Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

May 1st, 2008

 

"His Father's God"

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have become an alien in a foreign land"; and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, "My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh." (Exodus 18:1-4 NIV).

May begins the seasons of emphasis in the family. Mother’s Day is in May and, of course, Father’s Day in June. This year I will be preaching on Mother's Day. My emphasis will be on the family that day as has been my habit through the years. AS I was preparing today’s devotional, I began to think about the topic of family. It reminded me of this wonderful passage I have selected for our reading today.

Eliezer is one of the sons of Moses. Moses, of course, you know very well. Of all the Old Testament saints, perhaps none is better known than Moses. It was comforting to know that Eliezer saw God in his father. There are some who might say that he should have said "My God" instead of "My father's God". However, it occurs to me that this says much more about Moses than at first glance.

Imagine seeing such a deep devotion to God and admiring your father so much, that you refer to YOUR God, as HIS God. Perhaps Eliezer couldn't get over the fact that his father had led the people out of Egypt. Maybe the testimony of the forty years Moses spent preparing for ministry inspired Eliezer. Maybe Eliezer's goal in life was to one day, through prayer and determination, become as devoted to God as was his father Moses. Maybe Eliezer's goal was to learn to fully worship and know his "father's God"!

Whatever the case, it does challenge me to make sure that my children see MY God in me! Doesn't it you?