EXODUS CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ----------------------- Pink says that chapter 18 is a parenthesis, interrupting the chronological order of the book. in chapter 17 Israel is seen at Rephidim; in chapter 19 they are viewed coming to Sinai. Compare: Ex 18:5 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: { We see that Israel is already encamped at the mount of God } READ Ex 19:1-2 { Here they come to Sinai and encamp there } READ Numbers 10:11-12 and 29-30 and Compare with Ex 18:27 { Here we see that the left Sinai in the 2nd month of the 2nd year, whereas they reached Sinai in the 3rd month of the fist year in chapter 19. We see from Numbers chapter 10 that Moses' father-in-law came while they were already there and about to leave. Moses' father-in-law left them in chapter 18 which was 11 months after chapter 19 begins. So chapter 18 must be, without a doubt, a parenthesis chapter. Notice also verses 15-16 of chapter 18 which suggest that Moses had already received the law of God. } Verses 1-6, Though chapter 18 is out of order in the chronological sense, it is not out of order in the typical sense. We saw that the manna in chapter 16 spoke of the "true bread" which came down from heaven, which was the incarnate son, Jesus Christ the Lord. In chapter 17 we see that the rock was smitten, which points to our saviour who was smitten by our Sovereign God who used evil men to perform it. After the rock was smitten water flowed which pointed to the Holy Spirit which is given to every believer that believes on the smitten rock. After that the second half of chapter 17 we see Israel's battle with Amalek, and remember before this time Israel was never called on to do battle. So this speaks of the "born again" believers' battle that now begins with the flesh and will continue till he dies or Christ comes back. So what follows Christ's return? We have it here in type. Zipporah is restored to Moses. Remember, Zipporah is Moses wife, not his espoused bride, to be married to later. He is already married to Zipporah and has been separated from her for some time (before Moses went down to Egypt to lead Israel out). 1st, This means that Zipporah cannot point to the Church which is the espoused bride of Christ (see 2Co 11:2), which when married to will never be separated from her husband, but Zipporah points to the WIFE of JEHOVAH, Israel. (See Isa 54:1- 10; Jer 31:31-32). Israel is the one who is separated from her husband and living in sin. (See Hosea 2:2) Hos 2:2 Plead with your mother, plead: for she [is] not my wife, neither [am] I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; 2nd, The cause and occasion for the separation of Moses and Zipporah. READ Ex 4:24-26. We do not see Zipporah again till Moses' father-in-law brings her back to him. The reason was because Moses' son was not circumcised, which is apparent that Ziporrah was the one who was at fault. This disobedience by Zipporah show Israel's failure under the law. The separation of Zipporah from her husband was because he was "a bloody husband" or literally, "a husband of bloods." Notice it was Zipporah who performed the bloody circumcision but rejected it as an offence. She was offended over the bloody matter. It was blood-shedding which was a "stumbling-block" to her. So too Israel crucified the Lord Jesus Christ on that bloody cross and rejected the whole idea of the cross. It is an offence and a stumbling-block to Israel. 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; Ro 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 3rd, Zipporah had bore Moses TWO sons before they were separated. Israel was one nation at Sinai, but later in her history she was divided into TWO nations, the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah. 4th, The names of the two sons. Gershom means "a stranger there" and Moses gave him that name because he had been a "stranger in a strange land" (Ex 2:22). The second son was Eliezer which means "God is my helper." Though Israel has been scattered throughout the world and have been strangers in a strange land, yet they have been marvellously and providentially helped by their God. He has preserved them down through the centuries, preventing them from being annihilated or assimilated by the Gentiles. Eliezer was not referred to till this chapter where the Millennium is in view by type and shadow. So the restoration of Ziporrah to Moses is a picture and type of the restoration of Israel to her God during the Millennium which will begin at the coming of Christ (not the rapture). 5th, The time of the restoration. it was "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..." (Ex 18:1-2) Moses' had become Israel's leader and law-giver and it was heard all over. It had been manifested to the surrounding nations. So too, Israel will be restored when their rejected Messiah is manifested on earth the He is their King and Lord. That will be manifested to the world at His coming. 6th, The place. They were encamped at the mount of God. According to Pink, the mount always speaks of the kingdom of governmental authority. God gave his law to a nation at the mount. Christ was transfigured on a mount, which showed His future kingdom glory. It will be a mount to which He returns (Zech 14:4) tells us, namely the Mount of Olives. Israel will be restored at the time that the governmental glory of God will be displayed in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ when He will rule the earth with a "rod of iron" (Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:15). Compare also Daniel 2:31-45. 7th, Moses' father-in-law was a Gentile. Pink thinks that Isa 18 is speaking of a time when a Gentile power will make it possible for the dispersed Hebrews to go back to the land of their fathers. He thinks that it may be Great Britain, which I believe had much to do with Israel being established as a nation again in their own land. Also, we see Jethro rejoicing for all the good that God had done for Israel. The hatred and jealously of the Gentiles toward the Jews will be removed during the Millennium. Then Jethro in verse 12 worshiped and ate bread with Moses and Aaron before God. Compare: Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 8th, The rest of Chapter 18 is more practical but it also points to the governmental character of the Millennium, when God's servants will be made to rule with Him. Compare: Re 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Mt 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Lu 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Lu 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 9th, Jethro's departure from Moses, in wanting to be in his own land instead of with the people of God, may point to the tragedy at the end of the Millennium. Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.