In Exodus chapter eighteen, verse eleven, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, replies to him by saying, “Now I know.” The response is in light of Moses telling his father-in-law what the Lord has done since they left Egypt. Jethro, the priest of Midian, a relative of Moses, came to visit him in the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God. Moses testified to the experiences of what the Lord did against Pharoah and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake. Moses explains all the struggles of leaving Egypt along the way and how the Lord delivered them.
Jethro heard about all God did for Moses and the people of Israel, which may have prompted him to visit his son-in-law. When Moses’ father-in-law came to see Moses and confirm what he found out through other people, he rejoiced. Then Jethro declares, “Now I know,” and continues to express the greatness of God over the rest. Jethro makes this statement because he did not hear before an experience where God delivered His people from a King who seemed like a god himself. For Jethro to come from his country to visit Moses to confirm matters indicates that he did not know Moses’ God but the ones he knows.
Moses and the Israelites needed to know who God was and to understand His great power. These manifestations of God’s power and deliverance became a witness to Jethro so he could say, “Now I know,” and could join worshipping the Lord. These things are evidence so we may come to know and worship the one true God. For many, hearing great miracles or deliverances is a great testimony and hard to disregard. However, some people will remain skeptical or be sarcastic and not admit that there is a living God in our midst. For example, Pharoah, the King of Egypt, was not convinced that Moses’ God was better than his deity.
Today, many believers share their amazing testimonies of what God has done that would cause some members of family, friends, or colleagues to either be silent or skeptical. No matter what they want to feel or say about it, neither they nor anyone can deny a change in the lives of the people they know. Eventually, they will succumb to admitting the “Now I Know” statement.