Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your
family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be
betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer
death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jethro is my favorite father-in-law in the Old Testament and is an example for all father-in-laws. If you want to be a good in-law be sure to follow the pattern of Jethro as outline below.

1. Warn them before you show up. (v6 “I…am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.)
2. Be positive when you show up. (v9 “Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel”)
3. Go to church with them. (v12 “Then Jethro…took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God”)
4. If you must offer advice make it brief and recognize that it is their decision not yours. (v23 “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure”)
5. Go home; always be sure to understay your welcome. (v27 “Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land”)

If you follow this example you are far more likely to have a positive relationship with your child and your son/daughter-in-law.

Staurow (to crucify) refers to placing a person on a pole of execution.  To subscribe to this podcast please go to iTunes and subscribe to “The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast”.