◄ Exodus 18:9 ►
And Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had rescued from the hand of the Egyptians.
Study Bible
Jethro rejoiced
The name "Jethro" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "his abundance" or "excellence." Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, was a Midianite priest, which indicates a position of respect and wisdom. His rejoicing signifies a deep, heartfelt response to God's actions. In the Hebrew context, rejoicing often involves a communal celebration, reflecting not just personal joy but a shared acknowledgment of divine intervention. This moment highlights the universal recognition of God's power, transcending cultural and religious boundaries.

in all the good things
The phrase "all the good things" underscores the comprehensive nature of God's blessings. In Hebrew, "good" (טוֹב, tov) conveys not only moral goodness but also well-being and prosperity. This reflects the holistic nature of God's provision, encompassing physical, spiritual, and communal aspects. Historically, this would remind the Israelites of the tangible and intangible benefits of their liberation, reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people.

the LORD had done
The use of "the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) is significant, as it is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. This phrase highlights God's active role in history, as the one who initiates and accomplishes His purposes. The past tense "had done" indicates completed actions, reminding the reader of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs.

for Israel
"Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God. This name carries the meaning "he struggles with God" or "God prevails." It signifies the collective identity of the twelve tribes, chosen by God to be a light to the nations. The deliverance of Israel is a central theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing God's redemptive plan for humanity.

whom He had delivered
The word "delivered" (נָצַל, natsal) in Hebrew conveys rescue, salvation, and snatching away from danger. This term is often used in the context of divine intervention, where God acts as the ultimate savior. The deliverance from Egypt is a foundational event in Israel's history, symbolizing liberation from bondage and the beginning of a covenant relationship with God.

from the hand of the Egyptians
The "hand" symbolizes power and control in biblical literature. The Egyptians, representing a formidable empire, were oppressors of the Israelites. This phrase emphasizes the magnitude of God's deliverance, as He overcomes a powerful adversary. Historically, Egypt was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, and their defeat by God's hand would have been seen as a miraculous and awe-inspiring event, reinforcing God's supremacy over all nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jethro
Moses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian, who visits Moses in the wilderness after hearing of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage.

3. Israel
The nation chosen by God, delivered from slavery in Egypt, and led through the wilderness toward the Promised Land.

4. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who performed mighty acts to deliver Israel from Egypt.

5. Egyptians
The oppressors of Israel, from whom God delivered His people through miraculous signs and wonders.
Teaching Points
Rejoicing in God's Deliverance
Jethro's response teaches us to celebrate and acknowledge God's mighty works in our lives and the lives of others.

Recognizing God's Sovereignty
The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is a testament to God's power and faithfulness, reminding us to trust in His plans.

Sharing Testimonies
Jethro's joy was sparked by hearing of God's deeds. Sharing our testimonies can encourage and uplift others in their faith.

Gratitude for God's Goodness
Cultivating a heart of gratitude for the "good things" God has done helps us maintain a positive and hopeful outlook.

Community and Fellowship
Jethro's visit to Moses underscores the importance of community and fellowship in celebrating God's work among us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jethro's reaction to God's deliverance of Israel challenge us to respond to God's work in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we share our testimonies of God's goodness with others, as Moses did with Jethro?

3. How does recognizing God's sovereignty in past deliverances help us trust Him with current challenges?

4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate a heart of gratitude for the "good things" God has done for us?

5. How can we foster a sense of community and fellowship that encourages rejoicing in God's work among us, similar to Jethro and Moses' interaction?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 3:1
Introduces Jethro as Moses' father-in-law, providing context for their relationship.

Exodus 14:30-31
Describes the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians at the Red Sea, highlighting the miraculous nature of God's intervention.

Psalm 126:3
Reflects on the joy and gratitude for the great things the LORD has done, similar to Jethro's rejoicing.

Acts 14:27
Shows the early church rejoicing in the works God had done among the Gentiles, paralleling Jethro's joy for Israel.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Encourages believers to rejoice always and give thanks, echoing the spirit of Jethro's response.
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
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 18:9-12
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, Zipporah
Places
Egypt, Midian, Rephidim
Topics
Delighted, Delivered, Delivering, Egyptians, Freeing, Glad, Goodness, Jethro, Power, Rejoiced, Rejoiceth, Rescuing
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 18:9

     5830   delight
     5874   happiness
     8287   joy, experience

Exodus 18:9-10

     8667   praise, examples

Exodus 18:9-12

     8428   example

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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