Rashi explains Yisro’s statement in the following manner, “I knew Him in the past, but now I know him even more intensively.” Affirming one’s recognition of the Almighty is no small statement. Nonetheless, what was so unique about Yisro that an entire parsha in the Torah is dedicated to his name? He became Moshe’s confidante and chief advisor. Consequently, the entire Klal Yisrael and its leadership accorded him the greatest honor.
It seems peculiar that all this esteem was directed towards Yisro solely because he recognized Hashem’s eminence. Horav Chaim M. Katz z.t.l. explains, that Yisro distinguished himself by joining with this amazing people immediately upon hearing of Hashem’s miraculous wonders on behalf of Klal Yisrael. Undoubtedly, other people heard about these miracles as well. Indeed, the entire Egyptian nation witnessed Hashem’s might. Only Yisro, however, intellectually integrated this awareness into his very essence, so that it transformed him into an entirely new person. Horav Katz infers that the distinction between a simple person and a great man is not a function of the individual’s level of erudition or profundity. Rather, it is commensurate with the degree this storehouse of knowledge is assimilated into his character. To what avail is intelligence if it is not applied, knowledge if one remains a boor? Yisro heard about Hashem’s supremacy and immediately recognized his own mandate to change. This is the hallmark of a great man.
