JETHRO COUNSELS MOSES Text: Exodus 18:1-27    Memory Verse: “Hearken now Unto my voice, I will give thee Counsel, and God shall be with you: Be thou for the People to God-ward, that thou Mayest bring the causes unto God” (Exodus 118:19).   This study centres on the visit of Jethro, the father-in-law Of Moses, with Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and his two sons – Gershom and Eliezer. “When Jethro , the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, and that how the Lord had Brought Israel out of Egypt:… And Jethro, Moses’ father In-law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into The wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God’ (verse 1,5). Jethro acknowledged the power and presence of God in the life of Moses and the children of Israel. His act of Praise and worship unto God, as well as his wise counsel were Sources of encouragement to Moses and his ministry. “So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did All that he had said. And Moses let his father in law depart; And he went his way into his own land” (verses 24,27). The place of God-inspired counsel in the life and ministry of Every child of God is paramount for all-round safety. Wise Counsel rooted in the Scriptures, is a reliable compass that Guides the children of God in the wilderness of life. This Summarises Jethro’s counsel to Moses. “If thou shalt do this Thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able To endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in Peace” (verse 23). The lessons for Christian youths in Jethro’s Submission are: one, a counsellor does not force his opinion On the counsellee; two, a counsellee has the obligation to Cross-check the advice given to him by the counsellor with the Word of God.   JETHRO’S VISIT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GOD’S MIGHT (Exodus 18:1-12; Luke 10:17-20;Acts 11:17,18;14:27) During Jethro’s visit to Moses, he acknowledged the power Of God among the children of Israel. He also came with Moses’ Wife and his two sons-Gershom and Eliezer. Having heard all That God had done to Moses and Israel, Jethro initiated Reunion of Moses with his wife and two children. This act of Jethro reflects his acknowledgement of the sacredness of Marriage institution; no circumstance should be allowed for Its dissolution. “And said, For this cause shall a man leave Father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they Twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more Twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined Together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:5,6). As Jethro strived for the reunion of Moses with his family, it Is the duty of a saved youth to ensure the unity of his family And the church of God. We can do this by praying for the unity Of the church and that of our family. “That they all may be One; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me. And they twain shall be one flesh: so Then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What Therefore God hath joined together, let not man put Asunder… Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for This is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the First commandment with promise;) That it may be well With thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth”(John 17:21;Mark 10: 8, 9; Ephesians 6:1-3).   Question 1: Christian youths should endeavour to assist In keeping their families together through praying and Sound scriptural living. True or False   “And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to lsrael, whom he had delivered out of The hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be The LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath Delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians” (verses 9,10). It is instructive to note that Jethro’s Joy and praise to God was because he heard about how He Delivered the children of lsrael from the bondage of the Egyptians. Likewise, as children of God, we should rejoice Whenever we hear of souls getting saved, the oppressed and Afflicted being set free, the backslider being restored and Breakthroughs taking place in families (Acts 11:17,18).   Question 2:What should be our attitude as we hear of God’s mighty deeds in the lives of others?   “And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did Obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of Their welfare; and they came into the tent. And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices For God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to Eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God(Exodus 18:7,12). Christian youths are expected to derive sincere  joy In the progress of others. The disposition of Jethro is worthy Of emulation. Christian lea ders should learn to give ample Time for testimonies of God’s goodness to encourage others Who are believing God for divine visitation.   JETHRO’S CONCERN AND ADVICE TO MOSES (Exodus 18: 13-23: 1 Kings 1:11-14:Ruth 3:1-4;Proverbs 11:14; Isaiah 11:2;28:29)   Jethro’s concern for Moses reflects his perceived in sight Into Moses’ general wellbeing. “And when Moses’ father in Law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this Thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou Thy self alone, and all the people stand by thee from Morning unto even?” (Exodus 18:14). In our School Fellowship and Youth Home Success Fellowship, we can Show sincere concern towards reducing the hardship some of Our brethren may be passing through by giving a godly Counsel. Jethro, Moses father-in-law counselled Moses to provide Able men that fear God and appoint them rulers over Thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens (verses 19, 20,21). This is reflected in the present-day administration in the Church where we have overseer s, pastors, sectional leaders And Youth Home Success Fellowship officers. “if thou shalt Do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their Place in peace”(verse 23), Observe the that Jethro did not have Any intention to force his counsel on Moses. Besides, he Subjected his counsel to God’s command. This same Disposition should characterize our lives as school Officers/visitors, district youth representatives and leaders.   Question 3:Mention the counsel Jethro gave to Moses. His Son-in-law.   Sundry counsel abound in the Scriptures. God the Creator, counsels youths that are still living in sin to “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Sinning youths are to repent, believe on The Lord Jesus and be saved! To Christian youths, God Counsels, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou Not. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy In all manner of conversation” (Proverbs 1:10;1 Peter 1:15). God calls us to a life of separation from the world and to Be holy. As we yield to His counsel by consecrating  our lives And praying in faith, He will no doubt sanctify us. To the Sanctified youths, Jesus counsels: “And, behold, I send the Promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). And to all believers, Christ counsels, “Occupy Till I come” (Luke 19:13). Jesus is coming again! How Glorious it will be as He finds us obeying His command! (Matthew 24:45,46). Christ, our Saviour counsels again, “Let Not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also In me. N my Father’s house are many mansions: if it Were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place For you. And if l go and prepare a place for you, I will come Again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, There ye may be also(John 14:1-3).What comfort and hope We have as we heed Christ’s reassuring counsels.   JETHRO’S COUNSEL ACCEPTED BY MOSES (Exodus 18:24-27; Proverbs 73:24;Ruth 3:5) Moses accepted the counsel of Jethro and did all that he Said. “So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in Law, and did all that he had said” (verse 24). It is worthy to Note that Moses showed readiness to carry out every Command to the letter. This same attitude is found in other Servants of God in the Scriptures like Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4),Moses and Aaron (Exodus 7:6; 8:16-17),Joshua (Joshua 6:1-5,20) and the Disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).   Question 4: Mention some lessons from the acceptance of Jethro’s advice by Moses.   There are pertinent lessons from the acceptance of Jethro’s Advice by Moses. One, Moses did not allow his own  position of Authority to becloud his sense of humility and sincerity. Two, Moses acted on the counsel immediately. He did not wait for a Convenient time. The great commission is a great command From our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christian youths, we must Obey it with all sense of urgency. Three, Moses had respect And honour for his father-in-law, though a priest of Median. He did not allow the pride of we are God’s chosen people to Overshadow his sense of right judgment. Four, the Acceptance of Jethro’s advice by Moses brought about ease of Administration into the system.   Question 5: What should be the attitude of Christian Youths to advice from counsellors?   “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the Multitude of counsellors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).Christian youths should verify the counsel in line With the Scripture; be humble and receptive, and respond Positively and promptly.