When Moses first heard God's command, he had reservations. It took a minute, but God convinced Moses to go back to Egypt. Now, he just had to get permission from his father-in-law, Jethro, to leave the clan.
As Exodus 10 tells the story, Moses doesn't explain or share any details about his experience on holy ground. Even his request to leave sounds more personal than what God commanded. I assume that Jethro could have refused Moses' request. He could have leaned on his need for someone like Moses to keep watching his flocks.
But Jethro offers Moses a blessing.
And this blessing sets in motion the great exodus story of God's people. A 3-word blessing that afforded Moses the chance to fulfill God's purpose for the Israelites: Go in peace.
Of course, we focus on Moses as the one called, the one sent, the one who stands before Pharaoh demanding, "Let my people go." But let's not forget Jethro. He is the one who releases, the one who blesses, and the one who becomes part of what God is doing simply by saying yes. Without fully understanding or knowing all the details, Jethro participates in God’s plan.
And that is a great power of blessing. Maybe even a blessing of our blessing. When we speak peace, when we give our encouragement, when we release someone instead of holding on too tightly, we may be doing more than being kind. We may be stepping into God’s work in their life. Our words can become the doorway through which someone else walks into obedience.
Preachers hope their weekly sermons have words that carry that kind of impact. But even if you never preach a sermon, you have the blessing of being a blessing.
So, who in your life is standing on the edge of something God-sized? What if your voice, your faithful blessing, is part of how God gets them there?
Stay blessed...john
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