Advice from a Father in Law: no kings
This week’s Biblical reading is called “Yitro” it is named after Moses father-in-law Jethro, who we meet for the second time in chapter 18 of Exodus. The first time is in the Wilderness. This great song in the Prince of Egypt gives Yitro a voice (the stunning voice of Brian Stokes Mitchell!) This part of the Torah is famous for the 10 Commandments and revelation at Sinai in Exodus 20. Even though Jethro is heard two chapters prior, the medieval commentator Rashi convincingly argues that his encounter with Moses comes after revelation at Sinai. (Number 5 on the source page) Jethro has heard about the redemption at the Sea And revelation at the mountain top and seeks out his son-in-law with Moses’s wife and two sons in tow. He then gives up any status that he had a Midianite priest and reunites this broken family, as he joins the Israelite faith.
The advice that Jethro gives Moses is excellent. Jethro says that people are standing in long lines to see Moses and ask him questions. He tells his son-in-law Moses to delegate, and to appoint leaders over the thousands, the hundreds and the tens of people. This is supposedly so that Moses doesn’t get tired out. But I suggest that it is a redistribution of purpose, authority and power down to the level of families rather than a concentration of purpose, authority, and power in one man. The Israelites were so frightened after receiving the 10 Commandments, that they told Moses to go up for them, or they would die. Thus, they removed their own honor, authority, purpose In fear. My first Jewish teacher as an adult was Rabbi Henry Weiner of Blessed memory. He explained that every person who was present at Sinai and all of us from future generations, each have a place on the slope of the mountain. Each has a place that is unique and contributes to the whole In a way that no one else can. As Jethro restores Moses’ family, So he restores our place. Israelite people are standing in lines all day long waiting to talk to the great Moses, as if to the Wizard of Oz or some billionaire politician. They are not being honored physically, emotionally or intellectually. The Bible subversively warns against setting kings over themselves (Deuteromy 17:15-20) and if they insist God will choose for them, but “he must not keep many horses or send people back to Egypt and not have many wives. He should not let his heart go, astray or amass silver, and gold to excess… So that he may not raise his heart over his brothers” Even the great Moses was not meant to be king. Perhaps it is why his brother Aaron was chosen rather than he to be the spiritual leader, and he was not permitted into the Promised land. Jethro returns, whether of his own volition or fate, or the hand of God, to bring Moshe down to earth where God’s kavod dwells, after Sinai. Returning the feminine in the guise of Moses’ wife and the feminine aspect of God in the Earth herself.
(*God’s kavod is the honor, or glory, indwelling immanent feminine aspect in mystical teachings)
King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba in the palace. You shall not set a king above you. (from ‘Hutchinson’s History of the Nations’, early 1900s ) Painting by Edward John Poynter
Miryam's Space 