Exodus 18 tells of Jethro's visit to Moses in the wilderness near the Mountain of God. Jethro brought Moses' wife and two sons with him to meet up with Moses. This chapter also tells of Jethro's advice to Moses about delegating authority in judging matters among the Israelites.
As the chapter begins, Jethro has heard of the great things YHWH has done for the Israelites in delivering them from Egypt and bringing them into this wilderness land that Moses and Jethro were very familiar with. Upon meeting Moses again, Jethro listens to the whole story of what has transpired from the time they left Egypt up until the present time of being camped at the base of the mountain of God. Jethro affirms that he believes that YHWH is above all other gods because He brought down the mighty and haughty Egyptians (whose idols could not help them). Jethro was a priest of the Most High (YHWH) and this account of what he had done for these people of Abraham helped to cement his faith in YHWH to the exclusion of any other gods that people around him worship, it seems. being also a descendant of Abraham through Keturah, Jethro knew that God blessed the descendants of Isaac over any of the other sons of Abraham (Keturah had 6 sons, Hagar 1). Jethro was not opposed to the Israelites like some of the descendants of Ishmael, Esau, and other sons of Keturah. He seemed to be just fine with The Most High selecting the Israelites to be His chosen people and not Midianites. Who knows what God may have disclosed to Jethro over his lifetime. But it seems obvious that he was content in his "place" in God's plan, having faith to believe God and His ways.
The number of Israelites that left Egypt was most likely several million. Moses was trying to be a righteous leader and teach these people God's ways and settle conflicts within the group. It had been three months since leaving Egypt but this was before going up to Mt. Sinai to receive the Law from God.
As the chapter begins, Jethro has heard of the great things YHWH has done for the Israelites in delivering them from Egypt and bringing them into this wilderness land that Moses and Jethro were very familiar with. Upon meeting Moses again, Jethro listens to the whole story of what has transpired from the time they left Egypt up until the present time of being camped at the base of the mountain of God. Jethro affirms that he believes that YHWH is above all other gods because He brought down the mighty and haughty Egyptians (whose idols could not help them). Jethro was a priest of the Most High (YHWH) and this account of what he had done for these people of Abraham helped to cement his faith in YHWH to the exclusion of any other gods that people around him worship, it seems. being also a descendant of Abraham through Keturah, Jethro knew that God blessed the descendants of Isaac over any of the other sons of Abraham (Keturah had 6 sons, Hagar 1). Jethro was not opposed to the Israelites like some of the descendants of Ishmael, Esau, and other sons of Keturah. He seemed to be just fine with The Most High selecting the Israelites to be His chosen people and not Midianites. Who knows what God may have disclosed to Jethro over his lifetime. But it seems obvious that he was content in his "place" in God's plan, having faith to believe God and His ways.
The number of Israelites that left Egypt was most likely several million. Moses was trying to be a righteous leader and teach these people God's ways and settle conflicts within the group. It had been three months since leaving Egypt but this was before going up to Mt. Sinai to receive the Law from God.
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