Jethro is an important figure in the Old Testament, most known for his relationship with Moses. He is introduced in Exodus 2 as the priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law. While the Bible does not provide much biographical information about Jethro, the passages where he appears reveal important details about his character, wisdom, and influence.
Exodus 2 describes how Moses fled from Egypt after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. Moses settled in the land of Midian and married Zipporah, one of Jethro’s seven daughters. Moses worked as a shepherd for Jethro for around 40 years (Exodus 2:21, Acts 7:30). During this time, Jethro mentored Moses and taught him how to survive in the wilderness.
Jethro first appears by name in Exodus 3, shortly after God calls Moses from the burning bush on Mount Horeb and commissions him to free the Israelites from Egypt. Verse 1 states that Moses was shepherding Jethro’s flock when he encountered the burning bush. This demonstrates that Moses maintained an ongoing relationship with his father-in-law and continued to work for him even after receiving his divine calling.
Later, in Exodus 18, Jethro comes to meet Moses after hearing how the Lord delivered the Israelites from Egypt. He brings Moses’ wife and sons to him, as they had remained behind when Moses returned to Egypt. Jethro rejoices when Moses shares how God protected them from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Exodus 18:11 records Jethro praising the Lord for rescuing the people from Egypt. This shows Jethro’s faith in the true God.
The most significant event involving Jethro is when he advises Moses on delegating his leadership duties. In Exodus 18:13-26, Moses spends all day arbitrating disputes among the Israelites. Recognizing how this will wear out Moses, Jethro tells him:
“What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you!” (Exodus 18:17-19).
Jethro then counsels Moses to appoint capable men as leaders over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. These leaders would handle simpler matters, while only the hardest cases would come to Moses. Moses obeyed Jethro’s advice, allowing him to endure the challenges of leading Israel (Exodus 18:24-26). This demonstrates Jethro’s wisdom and highlights his role as a mentor who gave prudent counsel that benefited Moses and the nation.
After this, Jethro departs and returns home in Exodus 18:27. This is the last mention of him in Exodus. He does not accompany the Israelites to Mount Sinai or enter the promised land.
Moses and Jethro’s relationship reflects an ancient Near Eastern custom called kinship by marriage. According to this practice, a fugitive seeking refuge in a foreign land could integrate into a clan by marrying the daughter of a tribal chieftain. By marrying Zipporah, Moses came under Jethro’s protection and became part of his family. As his father-in-law, Jethro treated Moses with honor and respect.
Beyond the Exodus narrative, various other Old Testament passages refer to Jethro by the name Reuel. Genesis 25:2-4 lists Reuel as one of the sons of Abraham’s relative Keturah. In Exodus 2:18 and Numbers 10:29, Moses’ father-in-law is called Reuel. Based on these texts, it is widely thought that Reuel and Jethro refer to the same person. The terms appear to be interchangeable. It was common in biblical times for individuals to have two different names.
Another theory proposes that Reuel was the grandfather, and Jethro the father, of Moses’ wife Zipporah. According to this view, the term “father-in-law” may have designated Jethro as Moses’ wife’s father-in-law in a broader sense, while biologically he was the grandfather (Judges 19:4-9). So Reuel was the literal father-in-law and Jethro was the functional one.
While Scripture does not provide a definitive answer on the relationship between Reuel and Jethro, most scholars understand them to be the same person. The broader point is that Moses’ father-in-law, referred to by either name, played an influential role in Moses’ life.
Aside from his appearance in Exodus, Jethro is also mentioned in two New Testament passages. In Acts 7:29-30, Stephen refers to Moses’ encounter with the burning bush happening after he had fled from Egypt and was living in Midian with Jethro. And in Galatians 4:24-25, Paul allegorically refers to Mount Sinai in Arabia as “the Mount of Jethro.” These references confirm Jethro as an important figure connected to Moses and Israel’s history.
Though details about Jethro’s background and life are scarce, the Bible shows he was a priest, a mentor, and a counselor. As a priest, he served as a spiritual shepherd over the Midianites, leading them in worship of the true God (Exodus 18:12). As a counselor, he guided Moses with wisdom that produced practical benefits for the nation. And as a mentor, he took Moses under his wing at a critical time and prepared him for leadership.
Jethro set an example of how to honor God, care for one’s family, readily accept good news, offer timely wisdom, and respect appointed leadership. His legacy lives on through his descendents and through the continued influence of his mentorship on Moses’ life.
When Moses faced the daunting task of leading the Israelites, Jethro reminded him that the work was too heavy to bear alone. By appointing delegates, Moses was able to endure the long journey from Sinai to Canaan. Jethro’s plan brought much needed order and unity to a nation of over 2 million people. His organizational leadership principle of appointing subordinates is still widely followed today.
As Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro fulfilled an important role as head of the household that took Moses in as a refugee. His protection provided Moses a safe haven during his wilderness exile from Egypt. Jethro welcomed Moses into his family and occupation. He treated Moses with respect rather than as an outcast.
At their reunion in Exodus 18, Jethro rejoiced over all the good the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from Egypt. He recognized God’s supreme power and worshiped Him through sacrifice and offerings. This shows Jethro was a righteous priest and a worshiper of the true God even before the Law was given to Moses.
Jethro set a laudable example as a father by bringing Moses’ wife and sons to him after the exodus. He could have kept them with him, but he ensured the family was reunited once Moses had secured safety for the Israelite slaves. As a father-in-law, he placed his daughter’s well-being above his own interests.
The fact that Moses felt comfortable bringing Jethro to meet the elders of Israel indicates he had a position of respect. Even Aaron and the leaders of the tribes accepted his presence and wisdom. This shows how Moses valued his father-in-law’s counsel.
