Jethro, the non-Israelite, met Moses and the Israelites in peace. The first half of Exodus 18 describes the circumstances of Moses’ reunion with his father-in-law Jethro, his wife Zipporah, and his sons. The conversation and action, however, focus on Jethro. Moses’ witness to the Lord’s deliverance is followed by a description of Jethro’s belief and celebration meal with the elders of Israel. The second half of Exodus 18 describes Jethro’s detailed advice to Moses concerning his legal administration. Brueggemann aptly notes that the combination of these two parts is more than incidental (Brueggemann, “Exodus,” p. 829). The Lord’s intention to bring blessing to the cultures of the world would require freedom and justice that provided for what the poorest people needed, not simply what they …