Exodus 18:1-20:23(26)

Torah portion Yitro is all about understanding the significant moments in the lives of the Israelites after they left Egypt. This part of the scripture offers a historical and religious context that is both rich and deep. It’s about God’s covenant with the Israelites and how they received the Ten Commandments.

One of the fascinating things about Yitro is the way it captures key events. This includes Moses’s interaction with his father-in-law, Jethro (Hebrew: Yitro), who not only gives Moses advice but also acknowledges the power of the God of Israel. It’s a moment worth noting because it shows a blend of wisdom and humility.

Jethro’s interactions with Moses provide insight into effective leadership. He suggests a system to handle disputes among people, reducing the burden on Moses. This leads to an example of delegating authority, which is a foundational principle in leadership today.

The commandments given in this portion, especially the famous Ten Commandments, have shaped laws and ethics across the world. Understanding these commandments helps in grasping their fundamental role in the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Hebrews and later Jewish peoples.

The broader narrative of Yitro within the Torah is not just about rules, but how the Hebrews formed a community around the divine laws they were given. It’s a strategic turning point where faith and practice start getting intertwined more deeply.

Messianic Insights: Finding Messiah Yeshua in Yitro

Yitro is a lens through which believers can seek the presence of Messiah Yeshua. For those exploring this dimension, there’s an enriching interplay between Jewish traditions and Messianic beliefs.

Many find that Yitro holds many messianic shadows and symbols. The interactions between Moses and Jethro can resonate with Yeshua’s teachings. Jethro’s acknowledgment of God mirrors the broader recognition of Yeshua’s role in salvation theology. Jethro, in some interpretations, represents a foreshadowing figure of the Messiah. His advice and openness to the God of Israel create a narrative that echoes the welcoming spirit Yeshua embodied.

Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, because the words you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them. They have really come to know that I came from you, and they have come to trust that you sent me.
(John 17:7-8 CJB)

Moses serves as a mediator between the people of Israel and God. The people are afraid to approach God directly, so Moses goes up to the mountain to receive the commandments and to represent the people before God. Moses’ role as a mediator is seen as a foreshadowing of Yeshua, the ultimate mediator between God and humanity .

The powerful display of God’s presence at Sinai can be seen as a foreshadowing of Yeshua, who, in the New Testament, is described as “Emmanuel” meaning “God with us.” Just as God’s presence on Mount Sinai was transformative to the Hebrews, Yeshua, as God’s presence on earth, brings a new and personal way for people to experience God’s love and power.

As they watched, he began to change form — his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became as white as light. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them; and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
(Matthew 17:2,5 CJB)

In Yitro, God expresses His desire for Israel to be His “treasured possession” and a kingdom of priests. Yeshua embodies this desire by offering an intimate relationship with God to all people. Through Yeshua, God’s presence can dwell within believers through the Holy Spirit.

But you are a chosen people, the King’s cohanim, a holy nation, a people for God to possess! Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
(1 Peter 2:9 CJB)

Yitro’s narrative opens up discussions about leadership, responsibility, and divine revelation, offering opportunities to link these themes to Yeshua’s mission. As believers, engaging with this text enriches understanding and deepens faith, bridging the old with the new.

Living the Message: Life Applications for Followers of Yeshua

Yitro offers a wealth of insights that contemporary followers of Yeshua can apply in daily life. One of the primary lessons revolves around managing life’s challenges by drawing guidance from divine wisdom, reflected in the commandments and principles shared in the Torah portion.

The journey of the Israelites mirrors our own spiritual journeys, filled with milestones that shape us. Just as the Israelites navigated their paths, we too are called to walk with faith, drawing strength and direction from the teachings of Yeshua. Yitro helps us see these parallels clearly.

Jethro’s advice on leadership and community building is still relevant. Followers of Yeshua are encouraged to adopt these principles in their communities, ensuring that leadership involves wisdom, delegation, and compassion, in line with Yeshua’s examples.

Integrating Sinai’s commandments into today’s lifestyle involves finding a balance between modern obligations and these essential spiritual commitments. For believers, this means finding practical ways to infuse daily actions with the timeless commandments, ensuring they’re not merely historical artifacts but living parts of our spiritual life.

Living the messages found in Yitro also prompts a life of obedience and grace, as witnessed through Yeshua’s teachings. Encouraging each other to follow these with integrity and joy becomes a transformational journey, reinforcing our commitments to spiritual growth and community well-being.

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Dale Solberg is a guest writer at Messianic Torah Portion offering a commentary and devotional thoughts from a Messianic Perspective on each week’s Torah reading. His views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of The Messianic Light. You can reach Dale at dale@messianictorahportion.com.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, Copyright © 1998 and 2016 by David H. Stern. Used by permission. All copyrights reserved worldwide.

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