Exodus 18:12

“And Jethro, Moses’s father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, etc.] The burnt offering, which was either of the flock or of the herd, was wholly consumed by fire, from whence it had its name; the peace offering for thanksgiving, which seemed to be meant by the sacrifices here, the flesh of them were to be eaten, (<030715>Leviticus 7:15) and now a feast was kept, as the latter part of the verse shows: whether Jethro brought cattle along with him for such a purpose, and so “gave” f570 or “offered” them for a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; as the word for took may be rendered, one and the same word signifying both to give and take, (see <196818>Psalm 68:18), compared…”

“Jethro . . . took a burnt offering--This friendly interview was terminated by a solemn religious service--the burnt offerings were consumed on the altar, and the sacrifices were peace offerings, used in a feast of joy and gratitude at which Jethro, as priest of the true God, seems to have presided, and to which the chiefs of Israel were invited. This incident is in beautiful keeping with the character of the parties, and is well worthy of the imitation of Christian friends when they meet in the present day.”

“A burnt offering and sacrifices - This verse clearly shows that Jethro was recognized as a priest of the true God, and is of great importance in its bearings upon the relation between the Israelites and their congeners, and upon the state of religion among the descendants of Abraham. return to 'Top of Page'”

“And Jethro took a burnt offering for God - And probably offered it himself, for he was a priest in Midian, and a worshipper of the true God, and the priesthood was not yet settled in Israel. And they did eat bread before God - Soberly, thankfully, in the fear of God; and their talk such as became saints. Thus we must eat and drink to the glory of God; as those that believe God's eye is upon us. Exodus 18:13”

“took: Exo 24:5; Gen 4:4, Gen 8:20, Gen 12:7, Gen 26:25, Gen 31:54; Job 1:5, Job 42:8 Aaron: Exo 24:11; Lev 7:11-17; Deu 12:7, Deu 27:7; Ch1 29:21, Ch1 29:22; Ch2 30:22; Co1 10:18, Co1 10:21, Co1 10:31 eat bread: Exo 2:20; Gen 43:25; Sa2 9:7; Job 42:11; Dan 10:3; Luk 14:1, Luk 14:15 Exodus 18:13”

“The sacrifices, which Jethro offered to God, were applied to a sacrificial meal, in which Moses joined, as well as Aaron and all the elders. Eating bread before God signified the holding of a sacrificial meal, which was eating before God, because it was celebrated in a holy place of sacrifice, where God was supposed to be present. Exodus 18:13”