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Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Exodus, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God’s Identity and Power
Redemption and Deliverance
The Covenant
Mediators and the Priesthood
Summary
Analysis
Moses’s father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, hears what God has done for the Israelites. Moses has sent Zipporah and his sons Gershom and Eliezer to live with Jethro. When the Israelites are encamped at the mountain of God, Jethro brings Zipporah and her sons to see Moses. When Jethro hears the full story of how God has delivered the Israelites, he blesses the LORD and sacrifices to God; Aaron and the elders eat bread with Jethro, too.
After a period of struggle and conflict, Moses shares a peaceful interlude with Jethro who, though he’s a Midianite (hence not an Israelite), recognizes God’s power and even worships him. Eating bread with Aaron and the elders is a sacred meal representing peaceful fellowship in God’s presence.
Themes
The next day, Moses judges cases for the people from morning until evening. Jethro asks why Moses does this, and Moses explains that when the people have any dispute with one another, they come to him to inquire of God on their behalf. Jethro argues that Moses will wear himself out. He should continue representing the people before God and instructing them in God’s ways, but he should appoint trustworthy men to serve as judges over groups of Israelites. The more important cases can be brought to Moses, but the burden will be reduced. Moses follows this advice, appointing judges over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
After dwelling together in the desert for this long, the Israelites would have plenty of disputes needing settlement. Seeing this, Jethro helps create a more sustainable system for dealing with these cases—the earliest organization of the people of Israel into a functioning nation. Life in the wilderness isn’t just dependent on miracles; deliverance from slavery involves practical considerations, too.
Themes
