Jethro is identified as the Priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16). He is also called Reuel (Hebrew meaning “friend of God”), and Hobab (meaning beloved). Jethro was a descendant of Abraham through his wife Keurah, who Abraham married after Sarah’s death (Genesis 25:1-2). Jethro and his family clan were nomadic shepherds that sometimes lived in the shadow of Mount Sinai.
Moses married Jethro’s eldest daughter, Zipporah (Hebrew meaning “little bird” and “freedom”), with whom he loved and stayed with his entire life. While living with Jethro near Mount Sinai, Moses was commanded by an angel to ascend the mountain and commune with God (Exodus 3:1-3). Here he received the command to return to Egypt and free the Israelites. Once freed, Moses leads them to the foot of Mount Sinai and to Jethro’s camp.
Jethro is famous for giving wise counsel in correct leadership techniques:
“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.” Exodus 18:13-24.
The Midian clan (later known as the Kenites) led by Jethro worshiped the God of Abraham, just like the Israelites. And so they joined with the 12 tribes in their 40 year wanderings and entered the Promised Land with Joshua. As loyal and equal subjects to the Israelites they were rewarded by being given the city of Arad on the south-east corner of Judah. Eventually they became identified as Judah tribe members by the time of the Babylonian conquest.
According to the Druze religion, Jethro’s body was carried into the promised land by his descendants and entombed here in Galilee (near present day Tiberias). The Druze people I have known have all been wonderful, kind, and friendly. However, much of their religion is unknown to non-Druze outsiders. They are not a numerous people, inhabiting areas of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. Whichever country they live in they are loyal citizens to that country. The Druze of Israel sided with the Jews during the 1948 War of Independence. Many of the men serve in the military and are accepted in the country.
The Tomb of Jethro is administered by the Druze who consider Jethro to be one of their primary prophets. The Druze flag consists of five colors, each representing a prophet. If Jethro’s body was carried out of the desert by his clan, it is more likely he would have been interred in their city of Arad. But there is no known tomb there and it is more likely Jethro died and was buried during the 40 year wandering.
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