Oh Happy Day
In Midian, Jethro the priest, his daughter Zipporah, and two sons von Mose, Gershom and Eliieser, waited for the day that would end their separation from Moses. Moses had sent Zipporah, his wife and their sons from Egypt back to Midian. Moses himself carried out God's commission with his brother Aaron to lead Israel out of Egypt and end slavery.
1. A message spread
After a very long time, finally the good news! The father-in-law Jethro heard that God had helped Moses and all the people and had led them out of Egypt.
2. Several days of hiking
Jethro acted and set out with Zipporah and the sons. They marched from Midian through the desert to the mountain of God Sinai. Several 100,000 Israelites camped there.
Jethro told Moses, "Your father-in-law Jethro has arrived with your wife and two sons."
3. A joyful encounter
Moses went to meet his family and bowed to his father-in-law. They greeted each other warmly, asked each other about their well-being. Then they went into Moses' tent.
4. Moses' Journey and Experience Report
Moses told what the Lord God had done to Pharaoh and Egypt to save the Israelites. He did not conceal the many difficulties, but he also told how the Lord had helped them.
Stations of the hike:
- Crossing the Red Sea
- In Mara: The bitter water becomes drinkable
- In Elim: An oasis with 12 springs and 70 palm trees.
- Desert Sin: Moses and Aaron were attacked. The people grumbled. Moses prayed to the Lord. God sent manna and quails. They were well supplied with food (bread and meat)
- In Refidim: water shortage. Moses struck the rock, water flowed in abundance.
- In the same place there was a threat from the enemies Amalekites. They wanted to destroy Israel, but Israel won with God's help.
- From Refidim the Israelites walked to Mount Sinai.
5. Reaction to the travel report
Moses' father-in-law could no longer remain silent. He was very happy that the Lord had done so much good for the Israelites. Jethro worshiped the Lord.
His mouth overflows.
Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Exodus 18:10 (ESV)
His heart was fully convinced.
Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” Exodus 18:11 (ESV)
6. Jethro's Gratitude
Jethro honored the Lord God with a burnt offering and sacrifice. Together with Aaron, the brother Moses and all the clan leaders of the Israelites, they took part in the sacrificial meal to honor God. According to Exodus 18:1-12
7. What a great experience
What triggered Yitro's sudden reaction? He heard of God's great deeds, which touched his heart more and more. His faith was strengthened. This triggered the certainty in him: Now he knew that the Lord is greater than all other gods! Praise be to the Lord!
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
Job 19:25 (ESV)
8. Accept God's offer
What a glorious moment when a messenger from God comes to bring good news! The Word of God is full of good news. It is important to know them by reading and listening.
It is said in the Holy Scriptures: This message is heard all over the earth, it reaches even the most distant countries. According to Romans 10
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)
Author: Edith Waechter
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