Was Jethro a Believer?
In the biblical narrative, Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, plays a significant role in Moses’ life and the development of the Israelite community. The question of whether Jethro was a believer is a topic of much debate among scholars and theologians. This article aims to explore the evidence and arguments surrounding this question, ultimately arriving at a well-reasoned conclusion.
Firstly, it is important to note that the Bible does not explicitly state whether Jethro was a follower of the God of Israel or not. However, there are several pieces of evidence that suggest he may have been a believer. One of the most compelling pieces of evidence comes from the book of Exodus. After Moses had successfully led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, he returned to Jethro’s house in Midian. Upon hearing of the wonders that God had performed for the Israelites, Jethro blessed Moses and the people of Israel, saying, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians” (Exodus 18:10). This act of blessing suggests that Jethro recognized the power of the God of Israel and may have been a believer himself.
Another piece of evidence comes from the fact that Jethro offered Moses his daughter, Zipporah, in marriage. This act of offering his daughter to Moses can be seen as a sign of respect and admiration for Moses and his God. Furthermore, Jethro’s subsequent involvement in the Israelite community, such as his advice to Moses on how to govern the people (Exodus 18:17-27), indicates that he was not only familiar with the God of Israel but also willing to support and assist the Israelites in their worship and governance.
On the other hand, some scholars argue that Jethro may not have been a full-fledged believer. They point to the fact that Jethro was a priest of Midian, a neighboring people group that worshiped other gods. This raises the question of whether Jethro’s beliefs were purely cultural or if he genuinely believed in the God of Israel. Additionally, the biblical narrative does not provide any explicit evidence that Jethro converted to the worship of the God of Israel after his encounter with Moses.
In conclusion, while the Bible does not provide a definitive answer to whether Jethro was a believer, the evidence suggests that he may have been. His act of blessing Moses and the people of Israel, his marriage to Zipporah, and his involvement in the Israelite community all point to the possibility that he recognized and respected the God of Israel. Ultimately, whether Jethro was a full-fledged believer or simply a man who admired the God of Israel remains a matter of debate, but the evidence leans towards the conclusion that he was indeed a believer.
