Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God. Jethro brings a burnt offering and sacrifices — acts of worship appropriate to someone making covenant with God. The meal that follows, eaten in God's presence with Aaron and the elders of Israel, is a covenant table. The Midianite priest is welcomed into the fellowship of the covenant community through the confession of verse 11 and the worship of verse 12. Numbers 10:29–32 will record Moses inviting Jethro's son Hobab to travel with Israel. The inclusion of the Midianite family in Israel's community is an early enactment of the universal mission embedded in the Abrahamic covenant.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse