LEADING AND LEARNING. EXODUS 18 “All that God had done.” Exodus 18:1-12 There were others besides the Israelites in Old Testament times who worshipped the One true God. "In every nation, he that fears God and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." Melchizedek and Jethro were two such individuals. Jethro would have seen God working in Moses for forty years and recognized the changes God can bring in a man who "fears Him and worketh righteousness." Jethro would have learned much about God through Moses, and Moses received his wife and learned wisdom on how to lead and feed sheep through Jethro.
We know from reading the scriptures that our God is infinite in His being and eternal in His existence. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present everywhere. The book of Psalms teaches that His works are “terrible… incomparable… great… manifold and marvelous.” Although we cannot fully describe God Himself, we know He is perfect… righteous… just… true… inscrutable, with no limitations in any of His ways. His goodness and love, His power and grace, are accessible to us.
The work of God we observe in those around us influences us when we pay attention. We can learn about ourselves through what God teaches as He trains others. We benefit greatly from sharing God’s dealings with one another. By introducing others to the Lord, we become more aware of God ourselves. Our relationships with others bless us in many ways. The gifts they give us not only bless them in giving and us in receiving, but also help us grow in our knowledge of God. Ultimately, what we give of ourselves and our understanding of Him helps us become more Christ-like.
When Jethro and Moses met, there was clear respect between them. Respect for others isn't something that can be easily faked. We might follow certain cultural protocols, but the words and facial and body expressions reveal the true nature of respect. Moses would have been happy to greet his wife and sons privately, as that was personal to them all. Moses recounted how God had intervened many times with the Egyptians. God's goodness during the journey, demonstrated by miraculously providing for safety, physical needs, and victory over the Amalekites, would have pleased Jethro. That would have strengthened his belief in the reality and power of God.
It is beneficial to share our experiences with God with others. This isn't just for our benefit but also to demonstrate how God still performs great acts today, just as He did in the past. God has not stopped being for His people and with His people. "God's name is great among the Gentiles." Sometimes, we believe we are the only ones God recognizes. That was a characteristic of the Hebrew people in the past, and we can fall into the same mindset concerning our gatherings and those who meet in a similar way to us.
It is wise for us to remember that God is not limited in how He interacts with people. We must fulfill the calling and place where God has put us. It is not our right to judge those God uses in His own way elsewhere. Sharing how God has worked in our lives is a powerful way to testify to our faith. Recounting His blessings publicly brings joy among God’s people when they gather. This joy encourages the saints and proclaims God's greatness and grace.
Little faith is strengthened through greater faith by hearing about the marvelous acts of God on behalf of His people, whether they are assemblies or individuals. Such testimony draws others' attention to what God is doing for His people, focusing on the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has the power to save despite the forces of darkness and the obstacles they place in His way. Our mission remains to represent our Savior and King despite our shortcomings.