While the Bible does not reveal when Jethro came to faith in the God of Israel, his actions and attitudes indicate he was a righteous priest and a worshiper of God prior to the giving of the Law. His exemplary character and conduct have led some Jewish and Christian traditions to consider him a convert to Hebrew faith.
When advising Moses on delegating leadership, Jethro said: “And God be with you!” This blessing implies a sincere desire for God’s help and guidance to accompany Moses. Jethro acknowledged God’s sovereign direction over Moses.
By praising God for the exodus, sacrificing burnt offerings, and eating with Moses, Aaron and the elders in God’s presence, Jethro honored the Lord and identified with Him as the Israelites did. Whatever his background, he came to sincerely revere Yahweh.
Jethro sets an important example of how to properly interact with and show honor to leaders who have been called and appointed by God. He went out of his way to congratulate Moses and rejoice with him over God’s work and blessing.
Moses surely felt overwhelmed with the responsibilities of leading Israel. Yet Jethro didn’t stand on the sidelines criticizing him, but offered wisdom and a helpful plan to ease the burden. He showed respect for Moses’ divinely appointed leadership.
Rather than becoming threatened or jealous when Moses gained prominence, Jethro humbly offered direction to aid him. Their relationship was marked by mutual honor, counsel, and blessing, rather than competition or hierarchy.
Jethro could have tried to discredit Moses’ calling as delusional or power hungry. But he recognized God’s hand and acted to help the leader God had chosen succeed. He set aside personal interest in order to advance God’s will.
We today should follow Jethro’s example by readily submitting to those whom God has placed in spiritual authority to guide our families, churches, and nations. As Hebrews 13:17 says, we are to obey our leaders and submit to them.
When leaders falter, we should pray for wisdom to help and guide them gently like Jethro did for Moses. We need to exercise patience and grace when their flaws become evident and not be overly critical.
In the modern church era, some react harshly to human failures in spiritual leaders and use their stumbles as justification to rebel and speak evil against them. But Jethro’s inspired example calls us to honor our leaders, even when they are not perfect.
Moses could easily have become defensive at Jethro’s suggestion that he was doing things the wrong way. As God’s chosen liberator, Moses had authority, but he still submitted to the counsel of his father-in-law.
Similarly, those in authority today need to cultivate humility like Moses did. He listened to Jethro instead of insisting that his methods as the leader were above critique. Good leaders are willing to listen and change.
Moses was serving the Lord with right motives in arbitrating all the disputes himself. But his workload was wearing him down and unable to scale. Jethro’s plan helped Moses develop a system of delegation that empowered more people and distributed the administrative load.
This passage demonstrates that even when we are sincerely trying to serve God, sometimes we need an outside perspective to show us a better way. We should be open like Moses was to wise counsel from unexpected sources.
Jethro’s visit highlights the value of listening to the insights of our community and seeking wisdom from those outside our inner circle. As iron sharpens iron, counsel from trusted advisors helps leaders be more effective and avoid burnout.
Moses heeded Jethro’s counsel even though Jethro was not an Israelite or levitical priest. This shows that discernment and wisdom to benefit leadership can come through anyone God chooses. We should be receptive to truth from different sources.
The Bible does not indicate if Jethro’s organizational structure was God’s original plan or just a helpful idea from Jethro. But with divine guidance, Moses recognized the plan’s prudence and implemented it. This illustrates the potential of God working through an advisor to guide a leader.
The humility and cooperation displayed between Moses and Jethro provide a model for how delegated authority should function. Their relationship sets a pattern for how fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, older and younger leaders can work together harmoniously by God’s grace.
Jethro demonstrated that fatherly counsel does not need to threaten or undermine authority. His wisdom strengthened Moses’ leadership instead of constraining it. Their interactions showed mutual honor and deference.
Likewise, those in positions of authority today should welcome constructive criticism that is intended to help them grow in wisdom. We should not view feedback as an attack just because we are the designated leader.
Moses could have easily felt that as God’s chosen leader, he knew best and did not need to heed Jethro’s advice. But instead he displayed humility and gratitude, implementing his father-in-law’s suggested improvements.
All leaders can benefit from periodically taking an honest look at their approach and asking if there might be a more excellent way. No system or structure is so perfect that it cannot be refined. Jethro demonstrates the benefits of outside insight.
Jethro sets an inspirational example of celebrating when God shows favor to others. When he heard of God’s deliverance, victory, and protection for Israel, Jethro rejoiced enthusiastically and praised God.
There was no hint of envy that God was using Moses and the Israelites rather than Midianites. He did not allow ethnic differences to tarnish his joy over God’s blessing. Jethro’s example calls us to rejoice when God moves in other churches, ministries, and ethnic groups.
Sometimes there can be an unhealthy competitiveness within the church where believers feel threatened or diminished when God works through another group. We may be tempted to disregard or even criticize positive things happening in other ministries.
But Jethro’s reaction models how we should be happy to see God glorified by expanding His kingdom, even if our own congregation or denomination is not the center of what God is doing.
Jethro provides a sterling example of appropriate, God-honoring interaction with appointed leaders like Moses. He respected Moses’ calling, rejoiced in the good being accomplished, and gave wisdom to aid rather than undermine him. His humble example provides important lessons for relationships with spiritual leaders today.
The Bible leaves many details of Jethro’s background uncertain. But clearly he played a significant role in Moses’ development and Israel’s history. His legacy deserves to be honored for his virtuous character, faithful priesthood, sound guidance, and joyful spirit.
The important lessons and positive examples from Jethro’s interactions with Moses give us much to reflect on regarding how to properly support and relate to those called to lead God’s people. Through Jethro’s admirable conduct, Scripture provides wisdom to instruct spiritual leaders and followers alike down through history.