Reconciliation and Progress in the Family
Text: Exodus 18:1-7
“When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent” (Exodus 18:1-7).
This passage gives us a great opening to things we need in our lives from the Old Testament to the New Covenant. In our families, spiritually, and in society at large, we need reconciliation and progress. Everything begins with reconciliation (Pastor (Dr) W.F. Kumuyi).
The children of Israel were brought out of Egypt through the blood of the lamb, and that was the beginning of reconciliation. Without reconciliation with the Almighty, everything else will mean nothing in eternity.
The question is: Have you been reconciled with the Lord your God?
Reconciliation comes when you repent of your sins, come to the Lamb of God for forgiveness, and are saved and made righteous. Only then can you begin to make progress towards Paradise in heaven.
Likewise, in the family we need reconciliation. Some leave fathers and mothers but fail to cleave properly to their spouse. Some live distracted and absent-minded, giving loyalty elsewhere instead of to their spouse. Pastors and members also need reconciliation — forgiving one another and not holding offences.
As Pastor Kumuyi puts it: “Everything of progress depends on reconciliation.”
Moses’ reconciliation with his wife and sons, brought by Jethro, paved the way for progress. Jethro also gave wise counsel on delegation and rest. Yet, while Jethro was a good counsellor, our Counsellor is greater—Jesus Christ.
Our true Counsellor, Jesus, is:
J – Justifying Judge
E – Emancipating Emmanuel
T – Transforming Teacher and the Truth
H – Helper and Healer
R – Reconciling Redeemer
O – Only Overcomer
Jesus is greater than Jethro, both then and now. He gives us grace upon grace and leads us every step of the journey.
1. The Peaceful Reconciliation with Moses’ Spouse and His Family
Exodus 18:1-2, 5-6
(i) The Foundation of Reconciliation in the Family
Exodus 18:1-2; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 7:2-3
God’s plan is that husband and wife should not separate. “Apart as husband and wife, we are not in the Will of God, but together, we are in the Will of God” (Pastor Kumuyi).
God hates divorce and remarriage while the other spouse is alive (Malachi 2:14-16). From the beginning, God designed marriage as one man and one woman, joined as one flesh (Matthew 19:4-6). This is the foundation of reconciliation in the family.
(ii) Transformational Forgiveness and Reunion in Faithfulness
Colossians 3:13, 18-19; Matthew 18:21-22; Ephesians 4:31-32; 1 Peter 3:7-9
Marriage brings together two different backgrounds. Moses valued circumcision deeply, while Zipporah considered it bloody and unnecessary. Such differences can cause separation. But reconciliation requires forgiveness—seventy times seven if needed (Matthew 18:21-22).
True forgiveness transforms, bringing reunion and peace despite differences.
(iii) Transparent Fellowship with Reciprocity without Falsehood
John 13:34-35; Matthew 7:12; 1 John 4:18-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:6-7
Marriage requires transparent fellowship based on love and reciprocity (Matthew 7:12). Honest communication—sharing plans, work happenings, interactions—is essential. This builds trust and fellowship in the family.
Jethro and Moses demonstrated this openness. Families today must nurture such fellowship through time, love, and training of children.
2. The Patient Restoration of Moses’ Sons to the Faith
Exodus 18:2-5
It is one thing to reunite the family, but another to ensure the children are in the faith.
(i) Returning, Circumcised, to the Faith of their Father
Exodus 18:2,5; 4:24-25; 1 Corinthians 7:18a; Jeremiah 24:7
Moses’ sons were circumcised, thus included in God’s covenant. Before anyone can belong to God’s people, there must be circumcision of the heart.
(ii) Restored, Circumcised, to the Faith with Fruit
Exodus 18:2,5; Genesis 17:13-14; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28-29
Physical circumcision pointed to heart circumcision. God must circumcise our hearts so that we may love Him fully. Repentance is our part, while transformation is God’s.
(iii) Reckoned, Circumcised, among the Faithful, Fully
1 Chronicles 23:14-17; Nehemiah 7:5,64-65; Colossians 2:11-15; Revelation 20:15
Moses’ sons were integrated into Israel and reckoned among the Levites. For us, circumcision is of the heart by Christ (Colossians 2:11). Our names must remain in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15).
3. The Prioritized Retraining of Malleable Sons for Fruitfulness
1 Chronicles 23:14-17, 24, 28, 30-32
It is not enough to return home; children must be retrained to serve God faithfully.
(i) The Ungodly Reproach of God’s Servant for His Family
Numbers 12:1-15; Ezekiel 13:22; Isaiah 51:7; Hebrews 13:13-14
Moses was reproached because of his wife, but he remained meek and prayerful. God defended him.
(ii) The Unhindered Retraining of Godly Sons in the Faith
1 Chronicles 23:14-17, 24, 28; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:14-15; Acts 18:26
Moses’ sons were retrained for service in God’s house. Likewise, children must be given love, belonging, and godly training to serve faithfully.
(iii) The Untiring Refining of Growing Saints for the Foremost
1 Chronicles 26:24-26, 28b; Malachi 3:3; Psalm 144:12,15; 2 Timothy 2:19,21
God refines His children through trials, molding them into vessels of honor. True progress comes as families and children are refined for godly service.
The story of Moses, Jethro, Zipporah, and the children teaches us that reconciliation must come before progress. Families must be reconciled in love, forgiveness, and fellowship. Children must be restored to the faith and retrained for fruitful service.
Above all, we must look to Jesus—our greater Counsellor than Jethro. He justifies, redeems, heals, and refines us, leading us safely to heaven.
Reconciliation today will bring progress tomorrow.
