How does Jethro's offering in Exodus 18:12 demonstrate reverence for God? The Text in Focus “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 bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.” (Exodus 18:12) What a Burnt Offering Signified • Total surrender—Leviticus 1 describes the burnt offering as entirely consumed, symbolizing complete devotion. • Atonement—“The priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.” (Leviticus 1:4). • Worship on God’s terms, not human invention. Jethro’s Acts of Reverence • Acknowledges the LORD alone: verse 11, “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods.” Proclaiming God’s supremacy is the first mark of reverence (cf. Deuteronomy 10:17). • Brings the best he has—sacrifice costs him personally, echoing 2 Samuel 24:24. • Submits despite status—though a priest in Midian, he places himself under Israel’s God (James 4:10). • Invites covenant fellowship—sharing the meal “in the presence of God” with Israel’s leaders mirrors later peace offerings that celebrate restored relationship (Leviticus 3:1-5). • Models family leadership—he leads Moses’ household in worship, echoing Joshua 24:15. The Community Response • Aaron and the elders join, signaling unity between outsider and covenant people (Isaiah 56:6-7). • They “eat bread…in the presence of God,” anticipating table fellowship themes fulfilled in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Reverence Illustrated 1. Hearing of God’s mighty works (Exodus 18:8-9) → Faith (Romans 10:17). 2. Faith → Confession of God’s greatness (v. 11). 3. Confession → Sacrificial worship (v. 12). 4. Sacrifice → Communal fellowship before God, producing joy and unity. Why It Matters Today • True reverence begins with recognizing God’s unrivaled glory and continues in obedient worship (Hebrews 12:28-29). • Sacrificial gratitude remains central: “He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me.” (Psalm 50:23). • Welcoming outsiders who honor the LORD reflects God’s heart for the nations (Acts 10:34-35). Jethro’s offering shows that reverence is not mere feeling but active, costly, God-centered worship that acknowledges His supremacy, obeys His prescribed means, and invites others into joyful fellowship with Him. |
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