How does Exodus 18:5 connect with honoring parents as seen in Exodus 20:12? Setting the Scene: Family Arrives at Sinai • Exodus 18:5: “Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped at the mountain of God.” • Israel has just been delivered from Egypt; they have not yet heard the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). • Into this historical moment walks Jethro—functionally a parent to Moses—bringing Moses’ wife and children. Moses’ Response: A Living Portrait of Respect • Exodus 18:7: “So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down to him, and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and went into the tent.” – Moses, the national leader, humbly takes the initiative. – He bows, a physical sign of honor. – He offers affectionate greeting, then private fellowship (“went into the tent”). • Moses later listens to Jethro’s advice and acts on it (Exodus 18:17-24). – Verse 24: “Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.” – Honor expresses itself in obedience and teachability. Links to the Fifth Commandment • Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” – Narrative precedes legislation: God provides a real-time illustration of the command He is about to give. – Jethro functions as a parental figure; honoring a father-in-law flows from honoring parents. • Blessing follows honor: – Jethro’s counsel preserves Moses’ strength and the nation’s well-being—an immediate taste of the “long life” promise. Why the Connection Matters • God roots His moral law in lived experience; Israel sees honor modeled before it is mandated. • Moses’ humility underscores that no one is exempt from the command, not even the highest leader. • The scene affirms that honoring parents extends beyond biological parents to all who stand in parental authority. Lessons for Today • Show respect practically—initiate contact, display courtesy, listen attentively. • Receive counsel from parents and parental figures; wisdom often accompanies authority. • Expect God’s blessing—relational harmony, protection, and longevity—when honor is practiced. Supporting Scriptures • Leviticus 19:3: “Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.” • Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:2-3—New and Old Testaments alike uphold the same principle, confirming its timeless relevance. |
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