Quotation_auto sobre Números 10:30

Because Moshe saw the many favours that Chovav did with his advice and that he came to be ensconced under the divine presence, it wasn't fitting that the Jewish people should deny all his goodness after they were about to travel (into the promised land). Therefore Moshe calls him Chovav (dear one) because on a personal level he was dear to him, and also because of his father Reuel. How much so because he was the son in law of Moshe who was a king. Jethro doesn't accept Moshe's invitation and said that he would return to his land. He saw three reasons in Moshe's entreaty from which he intuited not to go. The first is that Moshe said " we are traveling to the place that G-d has given to us". He hinted that the land was given specifically to the Jewish people, and that converts have no part in the land of Israel. Jethro's reply was that he already has his own homeland- I have a good land like your own. The second reason was that he was told that the Jews would "be good to you" - a little bit of good, like a guest, and not like someone who is the father in law of the king. He, therefore replied that he would return to his homeland where he had many people who would do good for him. The third reason was that G-d did good things for the Jews - which would imply only for the Jews and not for anyone else. To this Jethro replied that he could go back to his own land and birthplace, because he has much good there. It is also hinted to in the verses that he didn't want to go to Israel because they would do him favours there, but rather to connect to G-d because of his love for Him, not because of any reward he would receive. It is for this reason that he said that he didn't need their favours, because in his own land there were many favours. Moshe's entreats him not to leave - he understands Jethro's intent. He tells him that now is not the time to leave, as people will say that he left because he didn't have a portion in the land of Israel, and where you came from is where you are caught.