Topical Bible: Heathen: Jethro

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Jethro, also known as Reuel, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the narrative of Moses. He is introduced in the Book of Exodus as the priest of Midian and the father-in-law of Moses. Jethro's role and interactions with Moses provide valuable insights into the relationship between the Israelites and the surrounding nations, as well as the integration of non-Israelites into the unfolding account of God's people.

Background and Identity

Jethro is first mentioned in Exodus 2:16-18, where he is identified as the priest of Midian. The Midianites were a nomadic people descended from Midian, a son of Abraham by his concubine Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). This connection places Jethro within the broader Abrahamic family, albeit outside the direct line of Isaac and Jacob. Despite being a "heathen" in the sense of not being an Israelite, Jethro is portrayed as a man of wisdom and faith.

Jethro and Moses

Moses fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian and there encountered Jethro's daughters at a well. Moses defended them from shepherds and subsequently was invited to Jethro's home, where he was welcomed and given Zipporah, Jethro's daughter, in marriage (Exodus 2:21). This alliance through marriage signifies a peaceful and cooperative relationship between Moses and Jethro, despite their different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Jethro's influence on Moses is further highlighted in Exodus 18. After the Exodus from Egypt, Jethro visits Moses in the wilderness, bringing with him Moses' wife and sons. During this visit, Jethro observes Moses' heavy burden of leadership and offers wise counsel on delegating responsibilities. He advises Moses to appoint capable men as leaders over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to judge the people in smaller matters, reserving the more difficult cases for Moses himself (Exodus 18:17-23). This advice is implemented by Moses and becomes a foundational aspect of Israelite governance.

Religious Significance

Jethro's role as a priest of Midian raises questions about his religious beliefs and practices. In Exodus 18:10-12, Jethro acknowledges the LORD's supremacy, saying, "Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel arrogantly." Following this declaration, Jethro offers a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron and the elders of Israel join him in a meal before God. This act of worship suggests that Jethro recognized and honored the God of Israel, despite his Midianite background.

Legacy and Influence

Jethro's legacy is seen in his wise counsel and the positive relationship he maintained with Moses and the Israelites. His account illustrates the possibility of mutual respect and cooperation between God's chosen people and those outside the covenant community. Jethro's acceptance of the God of Israel and his contribution to the establishment of Israelite governance highlight the broader theme of God's sovereignty and the inclusion of all nations in His divine plan.

Jethro's presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the diverse ways God can work through individuals, regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, to fulfill His purposes and bless His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 18:1
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Heathenism.
... There was a spiritual Israel scattered throughout the heathen world, that never
received ... of Abraham, the royal priest, the type of Christ; Jethro, the priest ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 11 heathenism.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... "He might pour his fury on the heathen; but they ... said to have been a branch of the
Kenites, and to have descended from Hobab, the son of Jethro, Moses' father ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

The Disputes of the Faithful to be Settled by the Decisions of the ...
... with many cares, but with such only as are more considerable, as Jethro did appoint ...
be obliged to lose somewhat; and let it not come before an heathen tribunal ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vi the disputes of the.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... that his original name had been Jether (Exodus 4:18), an additional letter (Jethro). ...
required imersion, it is difficult to suppose that a heathen would have ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
... and theory of Israel's early laws are vividly presented in Jethro's words to ... had
also brought out plainly the contrast between the older heathen cults, still ...
/.../viii the development of the.htm

Blessed is He who Atoned Your Sins, that Ye Might Receive his Body ...
... 5. Moses drew water and watered the sheep"of Jethro the priest of sin ... were
baptized:"the People came up on dry land and became as heathen."The Commandment ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii blessed is he.htm

Women who Saved a Nation
... Now Heber the Kenite had left the Kenites, the children of Jethro the father-in ... nine
hundred iron chariots, and all his people from the heathen city Harosheth ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/women who saved a nation.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Church-discipline, to be preceded by mourning and prayer, [306]84; toward heathen
impossible, [307]89; penalty in the Old Testament analagous, [308]90. ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Weighed, and Found Wanting
... but what would it be when there were no Moses, no Jethro, no manna ... Thus far all the
discussion had been about comparative strength, as any heathen soldier would ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/weighed and found wanting.htm

Covenant Duties.
... "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee ... Different from the sentiments
of such were those which dictated the advice of Jethro, delivered in critical ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm