◄ Exodus 18:8 ►
Then Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardships they had encountered along the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.
Study Bible
Then Moses recounted
The act of recounting here is significant. The Hebrew root for "recounted" is "saphar," which means to relate or declare. This is not merely a casual conversation but a deliberate and detailed narration. Moses is fulfilling a role as a witness to God's mighty acts. In a conservative Christian perspective, this emphasizes the importance of testimony in the life of faith. Sharing what God has done is a way to glorify Him and encourage others.

to his father-in-law
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, is a Midianite priest. This relationship highlights the bridging of cultural and religious divides. Jethro's role in Moses' life is significant, as he later provides wise counsel. The interaction between Moses and Jethro underscores the value of family and mentorship, even across different belief systems. It also reflects the biblical principle of honoring one's elders and seeking wisdom from those with more experience.

all that the LORD had done
The phrase "all that the LORD had done" is a comprehensive statement. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel. This recounting is not just about events but about the divine intervention and faithfulness of God. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His active role in the lives of His people.

to Pharaoh and the Egyptians
Pharaoh and the Egyptians represent the oppressors of Israel. The mention of them highlights the dramatic reversal of fortunes orchestrated by God. Historically, Egypt was a powerful empire, and God's deliverance of Israel from their grasp is a testament to His power over nations. This serves as a reminder that no earthly power can stand against God's will.

for Israel’s sake
The phrase "for Israel’s sake" underscores God's covenant relationship with Israel. The deliverance was not just an act of power but an act of love and faithfulness to His chosen people. This reflects the conservative Christian understanding of God's faithfulness to His promises and His people.

all the hardships they had encountered along the way
The journey of Israel was fraught with challenges. The Hebrew word for "hardships" is "tela'ah," which can mean toil or trouble. This acknowledges the reality of suffering and struggle in the journey of faith. Yet, it also highlights God's presence and provision through those difficulties, encouraging believers to trust in God's guidance through their own trials.

and how the LORD had delivered them
The deliverance by the LORD is the climax of the narrative. The Hebrew root for "delivered" is "natsal," meaning to snatch away or rescue. This is a powerful image of salvation, reflecting the core Christian belief in God's saving power. It serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance through Christ, reinforcing the theme of redemption that runs throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. He shares the testimony of God's deliverance with his father-in-law.

2. Jethro
Moses' father-in-law, also known as Reuel, a priest of Midian. He visits Moses and hears about the LORD's mighty works.

3. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who opposed the Israelites' departure, leading to the plagues and eventual exodus.

4. The Egyptians
The oppressors of the Israelites, who suffered under the plagues as a result of Pharaoh's hardened heart.

5. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered His people from slavery in Egypt through miraculous signs and wonders.
Teaching Points
The Power of Testimony
Sharing what God has done in our lives can strengthen the faith of others and bring glory to God. Moses' recounting of God's deliverance serves as a powerful testimony to Jethro.

God's Faithfulness in Hardships
The Israelites faced many hardships, yet God delivered them. This reminds us that God is faithful and present in our struggles.

The Importance of Remembrance
Recounting past deliverances helps us remember God's faithfulness and encourages us to trust Him in current and future challenges.

The Role of Leadership
Moses' leadership is marked by his reliance on God and his willingness to share God's works with others. Effective leadership involves pointing others to God's power and faithfulness.

Intergenerational Faith Sharing
Moses shares God's deeds with his father-in-law, illustrating the importance of passing down faith accounts to different generations and family members.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' recounting of God's deliverance to Jethro encourage us to share our own testimonies with others?

2. In what ways can remembering past hardships and God's deliverance help us face current challenges with faith?

3. How does the account of the exodus, as recounted by Moses, connect with the broader account of God's faithfulness throughout the Bible?

4. What can we learn from Moses' leadership style in terms of relying on God and sharing His works with others?

5. How can we incorporate the practice of sharing God's faithfulness with our family and community into our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 3-14
These chapters provide the background of the plagues and the exodus, detailing the events Moses recounts to Jethro.

Psalm 105
This psalm recounts the history of Israel, including the exodus, highlighting God's faithfulness and mighty deeds.

Acts 7:35-36
Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin references Moses and the exodus, emphasizing God's deliverance.

Hebrews 11:24-29
The faith of Moses is highlighted, showing his trust in God's promises and deliverance.
Sermons
Jethro's Visit - Moses in His Domestic RelationsD. Young Exodus 18:1-12
The Consolations of Those Who Suffer Loss for the Kingdom of GodJ. Urquhart Exodus 18:1-12
The Visit of JethroJ. Orr Exodus 18:1-13
Friendship in its Loftiest FormH.T. Robjohns Exodus 18:6-12
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, Zipporah
Places
Egypt, Midian, Rephidim
Topics
Account, Along, Befallen, Deliver, Delivered, Egyptians, Father-in-law, Hardship, Hardships, Israel's, Journey, Law, Met, Pharaoh, Recounteth, Sake, Salvation, Saved, Travail, Trouble, Troubles
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 18:8

     4020   life, of faith
     5569   suffering, hardship

Library
The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. Gladstone's Death. ]
'Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.'--EXODUS xviii. 21. You will have anticipated my purpose in selecting this text. I should be doing violence to your feelings and mine if I made no reference to the event which has united the Empire and the world in one sentiment. The great tree has fallen, and the crash has for the moment silenced all the sounds of the forest. Wars abroad and controversies at home are …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gershom and Eliezer
'The name of the one [of Moses' sons] was Gershom ... and the name of the other was Eliezer....'--EXODUS xviii. 3, 4. In old times parents often used to give expression to their hopes or their emotions in the names of their children. Very clearly that was the case in Moses' naming of his two sons, who seem to have been the whole of his family. The significance of each name is appended to it in the text. The explanation of the first is, 'For he said, I have been an alien in a strange land'; and that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Origin and Growth of Law.
MOSES' WORK AS JUDGE AND PROPHET.--Ex. 18; 1-27; 33:5-11. Parallel References. Hist. Bible I, 198-203. Prin. of Politics, Ch. VI. Maine, Ancient Law. Jehovah spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend--Ex. 33: 11. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard cases they brought unto Moses, but every small …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Easter Tuesday
Second Sermon. Same Text. Acts 13, 26-39. THE WORD AND THE RESURRECTION.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon appeared first in the Church Postil, the Explanation of the Epistle and Gospel Texts from Easter to Advent. Printed by Hans Lufft, Wittenberg, 1559.] 1. This sermon was preached by Paul in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where were gathered with the Jews some Greek converts. Wherever in a city Jews were to be found, there also were their synagogues in which they taught and preached; and many …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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