Ears to Hear Ex. 18:9-12

When God does amazing things in my life I am usually quick to share it within the household of faith. After all, it is worth celebrating! I am not usually so quick to share it with people who don’t know God in a personal way. I can give all kinds of excuses for why I don’t give God the credit He is due for the many blessings I have experienced. It is easier to share with those in the household of faith, because they won’t argue or negate the hand of God as quickly as I think the non-believer will.

Moses was a witness to His father-in-law, Jethro. Did Jethro believe in Yahweh? (After all, he was religious, a priest and his given name, Reuel, means friend of God). Did he think Moses was crazy to go back and face Pharoah in Egypt? (After all, he had spent 40 years with his son-in-law, hearing stories about the one true God, and about life in Egypt) Did he understand the issue with circumcision and his grandsons? (He may have known about the practice since he too was a descendant of Abraham).

I am so tempted to speculate about Jethro and his faith, but the reality is that we simply do not know! What we do know is that when he showed up in the desert, bringing his daughter and grandsons to join Moses, he heard about God’s miraculous deliverance, provision and power. Moses takes the opportunity to influence his non-Jewish family. He declares the praises of Him who called [him] out of darkness and into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). Jethro could see God’s good works and praise Yahweh (Matt. 5:16). When Moses shares all that God had done, Jethro’s testimony demonstrates faith. Oh, that I would always prepared to give an answer for the hope that I have (1 Peter 3:15). And that, like Moses, I would lead others to righteousness, joyfully giving God credit and worship He alone deserves.