Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law suggests a system for establishing lower courts to settle disputes; Elohim speaks the Ten Commandments to the Children of Israel amidst fire, smoke, and the sound of the shofar.
Exodus 18:1 When heard of Jethro, the priest of Midian, father in law of Moses, את all that Elohim had done for Moses and for Israel his people and that had brought יהוה את־ Israel out of Egypt.C-MATS
Question: What news did Jethro hear that made such an impression that he came to see Moses? Jethro heard about the splitting of the Red Sea and the war with Amalek. Chumash
Question: Who was Jethro? He was minister of Midian and former adviser to Pharaoh. He helped Moses organize the nation’s judicial system. His name Reuel was changed to Jether-means addition, because he added to the laws. When he converted to serve יהוה, the letter vav was added to his name, which changed his name from Jether to Jethro. Chumash
Question: What was the difference between Jethro and Amalek? Both of them heard about the Exodus, but Jethro reacted by casting his lot with the nation of יהוה, while Amalek became the symbol of treachery and evil by defying יהוה and launching an unprovoked sneak attack on a weak and weary people. Miracles alone do not transform the beliefs of the Amaleks of the world. Those who refuse to recognize the hand of יהוה will always interpret events to suit their own purposes. Chumash
Exodus 18:2 After Moses had sent her back, then took Jethro, father-in-law of Moses, את־ Zipporah, Moses אשֶׁת wife. C-MATS
Question: Why was Zipporah sent back to her father’s house? When יהוה said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt” (Exodus 4:19), “And took Moses את־ אִשְׁתֹּו his wife וְאת־ and his sons and set them upon a donkey and he returned to the land of Egypt.” When Aaron later met with him “at the Mount of Elohim” (Exodus 4:27), he said to him: “Who are these?” Said Moses, “This is my wife whom I married in Midian and these are my children” “Where are you taking them?” asked Aaron. “To Egypt,” said Moses. Aaron said to Moses, “We are grieving over the ones already in Egypt, so why should you add to their number!” So Moses said to Zipporah, “Return to your father’s house”, and she took her two sons and went away. Chumash