Exodus 18: Its Literary Unity and Its Key Transitional Role in the Exodus Narrative

This work argues that Exod 18:1-27 functions literarily and theologically as the key transitional midpoint in the Exodus narrative. As such, the chapter's function is both retrospective (recalling key features of chapters 1-17) and prospective (anticipating key features of chapters 19-40) at the midpoint of the book. In the Exodus narrative, the character of Jethro is rhetorically employed by the narrator as a model to contrast with all the nations and as a model to contrast with all the faithless Israelites. Exodus 18 draws to a close a first narrative movement in the first half of the book in which Yahweh is seen and known through his mighty acts of deliverance. Through Moses, Yahweh delivers. Exodus 18 also signals a shift in the second half of the book to a self-revelation of Yahweh which will feature Israel's need to heed the word and will of Yahweh as mediated through Moses. Through Moses, Yahweh will govern.