What is the context?
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law and the priest of Midian, hears about the rescue from Egypt and comes to visit. He brings Zipporah and her two sons, whom he had received after Moses sent her back. Their names recall Moses’ life as a foreigner and God’s help in delivering him from Pharaoh.
Moses welcomes Jethro with affection and respect. Their conversation includes both the great rescue and the hardships along the way. Moses tells how the LORD has delivered Israel through those difficulties; the story has room for what they have suffered as well as what they have received.
Jethro rejoices, blesses the LORD and declares His greatness over other gods. He brings an offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron and the elders share a meal with him in God’s presence. The deliverance has become something a man from outside Israel hears about, praises God for and celebrates with the people who were rescued.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The visit is read as a response of praise and recognition of the LORD’s power. Wesley understands Jethro’s statement as an existing faith being strengthened: he already knew God, and now knows His greatness more fully. The Catholic USCCB study note also sees his sacrifice as suggesting that he was already a worshiper of Israel’s God.
Calvin agrees that Jethro acknowledges the true God, but thinks the comparison with other gods may show that some belief in lesser gods still remains. He also allows that Jethro’s new knowledge could mean an earlier faith confirmed by experience. These readings differ over how much can be concluded about Jethro’s earlier beliefs; the text clearly records his praise and offering.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Jethro’s joy gives an early example of someone outside Israel sharing in praise for God’s work among His people. That fits the wider promise in Genesis 12:1–3: God will make Abraham’s descendants a blessing, with all the families of the earth in view.
Romans 15:8–12 explains the purpose through Christ. He confirms the promises to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy; Paul calls on the nations to rejoice with God’s people. Jethro’s response is an earlier example of that shared praise, rather than a claim that Paul is specifically interpreting this visit.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.