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Jethro: The Priest of Midian
by Pastor Ronald Boelte
In Exodus 18:1 Jethro is given the title "the priest of Midian".
This title may surprise you, for the Law has not yet been given on Mt.
Sinai and the priesthood has not been established. At least not the
priesthood of Aaron's line.
So far the Bible has named only one other priest of the living God—Melchizedek
(Gen. 14:18). We know from the Bible that Jethro did descend from Abraham,
but not through Sarah. The Midianites came from Abraham's marriage to
Keturah after Sarah had died. The Midianites could claim a connection to
the family through Abraham, but they had no claim to Isaac or Jacob
(Israel) as an ancestor. However, because of Moses marriage to Jethro's
daughter, Zipporah, we see a connection being built between the family of
Israel and the Midianites.
As we look at the truths that these passages in Exodus 18 bring out, we
begin to see how God was at work in a greater realm than just the family
of Israel. First, God shows us that he has always reached out to bring
sinners from every people group into a relationship with Himself. Second,
that God has established a priesthood that was bigger than the Aaronic
priesthood. Jesus' priesthood, just like Jethro and Melchizedek, is also a
true priesthood because it is based on God's word of promise and Jesus'
services to God and His people. As our High Priest, Jesus sacrificed
Himself for our sins on the cross and now continually intercedes for you
in the presence of God our Father.
In Jethro, we see a man that is much more than just Moses'
father-in-law. We see a man who has blessed his family, including Moses,
with the knowledge of the true God. Think about how you can be a blessing
to your family, especially your in-laws.
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