Exodus - 45 part 1 - Exod. 18:1-12 - For God Loved the World

This lesson is split into two parts.  Here in part 1 we meet a relative of Moses, Jethro.  His name in Hebrew is pronounced יִתְרוֹ - YEE TRO. 

In this study of Exodus 18 we will concentrate on a couple of items in part 1.   First, we will study the FACT that Jethro is NOT Moses’ father-in-law.  Our Bible in English says he is and it brings up contradictions that some scholars try to explain like Moses’ father-in-law had several names – culturally and historically untrue.  They stay in the English and state that Reuel (Exodus. 2:18) and Jethro (Exodus 3:1 and 18:1) and Hobab (Jud. 4:11) are all the same guy.  Yes, Reuel is a priest of Midian and so is Jethro.  Pagan cultures had many priests not just one.  It is rational to think that Moses married into a pagan priestly family and thus one of Reuel’s daughters married another priest whose name is Jethro.  This would imply Jethro is Moses’ brother-in-law.  And, this makes sense.  But, we will study this in the Hebrew and NOT English and find the Hebrew word translated as father-in-law also is translated in the Bible as mother-in-law and also translated as marriages.  We will see that in the Hebrew the contradiction is not a contradiction at all.

Secondly,  we will see that the Hebrew Bible shows that amazing love God has for non-Hebrews.  The example in Exodus 18 is of course Jethro.  But there are others.  Remember Pharaoh’s daughter, a pagan princess who saved Moses and became is step mom.  Remember Hagar, the pagan Egyptian servant girl of Sarah’s.  The Angel of the Lord first appears to her.  Not Abraham.  Not Sarah.  But to a pagan servant.  And remember Ruth coming out of the pagan Midianite culture who turned to the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of Israel and became an ancestor of the Messiah, of Yeshua Adonaynoo, Jesus our Lord.  This chapter is a clear indication that God wants all men to be rescued from their sin and to be His people.  Check it out …

“Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Eze 33:11)

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.”

(Eze 18:32)

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isa 45:22)

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Joh 3:16)

There is no separation in the eyes of the Lord as He looks down upon mankind.  All lives matter to Him. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0