Exodus chapter 18

EXODUS 

CHAPTER 

18

1. Jethro the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that the God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

(Exodus chapter 18 verse 1)

In English we have an expression that says news travels fast. It seems that this is appropriate in the case of Moses. News of God's wonders and might in Egypt travelled fast thus spreading as far as Midian. The good news of the Word of God has also been travelling fast throughout the years however many people view it differently from others. There are those who accept it as it really is as being true and as coming from God's however there are others who are totally sceptic about its authenticity. The choice is ours to make along with the consequences of our decision.

2. After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro took her back. 3. along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom: (for he said, I have been an alien in a foreign land")

(Exodus chapter 18 verses 2 to 3)

On having decided to follow the will of God, Moses decided to send his wife back to her father Jethro the priest of Midian who accepted his daughter back and did not hold a personal grudge against Moses for having done so. This verse raises an important issue regarding the marriage of priests in the Roman Catholic Church as in protestant churches. In order to be able to follow the will of God it was necessary for Moses to be separated from his wife. He presence would have caused complications in the sense that Moses would have been forced to choose between obeying his wife and her needs in contrast to obeying the will of God. This would have bound to create stress and conflict between the couple as in the case of Abraham and Sarah who at times was a hindrance to Abraham as found in the book of Genesis. I would greatly love to receive your feedback on this issue in the comments section. (Vince Micallef)

4. and the name of the other Eliezer (for he said, " The God of my father, was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh. 

(Exodus chapter 18 verse 4)

God is always our helper, He is always there for us and and he will deliver us from our sins to bring us closer to him and make possible our salvation.

5. Jethro, Moses', father-in-law came into the wilderness where Moses was encamped by at mountain of God, bringing Moses' sons and wife to him. 6. He sent word to Moses, saying, "I your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you, with your wife and her two sons." 7. Moses went out to meet his father-in-law; he bowed down, and kissed him: each asked after the other's welfare and they went into the tent. 

(Exodus chapter 18 verses 5 to 7)

After having delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt God gave Moses back his family. Although during the peak moment of the Exodus the presence of his family may have been of more stress for Moses, he still had responsibility for his family. He was still a married man and no Annulment tribunal can ever change that, even though there may be issues that make family life challenging to live. Although Moses had the company of  many people it cannot be compared to the love, care and support that can be given by our family.

8. Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the hardship that had beset them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. 9. Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the Egyptians.

(Exodus chapter 18 verses 8 to 9)

Just as Jethro was happy upon hearing how God had delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, God is also happy to help us and give us His support in overcoming our problems and personal issues because God has sincere love and concern for our well being.

10. Jethro said,  "Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered  you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. 11. Now I know, that the LORD is greater than all gods; because he delivered the people from the Egyptians,"

(Exodus chapter 18 verses 10 to 11)

God is always above everything he is the one and only supreme being and loving father who is always there for us loving and blessing us and delivering us from our problems. Even though the outcomes of our problems are not always according to our agendas at the given time of our deliverance, God is still there to accompany us throughout our pilgrimage on earth.

12. And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering  offered 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 chapter 18 verse 12)

When we offer a sacrifice to God our aim is not that of self-gratification but as a means of showing gratitude and thanks giving  to God. According to the author of this chapter it is best to offer our bad habits and other sins than to sacrifice an animal, because this form of offering brings us closer to God.



Now that Moses had confirmed his very good relationship with Jethro Aaron and the elders of Israel could now join the celebration in the presence of God. God's friends are our friends, God's family is our family, as people walking in the footsteps of God, we are one family. In order to view the route to Mount Sinai please refer to the following link


Map of Mount Sinai peninsula

13. The next day Moses as judge for the people, while the people stood around him from morning until evening.


(Exodus chapter 18 verse 13)



Moses was assigned the role of judge over the people, however the role that God had given him was that of leading His chosen people out of Egypt to the promised land according to His Covenant. At times we find ourselves executing roles that in truth are not according to the Will of God and this is a drain on our spiritual, mental and physical abilities. We can only imagine the effect of such a drain on Moses who spent from morning to evening carrying out such a role. Without knowing as humans we also carry out the function of judging others. At times our judgement is positive praising the good that God gave to others, however at times our judgement is negative and does much harm, therefore we are to choose between being positive judges to negative. Ideally we leave judgement to God for only who is working on a 24 x 7 shift without no break on our behalf and will not rest until He has helped us in solving or coping with our minor or even major problems and issues. He is competent to carry out such a role. In the New Testament Jesus warned us about passing judgement on others He totally disapproved of it.
     

14. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning till evening?15. Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God? 16. When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God."

(Exodus chapter 18 verse 14 to 16)

In the beginning of our spiritual life we often have many question on our minds. We may not only doubt our behaviour, beliefs and values but may even condemn or judge those of others. Therefore in order to clear away the doubts it is wise to seek the counsel of others self who are more advanced in their spiritual walk with God. It is very healthy to have a spiritual director as long as this person is still walking and growing with God himself and not with his psychology and counselling techniques only.



