1. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was a priest in Midian. He heard about the many ways that God helped Moses and the Israelites. He heard about the Lord leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
2. So Jethro went to Moses while Moses was camped near the mountain of God. Jethro brought Moses’ wife, Zipporah, with him. (Zipporah was not with Moses, because Moses had sent her home.)
3. Jethro also brought Moses’ two sons with him. The first son was named Gershom, because when he was born, Moses said, “I am a stranger in a foreign country.”
4. The other son was named Eliezer, because when he was born, Moses said, “The God of my father helped me and saved me from the king of Egypt.”
5. So Jethro went to Moses while Moses was camped in the desert near the mountain of God. Moses’ wife and his two sons were with Jethro.
6. Jethro sent a message to Moses that said, “This is your father-in-law Jethro. I am bringing your wife and her two sons to you.”
7. So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. Moses bowed down before him and kissed him. The two men asked about each other’s health. Then they went into Moses’ tent to talk more.
8. Moses told Jethro everything the Lord had done for the Israelites. He told what the Lord did to Pharaoh and the people of Egypt. He told about all the problems they had along the way. And he told his father-in-law how the Lord saved the Israelites every time there was trouble.
9. Jethro was happy when he heard all the good things the Lord had done for Israel. He was glad that the Lord had freed the Israelites from the Egyptians.
10. He said, “Praise the Lord! He freed you from the power of Egypt. He saved you from Pharaoh.
11. Now I know the Lord is greater than all the gods. They thought they were in control, but look what God did!”
12. Jethro got some sacrifices and offerings to honor God. Then Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat with Moses’ father-in-law Jethro. They all ate together there with God.