Jethro's Wisdom Helps Moses

By Mary Vee
Exodus 18:12-27

If Jethro kept a journal, he might have written...


The song of the birds woke me this morning.  My stomach was still full from last night's feast with Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel. I offered sacrifices to the great God of Israel, then we all sat and talked late into the evening.  

My soul felt a special warmth and encouragement as I listened to their stories from the terrible times in Egypt to God's rescue and direction in the wilderness.  Aaron couldn't stay seated as he told about the battle against the Amalekites. We burst out laughing when he acted out Moses' arms sagging then him rolling a rock for Moses to sit. He wiped fake sweat from his brow before continuing his drama.  

Even Moses wiped tears of laughter then said, "I guess I looked pretty silly. Thanks be to God for giving us the victory that day."


He always knew how to bring every situation back to giving glory to God.  The elders showed their respect for him by nodding in agreement. 


This morning I have been invited to the Israelite camp.  I can't wait to see the people.  Zipporah  and my grandsons are excited to join them as well. 


By the time we arrived, Moses had a long line of people waiting to speak with him.  Zipporah took the boys to meet with friends and quickly bumped into Miriam, Moses' sister. Miriam pulled them over to a group of women their age where the boys also found playmates.


While waiting for Moses I joined a group of the elders where I heard more of their stories about Egypt.  I watched Moses judging the people all day long.  He looked exhausted. How could he get anything done when he judges the people all day?


When the sun set, Moses made the people leave.  He joined me by the fire and warmed his hands.  He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. I handed him him his dinner. He seemed to tired to eat.  "Moses, what is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone with all the people standing before you from morning until evening?"


He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Because the people come to me to find what God wants in this or that situation. When they have a difficulty, they come to me and I judge between one and another. I tell them the law's and rules God has made."


Didn't he realize he would make himself sick doing this every day? I had to help. "Moses, what you are doing isn't good. Both you and the Israelites will wear yourselves out. It's too much for you." 

I waited until he had strength from his supper. "You are not able to judge all these people by yourself.  Now, listen to my counsel and God will be with you: Go to God for the people as you have done to learn what God wants you to teach them. Stand before the Israelites and instruct them about God's laws and rules and show them the way they must walk and the work they need to do."


Moses nodded. "I am doing this."


"Yes. But now you must select able men who fear God, men of truth to be rulers over thousands, rulers over hundreds, fifties, and tens. And let them judge the people at all times. When a big problem comes their way, they will bring it to you; but every small problem they themselves will judge. In this way the burden will be shared with you."


He sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Jethro, your wisdom is a comfort to me.  I will do as you say."


The next morning Moses turned the people away. He called a group men together and chose rulers then taught them what to do.  At dinner time he laughed and told stories as he had before. That was when I knew I could leave my daughter Zipporah and my grandsons with him. 

The next morning I gathered my things to return home and kissed my family. "God be with you. I love you all."


Moses hugged me. "Thank you for your wisdom, for bringing Zipporah and the boys. I'll miss you."


So I left for home, sad but joyful.


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1. Why was Moses so tired?
2. What did Jethro tell Moses to do?
3. Why do you think God had Jethro teach Moses this lesson instead of telling Moses Himself?
4. Did Moses do what Jethro said?
5. How would this lesson help you?

Jethro Meets With Moses

By Mary Vee

Exodus 18:1-11

As told by Jethro, the Midian priest.

I've waited for this day for so long. My daughter, Zipporah will finally see her husband, Moses, again.  He must have great news to tell. To think, God used him to free the Israelite people from Pharaoh.

We've traveled several days to meet up with Moses.  Zipporah struggled to get her two boys to sleep last night; they're so excited to see their father and hear his stories.This morning  I sent a message to Moses letting him know we arrived. 

"Excuse me, Father, but Moses is here!" Zipporah danced into my tent and smiled like the day of her wedding.

I didn't get a chance to say anything more to her. She flew out of the tent quicker than I could stand. "Hurry, Father."

Moses bowed to me.  We gave each other a hug. "Moses how are you?"

"I am well. And you, Father?"

"Wonderful, wonderful.  Come, let's talk in my tent."  Moses followed me inside. I saw right away he'd changed for the good.

The day I first met him, he wore torn clothes, hadn't eaten for days, and didn't have a place to live. I invited him to live with us and to marry my daughter, Zipporah.  He worked hard and learned how to shepherd. One day he told us God wanted him to go to Egypt to free his people. I must admit, I had my doubts. Moses seemed quiet and enjoyed being alone with the sheep. Yet, here he is today, ready to tell me his adventures in Egypt.

