With sacrifices and a feast was the arrival of Jethro celebrated, for
after he had made the burnt offering not far from the bush of
thorns that had been unscathed by fire, Jethro prepared a feast of
rejoicing for the whole people, [157] at which Moses did not
consider it below the dignity to wait on the guests in person. In this
he followed the example of Abraham, who in person waited on the
three angels, though they appeared in the guise of idolatrous
Arabs.

Abraham like Moses sought to follow in the ways of the Lord, to
provide each according to his wants, and to grant to everybody
what he lacks, whether he be a righteous man, or an idolater, who
through his sins conjures up God's wrath. [158]

To this feast the people sat down according to their tribes. They
ate, drank and were merry, while Aaron and Jethro with their
relatives sang songs of thanksgiving to God, and praised Him as
the Creator and Donor of their lives and their liberty. At the same
time they gave due appreciation to Moses, through whose courage
everything had happily come to pass. In his words of gratitude to
Moses, Jethro also gave expression to many glorious eulogies on
the people of Israel, but he especially extolled Moses, who through
difficulties and dangers had shown so much courage in the
salvation of his friends. [159]

THE INSTALLATION OF ELDERS

Jethro, who had come to Moses shortly before the revelation on
Mount Sinai, stayed with his son-in-law for more than a year. In
the first months, however, he had no opportunity of observing