he also has a lot of fame. Apart from this, Abraham had another son named Midian. Jethro belonged to the tribe of Midian. Jethro was very pious and pious. He used to give teachings to guide the people of Midian and bring them to the right path. Jethro had the importance of a leader.
Verse
“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.” (Exodus 18:1)
Relationship of Moses With Jethro
Once Moses(peace be upon him) fled from Egypt and went to Midian to seek refuge. While he was on his way, there were some women drawing water from a well and they were facing some problems. Moses helped these women. Among these women was Zipporah, who was Jethro’s daughter. Jethro sheltered Moses in his house. Later, Jethro married Moses to Zipporah. Moses lived with Jethro for a long time. He gave important and wise guidance that was very useful in Moses’ life.
Verse
“When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock. When the girls returned to Reuel their father asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?” They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock. “And where is he?” Reuel asked his daughters. “Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat.” Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. Zipporah gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.” (Exodus 2:15-22)
Advice of Jethro
Moses always sought to convey the word of God to the people and to solve the problems of the people. So his life became very difficult. On which Jethro advised him not to stress over small tasks. For this, organize other people and focus on the bigger issues yourself. This will make your life easier and the system will run more efficiently. This advice benefited Moses greatly.
Faith of Jethro
Jethro was a person of great faith and his faith became stronger when Moses showed his miracles. When Moses was bringing the children of Israel from Egypt to save them from the oppression of Pharaoh, Jethro was with him and all the miracles He was seeing with his own eyes. Then he said that now I believe that there is only one God who is greater than all Gods. This made Jethro’s faith even stronger.
Verse
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. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” 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.” (Exodus 18:10-12)
Legacy of Jethro
Jethro knew a lot of wisdom. He had implemented wisdom in his life very much, due to which he was running in a very orderly manner. He also gave a similar advice to Moses that leaders should not be like that they themselves start dealing with all matters. In this way, their life will become very difficult and the affairs will not be handled properly. Therefore, it is necessary to create an organized organization and assign specific tasks to each person and manage the affairs and solve big problems. In this way the rest of the people will also participate in the good work and God’s message will reach the people in an organized manner without difficulties. Today’s people and many leaders implement this advice in their lives and benefit from it.
Verse
“Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.” But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.” (Numbers 10:29-32)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Jethro was a very important person. He was the father-in-law of Moses and the priest of Midian. He knew a lot of wisdom and he gave one piece of advice to Moses. This advice benefited Moses greatly which had a profound effect on the life of Moses. Moses and Jethro spent many years together. Jethro’s advice is still alive today and people make it a part of their lives. Jethro has an important place in the history of the Israelites.
