Exodus 18:5
And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
Jethro's visit took place at Israel's wilderness encampment at the mount of God, where Moses was encamped. He came after hearing of the wonderful deliverance of Israel from Egypt. He brought with him Moses' wife and two sons to rejoin Moses in the wilderness. Moses had previously sent his wife and children back to his father-in-law in Midian, while on the way to Egypt and facing the dangers of leading Israel out, before he left Egypt.
The separation had happened because his wife was timid, retiring, gentle and affectionate and greatly distressed by suffering, and Moses desired to spare her from witnessing the judgments on the Egyptians. Though called a Cushite woman, she was a Midianite, thus a descendant of Abraham and a worshiper of the true God, differing from the Hebrews in being of somewhat darker complexion. Moses joyfully welcomed his family and told Jethro how God had dealt with Israel. Jethro rejoiced, blessed the Lord, and joined Moses and the elders in sacrifice and a solemn feast celebrating God's mercy.
In coming, Jethro stood as a witness from the Gentile world, appointed to reveal the principles of heaven. When his wife rejoined Moses she saw his burdens wearing away his strength and made her fears known to Jethro, which led to Jethro suggesting measures for his relief. Moses' marriage to a woman of another nation instead of a Hebrew wife displeased Miriam as an offense to family and national pride, so his wife was treated with ill-disguised contempt. Miriam, smarting under supposed neglect of herself and Aaron, regarded her as the cause and concluded her influence had kept Moses from taking Miriam and Aaron into his counsels as formerly.