Midian Hillbillies

Exodus 18

Moses' father-in-law Jethro hears about all God has done for Moses and the Israelites and he comes to visit him in the desert. This is interestng to me. I guess I've always pictured this escapade in the desert as aimless (at least from the Israelites' perspective) wandering- but people from the outside can track and find them.

Moses had sent his wife and children Gershom (an alien there ) and Eliezer (my God is helper) to stay with Jethro- and Jethro takes the opportunity to bring Moses' family to visit him. This makes Moses' trekking even more impressive. Not only is he having to lead a disgruntled, difficult group of people- he's doing it without the comfort of his family. He ends a long, arduous day to find an empty tent and thoughts of his loved ones back in Midian.

Maybe Jethro made the trip as an excuse to give back his inherited extended family. Um- Moses- leave your mother and father and cleave to each other- these folks are your responsibility now. Time to take them back.

When Jethro gets there he is in awe of all that God has done. He praises God and makes a rather odd statement: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly." What does this say about Jethro's understanding of God? Is he being accomodative- using the phrase "other gods" metaphorically? Is he polytheistic?

Regardless, Jethro is impressed and he offers a burnt offering and other sacrifices. Aaron joins the elders to share a meal with Jethro in God's presence.

So the next day, Moses goes about his business and starts to act as judge for the people. Jethro witnesses it and realizes that Moses has taken on too much. He tells Moses to remain the representative for both the people and God- but to delegate his authority. Choose some leaders and train them- and then you don't have to handle it all. So Moses picked some trustworthy men and let them handle much of what he was doing.

He still handled the tough cases- but he allowed others to handle the easier ones. Then Moses sent Jethro away. It doesn't say, but perhaps Moses keeps his wife and kids with him.

For me the big lesson here is similar to the last section- life is too much to handle alone. Share the work- share the problems. Carry each other's loads.

And trust each other enough to delegate things that others can handle. Power seems to be a central issue. You can't control life- not other's, and not even your own. Give up some of that power- not only to God but to each other as well.