"Tell me, Moses, what happened in Egypt?"

Moses chuckled and glanced up as though he looked at God. "God did it.  He set my people free!"  Moses set his rod on the floor, pushed his sleeves up, and smiled. "Ten times I went to Pharaoh asking him to let us go to sacrifice to God in the wilderness. Each time he answered no God sent a plague. First,God turned the water into blood, the whole city smelled awful and the people grew thirsty. Second, He sent frogs. They Egyptians found frogs in their ovens, on their tables, everywhere they walked, even in their beds. Then God sent, lice; fourth, flies; fifth a disease struck the livestock; sixth, boils on the people's skin; seventh, hail, huge hail; eighth, locust--"

"Wait, Moses. There must not have been anything left for the Egyptians to eat. The crops and animals suffered from the plagues."

He leaned forward and nodded. "That's the point God wanted to make. He wanted Pharaoh to know Egypt's food and water came from Him not their own hands--or slave hands. The Egyptians needed to obey God, but they wouldn't."

"What happened next?"

"Well, God sent a plague of darkness the Egyptians could feel. No one could see. They stayed in their homes until the plague ended. The last plague, though, caused Pharaoh to set us free. God sent the death angel to kill the first born, man or beast, in any household that did not have blood from a perfect lamb painted on the doorposts.  Pharaoh screamed at us to leave. The next morning we left."

We talked the rest of the day. Actually, I did the listening, Moses did the talking. He told me all that God had done including parting the Red Sea waters and raining manna for food.  He laughed, cried, and sighed while telling his stories. 

I had not realized the power of God before this day. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods. In the very things the Egyptians behaved proudly, God showed He was above them.

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1. Jethro was not an Israelite. Where was he from?
2. What all did Moses tell Jethro?
3. What did God want to show Pharaoh?
4. What did Jethro learn?
5. What did you learn?

Moses Returns to Egypt

By Mary Vee
Exodus 4: 18-27

Every once in a while, the sheep cooperate. 

I had taken them to the other side of the desert to feast on fresh pasture, found a burning bush, heard a voice, which turned out to be God's voice, and led the flock back home.

After closing the gate to the sheep pen, I ran to Jethro to tell him my news.  Even though I married his daughter, Zipporah, he remained the head of the family. 

"Jethro, I need to speak with you."

"Ah, Moses, back so soon from tending the sheep?"

"Yes, well, I have been thinking about the Israelites in Egypt."
"I see. And what have you decided?"

Here came the difficult part.  Will he let me take my sons and his daughter back to Egypt?  "I would like to see whether they are still alive."

He studied my face.  I hated waiting for him to say something, anything--how about one word?

He walked close to me then put his hand on my shoulder. "Go in peace."

"Really?  I can take Zippora and the boys with me?"

"I understand your desires to see your people.  You have given me many years of sincere service.  Now you need to see your family."

That went better than I thought.  Now I get to tell Zipporah the news.

"Zipporah."

"Yes, my husband."

"I spoke with your father a few moments ago."

"About what?"

"About taking you and the boys to see my family in Egypt. He gave his blessing."

"Moses, I don't understand some of the things you do, but I will do as you wish.  I'll prepare for the journey at once."

That night, God spoke with me again.  He said, "Return to Egypt. Don't be afraid; all the men who tried to kill you have died." He reminded me to do all the wonders he taught me before Pharaoh.  The next day my family and I left our home and set out for Egypt.

Several days later we came to a mountain. I helped set up the camp while Zipporah made supper.  The boys play in the trees until Zipporah called them to eat.  Shortly after I sat at the table I heard rustling leaves off to the left.  I turned and saw a man.  "Who are you?"

"My name is Aaron.  I'm looking for my brother Moses."

"Aaron?  Is it really you?"

"Moses?"

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Moses must have had a difficult time finding the courage to speak to his father-in-law about going to Egypt.  Do you remember from the last story Moses said he had a problem speaking to others?  We don't know if Moses stuttered, or what his speech problem really was, but we do know he felt awkward about speaking to Pharaoh in Egypt.  God gave him the strength and the words to say to Jethro. 

Is there something you find difficult to do? 
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Why did Moses want to go to Egypt?
Who did Moses take with him to Egypt?
Who did Moses meet on his journey to Egypt?