Jethro, Priest of Midian | HDYRI Newsletter #82
Week of 5/16/25
Last week in Episode 87 - A Test for Moses and Israel - Exodus 17, the Israelites are thirsty again, and Moses fears violence before God again makes Himself known to His people, bringing water from the stone by the staff of Moses. We discussed how the Israelites test God and Moses, and how God tests Moses and the Israelites. We paid close attention to the text as God remains faithful to His prophet and people and crushes the Amalekites who come to battle Israel, and anticipated the coming of Jethro and the arrival at Sinai.
This week in Episode 88 - Jethro, Priest of Midian - Exodus 18, Israel is again instructed in proper relationship with God by an outsider, this time by Jethro, priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses. Jethro has heard of the God of the Israelites who smashed Pharaoh and parted the waters, and he has come to serve this God of gods. Jethro assists Moses in the administration of the peoples and establishes a judicial hierarchy to lighten Moses’ burden.
Episode 88 teaser:
Until next time!
If you are interested in digging deeper on your own, here are a few resources:
Ancient Christian reading practices:
Biblical Exegesis and the Formation of Christian Culture
Medieval exegesis:
Medieval Exegesis: The Four Senses of Scripture, Vol. 1
Medieval Exegesis : The Four Senses of Scripture, Vol. 2
Second Temple Judaism:
Two Gods in Heaven: Jewish Concepts of God in Antiquity
Torah with Rabbinic Commentary:
Bereishis Genesis, Part I and II, ArtScroll Tanach Series, Translation with Commentary
Mythological:
Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel
Literary approach:
René Girard