On reflecting Moses ended up as being a one man army. When considering that he was the only link between God and the people, the latter bombarded him with questions to which they required instant solutions or answers, that at times may have not been easy to answer. Thus spending so much time in giving to others is a drain on ourselves, because we also need to receive. I f we do not spend time to receive from God we will have nothing to give to others. In time we will become annoying and stagnant to others and of no help or support at all. Therefore it is a must that we spend time in prayer with God if we wish to be of help to others. We also need to nourish our relationship with God therefore we need to have quality time with Him.

17. Moses father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good. 18. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.  


(Exodus chapter 18 verses 17 to 18)


When the demand is not equally shared there is always the great risk of burn out in the long or short term. In such cases the coping abilities do not match with the demand, therefore stress is experienced by the care giver. Therefore in such cases a fair distribution is needed in order to cope with the demands at hand. This is valid on both a spiritual contest as in the case of Moses, the Pope who has priests, deacons e.t.c to assist him and even on a social level at home or in a work setting. At home the wife especially if she is a full time married working mother who has not gainfully occupied and even more if she is, cannot cope on her own with the demands of the family which are never ending, and or the demands of work that in themselves are already stressful. What is needed is a fair distribution amongst all the members of the family, so that the demand is shared and so the stress is also shared and not focused only on one person. Every family member is to contribute according to ones, capacity, time availability and opportunity amongst other criteria that are to be discussed in a spirit of love and cooperation during family meetings.

19. Now listen to me, I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God. 20.teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. 

(Exodus chapter 18 verses 19 to 20)


On reflecting we are to pay heed to the counsel of significant others. Different people share a different perspective of how they perceive reality or the problem at hand. God teaches us to hand over all our problems to Him because He is the wisest problem solver ever. The saying says that knowledge is power. Instead of giving a person the answer to ones problem it is best to present the person before God and teach the person to think, pray and behave according to the will of God. From then onwards the person can continue to grow in ones personal life.

21. You should also look for all able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and  tens,

(Exodus chapter 18 verse 21)

In order to be a good administrator over the people of God, Jethro suggested that those chosen for this role were to have the above mentioned qualities. When considering our human nature it would seem to be almost humanly impossible to find such people, however if such people were chosen by God they would also have the required qualities.  As in the case of a vocation God gives the person all the necessary qualities, however if that person in time does not nourish his or her relationship with God, that person places the assigned consecrated life in danger with the risk of becoming dishonest, unfaithful to God and His people amongst other negative consequences.

22. Let them sit as judges for the people at all times:let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23. If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their home in peace."

(Exodus chapter 18 verses 22 to 23)


From a simple group of people a new structured group was in the process of formation. The hierarchical structure was being applied and falling into place. As in the case of the people while still in Egypt, they had taskmaster that governed their work. Therefore the people had been used to being part of a structure or a system. On reflecting God was laying down the foundations of a new society based on the presence of God and His values.

24. So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

(Exodus chapter 18 verse 24)

Upon hearing the suggestion Moses in acted it as it was a good suggestion as he didn’t want people to completely be dependant on him. God do not want us to be completely dependent on him in a sense when we face some problem no doubt we should pray to god and wait for his answer but also we should be strong enough to face the problem for the time being till god correct time arrive and he will bring a solution for our problems.

25. Moses chose able men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 26. And they judged the people at all times; hard cases they brought to Moses, but any minor case they decided themselves. 27. Then Moses let his father-in--law depart and he went off to his own country.

(Exodus chapter 18 verses 25 to 27)

After having listened to all that Jethro had explained to Moses, the latter implemented all that had been explained to him. The word of Jethro who was influenced by God as an eye opener for Moses became actions. On hearing the proclamation of the Word of God we are not to be passive but act on God's Word in a spirit of obedience. In order to resolve many conflicts the Word of God is a trustworthy source. It gives us guidance that helps us to solve the basic issues of concern.



On reflecting the system described by Jethro is complementary to the Maltese Judicial system. Trivial cases are heard in the civil case section of the court while hardened cases are heard in a second domain where criminal cases are heard.

Before ending this chapter Mr. Deevain Ajit Pawar the author of this chapter wishes to present the following challenge for us to reflect on before moving on to Exodus chapter 19. The author is asking us to, think about those moments where and when God played an important role in our lives. The author asks us to reflect on a particular scenario and we will become more aware and grateful for God's intervention during that particular moment of crisis or blessing.


In order to help us readers in reflecting on this issue please click on the following link that has pleasant bird sounds and background music in order to help us relax while praying on this issue;


Birds background music



In order to end this chapter 18 of the book of Exodus the author chose to include the following prayer:


 I would like to thank you God,  for every moment in my life, whether it was good or bad. Even though I may have been hurt by the situation I would still like to give thanks. I strongly believe that you have control over anything that happens in our lives and that all happens according to your plan for us and me in particular. I am sorry for those moments when I ever complained and murmured stating my dissatisfaction and my bad habits. In spite this thank you God for being with me

Thank you God for everything

 Amen