Yitro - February 6, 2021

Torah Portion:
Yitro - February 6, 2021
Torah: Exodus 18:1-20:23
Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6(6-7)*

Portion Summary:
—Jethro visits, bringing Moses’ wife and children to join him.
—He rejoices over all that has happened for the people of Israel.
—Jethro advises Moses to set up chiefs to judge on the peoples’ questions and conflicts.
—The people come to Sinai and God begins to give His Torah and the 10 commandments to Moses.

Devotional by Janet Cothrell:

“But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you’re doing is no good. You will surely wear yourself out, as well as these people who are with you…. You cannot do it alone, by yourself. Now listen to my voice…and may God be with you! You, represent the people before God, and bring their cases to God.” Exodus 18:17-19 (TLV)

The advice of a father-in-law is not always welcome, but the relationship between Moses and Jethro was a close one. It appears that Jethro was a follower of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he probably taught Moses more about Him while they lived in Midian. Jethro listened to all that had happened, and he rejoiced at God’s work for the people and his son-in-law. Then, and only then, did he make a suggestion.

Moses obviously respected Jethro and was not offended, and didn’t perceive his counsel as “meddling.” Jethro’s suggestion that Moses appoint rulers of small, medium, and large groups of people to help with the burden of caring for the community was put into practice. It had great results and became the way civil disputes were settled in the camp.

The mutual respect Moses and Jethro shared resulted in great ideas being implemented. If someone makes a suggestion to you, it is always better to consider it apart from any previous history that may have negatively affected the relationship. Doing this will promote mutual respect and reconciliation and cause the relationship to grow. Issues like these don’t have to last forever!

Lord,
Thank You for my relationships with others. You can use even those that are difficult ones to teach me to grow in love and respect for others. I specifically pray for my relationship with _____ and ask that You help me to show the respect that they need. I pray that then, they might come to respect me also.
In Yeshua’s name, amen.