GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN- 7- JETHRO

Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock. When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, "Why have you returned so early today?" They answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock." "And where is he?" he asked his daughters. "Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat." Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. (Exodus 2:16-21)(NIV)

The priest of Midian, Reuel or Jethro helped Moses in his distress. Moses had fled Egypt knowing that he was on Pharaoh's hit list. Jethro gave him shelter and also gave his daughter Zipporah to him in marriage. Never would have Moses dreamed of such a life having grown in the palace as Pharaoh's daughter's son. Jethro was kind to this stranger and continued in kindness later on. When commissioned by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go back to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive." Jethro said, "Go, and I wish you well." Jethro did not oppose, but on the contrary wished Moses well.

When The Lord delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians, Jethro came to Moses in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God. Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. He realized that Moses' God was the greatest and brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Later when he saw Moses tiring himself out everyday serving as judge for the people, he advised Moses to select capable men from all the people and appoint them as officials over them. When Moses obeyed him, his burden was lightened.

We do not see any ulterior motive on Jethro's part in any of these acts of his and he proved to be a great help to Moses in the second 40 years of his life.

MORAL: SELFLESSNESS IS ALWAYS REFRESHING; IT'S LIKE AN OASIS IN A VAST DESERT