Yesterday we read how Jethro was affected by hearing Moses’ testimony of God’s power and goodness towards his people. His immediate reaction was to praise God, make an offering to him, and draw closer in fellowship with God’s people.

The next day, we see Jethro in action again. This time, though, he is not the one receiving, he is the one giving. Seeing that Moses is overwhelmed with the sheer number of people coming to him seeking wise judgement, Jethro intervenes with some wisdom of his own.

Jethro’s advice is good advice and he is careful to submit it to the Lord’s wishes. His expertise possibly comes from years of managing a large, busy household of family members, servants, labourers and livestock, as well as serving as a ‘priest of Midian’. He has accumulated much wisdom in his life. However, he also benefits from a God-given wisdom to recognise that his expertise can make a real difference for Moses at this time and in this place.

So, we see a very quick progression for Jethro, from a man coming with curiosity and questions, to a man giving wise advice to the leader of a nation. Moses engaged with Jethro through the word of his testimony. This testimony provoked Jethro to engage with God through praise and offerings. Now Jethro engages with Moses through wisdom and good counsel. God’s goodness goes in a complete circle, from the testimony of Moses to Jethro, to the wise counsel from Jethro to Moses.

We do not often get to see such a quick outcome when we share the goodness of God with others. We might never know what happens to the people we speak to, and some may even appear to reject what they hear. Yet the Word of the Lord goes out and does not return empty, but accomplishes what the Lord desires (Isaiah 55:11), so let us be courageous in sharing the goodness of the Lord, and trust him for the outcome.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH