Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people Israel and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. (Exodus 18: 1, God's Word Translation)
As probably is the case with many of you, this week has already been a hectic one. My family and I are making preparations for Thanksgiving travel, coordinating with family members which particular dishes are going to be prepared by whom, and overall, just enjoying the freedom and blessings of this holiday season. That being said, my Manly Monday post this week is more of a Thanksgiving Thoughts Thursday, giving to the fact that in all the holiday planning, I've found myself hardpressed to find time to sit down and type out the thoughts that have been going through my head. Thankfully, I have a few moments this morning before we embark on our Thanksgiving festivities, so here are the thoughts the Lord has given me this week.
I knew from the start this week that I wanted to write a post about thankfulness since Thanksgiving naturally lends itself to that. I also knew that if I listed all the blessings I have to be thankful for, my post would be at least twenty pages long, if not longer. As I prayed about what to write, God showed me one partiucular group of people in my life that I should be especially thankful for this year: the Jethroes. No, not the large, not-so-bright nephew/cousin from The Beverly Hillbillies (although, if you have some of these in your life be thankful as well; they can bring a lot of laughter and humor into things), but those older men that God has placed into my life over the years. I want to use this post to express thankfulness to them. But first, let's look at today's Scripture passage.
In this passage, Moses and the Israelites have just defeated the Amalekites. Moses has built an altar on the spot and called it "Jehovah-Nissi" (The Lord is My Banner). Jethro brings Moses' wife Zipporah and Moses' two young sons Gershom and Eliezer to him at the Israelites' camp. When we read Exodus 18, we can notice three things about Jethro:
1. He was available - Exodus 18:1-8 - When Moses had to send his wife and young sons away while he dealt with the business of confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites, Jethro took them in and cared for them. When the time was right, he sent word to Moses that he was bringing his family back to him. Jethro was there when Moses needed him and met him at the place of his victory. Not only was Jethro physically available, but he was also emotionally available. In verses 7 and 8, Moses and Jethro ask each other how the other is, then spend time in the tent with Moses recounting all that God had done for them. What a blessing it is when a godly mentor makes himself physically and emotionally available to us.
2. He rejoiced in Moses' victories with him - Exodus 18:9 - 12 - These verses say that Jethro was delighted to hear all that God had done for the Israelites. How much do you think it strengthed Moses to hear this from his father-in-law and to watch as Jethro offered his own sacrifices to God? Then Moses, Jethro, and the other Israelite leaders shared a meal in the Lord's presence. Who of us as men has not wanted someone to be proud of us? I have a feeling that Moses knew what it was to feel proud that day.
3. He offered practical advice - Exodus 18: 13 - 26 - Jethro saw a problem in Moses' life that was affecting him and he provided solid, practical advice to help him manage and solve it. This again shows the relationship between the two men, and the respect Moses had for Jethro. Some of the best advice he offers to Moses is in verse 18 "You can't do it alone!" That could be a whole other post. By the end of the chapter, we see Moses following Jethro's advice, and this makes things a whole lot more manageable.
As I look at these three points, several men begin to come to mind from my past. Men like Audie Vaughn, who served as my first pastor when I was a child and who gave me the honor of preaching my first sermon in his pulpit; my father, who instilled in me a love of outdoors and a love of reading, both which still follow me today; Craig Eidson, a Chi Alpha pastor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University who, despite my best efforts to isolate myself in my graduate studies and my apartment, saw a calling and potential in me and began to give me opportunities to work within youth ministry; Dr. Rodney Scott, my graduate advisor who wouldn't let me take the easy way out when it came time to jump into "the real world"; Tim Broughton, my Sunday School teacher and friend who mentored me before I got married; Pastor Darren Rogers, who counseled Mandee and I before we got married and who continues to be a source of encouragement and humor as our pastor; Pastor Bob Wingo, who I had the privelege to serve with in my first youth pastor position; Pastor Jim Bales, who saw to it that his church in Warren, Arkansas took us in and who allowed us to work with a great group of youth for almost two years; and last, but certainly not least, my own father-in-law, Jeff Kennedy. From telling me it had been a while since he had beat up a guy (this was when I first approached him about courting Mandee) to showing me how to make home and auto repairs, Jeff continues to be an important mentor in my life. Which Jethroes do you have to be thankful for in your life? Maybe you will have the opportunity to thank them this Thanksgiving. Even if you don't see them, or if they are no longer living, we can offer thanks to God for them:
Father, I thank you for the godly men you have placed in my life over the years, As your word says in Proverbs 22, iron sharpens iron, and I know that you have used these men to sharpen, and continue sharpening my life. May we also make ourselves available, rejoice with others in their victories, and share solid practical advice with those younger men you place into our lives. Father, we are truly thankful for every blessing you have given us. May we use every blessing and every opportunity, to glorify Your Name and establish Your Name on this earth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
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