Exodus 17 and 18
Studies in Exodus
TOPIC: Jethro Visits Moses
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 18
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 27:17
Lesson 18 Exodus 18
INTRODUCTION: In this chapter we come to a parenthesis in the book of Exodus. The events of this chapter actually happened about eleven months later, so this chapter is not in chronological order in the book of Exodus, but this chapter is placed here for a good reason. Chapter 16 told us about the manna, the bread from Heaven, which pictures Christ being smitten on the cross - The Crucifixion. The last part of chapter 17 told us about the war with Amalek, which pictures the battle the Christian has with the old fleshly nature. This battle with the flesh will continue until the Christian is given a brand new body at the second coming of Christ - The Rapture. The story of Jethro’s visit with Moses pictures for us the next prophetical event, in order, after the Tribulation Period - The Millennial Reign. In this chapter we see that JETHRO VISITS MOSES.
I THE VISIT OF JETHRO v 1-12
A. Jethro comes to visit Moses with Moses’ wife and sons v 1-5 JETHRO (v 1) - “excellence” (also called “Reuel” - Exodus 3:1; and “Raguel” - Numbers 10:29) ZIPPORAH (v 2) - “sparrow” GERSHOM (v 3) - “a stranger” ELIEZER (v 4) - “God is my Helper” This was a family reunion for Moses. Moses had apparently sent Zipporah and his two sons home to Jethro’s house after the incident at the inn when Zipporah called Moses a “bloody husband.” (Exodus 4:25-26) Zipporah, being restored to her husband Moses, is a picture of how Israel, the wife of Jehovah, will be restored unto the Lord during the Millennial Reign. (Isaiah 54:4-8; Joel 3:16-17)
NOTE: Notice the time of Jethro’s visit with Moses:
1) it was while Israel was “encamped at the mount of God” (v 5) - This incident occurred just as Israel was about to leave Mount Sinai, and enter the wilderness of Paran. In chapter 17, Israel had not even reached Mount Sinai yet.
2) Israel finally comes to Mount Sinai in the third month after their release from Egyptian captivity. (Exodus 19:1-2) Yet, in Exodus 18:5, we find Jethro coming to visit Moses “where he encamped at the mount of God.” This proves that chapter 18 is not in chronological order in the book of Exodus, but is placed there for its teachings concerning the Millennial Reign.
B. Moses tells Jethro all that God has done for Israel v 6-12 Even though Jethro was a Gentile, he still rejoiced in God’s blessings upon Israel for he also was trusting in the true and living God. Jethro even gave burnt offerings unto the Lord which showed that, like Israel, he also was looking for the Lamb of God Who was only pictured by the sacrifices he was giving. (Hebrews 10:4-5; 9:13-14; 25-28)
II JETHRO’S ADVICE TO MOSES v 13-27
A. Jethro watched as Moses judged all the children of Israel’s matters by himself v 13-18 Jethro was an old man by now and had gained some good Godly wisdom in all his years of serving the Lord. He loved Moses and had great respect for him. Thus, when he saw something that would help Moses, he naturally wanted to pass along his advice. Jethro’s advice was good advice for shortly after Jethro leaves, God instructs Moses also to choose out seventy men to help Moses bear the burden of the people. (Numbers 11:11-17; Deuteronomy 1:9-18; Proverbs 16:31)
B. Jethro advises Moses to select some men out of Israel to help judge the matters of the people v 19-23 Placing judges over certain amounts of people, no doubt, is a picture of the government by which the Lord will rule the earth during the Millennial Reign. (Matthew 25:21; Luke 19:16-19; Revelation 20:4-6)
C. Moses followed the good advice of his father-in-law v 24-27 This court system that Jethro advised, and God commanded, Moses to set up in Israel is still being used as the basis for the judicial system of many nations today. Jethro preferred to return to his own land and to his own people, and so soon left Moses in Mount Sinai.
TEACHERS’ TIP: AS A MAN GROWS OLDER AND WISER, HE TALKS LESS AND SAYS MORE.
NEXT MEMORY VERSE: John 1:17
TOPIC: Jethro Visits Moses
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 18
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 27:17
Lesson 18 Exodus 18
INTRODUCTION: In this chapter we come to a parenthesis in the book of Exodus. The events of this chapter actually happened about eleven months later, so this chapter is not in chronological order in the book of Exodus, but this chapter is placed here for a good reason. Chapter 16 told us about the manna, the bread from Heaven, which pictures Christ being smitten on the cross - The Crucifixion. The last part of chapter 17 told us about the war with Amalek, which pictures the battle the Christian has with the old fleshly nature. This battle with the flesh will continue until the Christian is given a brand new body at the second coming of Christ - The Rapture. The story of Jethro’s visit with Moses pictures for us the next prophetical event, in order, after the Tribulation Period - The Millennial Reign. In this chapter we see that JETHRO VISITS MOSES.
I THE VISIT OF JETHRO v 1-12
A. Jethro comes to visit Moses with Moses’ wife and sons v 1-5 JETHRO (v 1) - “excellence” (also called “Reuel” - Exodus 3:1; and “Raguel” - Numbers 10:29) ZIPPORAH (v 2) - “sparrow” GERSHOM (v 3) - “a stranger” ELIEZER (v 4) - “God is my Helper” This was a family reunion for Moses. Moses had apparently sent Zipporah and his two sons home to Jethro’s house after the incident at the inn when Zipporah called Moses a “bloody husband.” (Exodus 4:25-26) Zipporah, being restored to her husband Moses, is a picture of how Israel, the wife of Jehovah, will be restored unto the Lord during the Millennial Reign. (Isaiah 54:4-8; Joel 3:16-17)
NOTE: Notice the time of Jethro’s visit with Moses:
1) it was while Israel was “encamped at the mount of God” (v 5) - This incident occurred just as Israel was about to leave Mount Sinai, and enter the wilderness of Paran. In chapter 17, Israel had not even reached Mount Sinai yet.
2) Israel finally comes to Mount Sinai in the third month after their release from Egyptian captivity. (Exodus 19:1-2) Yet, in Exodus 18:5, we find Jethro coming to visit Moses “where he encamped at the mount of God.” This proves that chapter 18 is not in chronological order in the book of Exodus, but is placed there for its teachings concerning the Millennial Reign.
B. Moses tells Jethro all that God has done for Israel v 6-12 Even though Jethro was a Gentile, he still rejoiced in God’s blessings upon Israel for he also was trusting in the true and living God. Jethro even gave burnt offerings unto the Lord which showed that, like Israel, he also was looking for the Lamb of God Who was only pictured by the sacrifices he was giving. (Hebrews 10:4-5; 9:13-14; 25-28)
II JETHRO’S ADVICE TO MOSES v 13-27
A. Jethro watched as Moses judged all the children of Israel’s matters by himself v 13-18 Jethro was an old man by now and had gained some good Godly wisdom in all his years of serving the Lord. He loved Moses and had great respect for him. Thus, when he saw something that would help Moses, he naturally wanted to pass along his advice. Jethro’s advice was good advice for shortly after Jethro leaves, God instructs Moses also to choose out seventy men to help Moses bear the burden of the people. (Numbers 11:11-17; Deuteronomy 1:9-18; Proverbs 16:31)
B. Jethro advises Moses to select some men out of Israel to help judge the matters of the people v 19-23 Placing judges over certain amounts of people, no doubt, is a picture of the government by which the Lord will rule the earth during the Millennial Reign. (Matthew 25:21; Luke 19:16-19; Revelation 20:4-6)
C. Moses followed the good advice of his father-in-law v 24-27 This court system that Jethro advised, and God commanded, Moses to set up in Israel is still being used as the basis for the judicial system of many nations today. Jethro preferred to return to his own land and to his own people, and so soon left Moses in Mount Sinai.
TEACHERS’ TIP: AS A MAN GROWS OLDER AND WISER, HE TALKS LESS AND SAYS MORE.
NEXT MEMORY VERSE: John 1:17
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