SERIES C --- EXODUS FROM BONDAGE --- LESSON 16

HELP FOR MOSES

WISE WORDS FROM AN OLD MAN

From Exodus 18

The news of YHVH’s wonderful works through Moses soon reached Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, in Midian. Jethro, priest of Midian, learned how YHVH had worked miracles to bring Moses and his people from Egypt. One day Jethro left for Moses’ camp, along with Zipporah, Moses’ wife and Gershom and Eliezer, the two sons of Moses. Moses had sent his family back to live with Jethro when he was struggling to free the Israelites from Pharaoh. To Gershom, his eldest son, Moses had given a name which meant {Alien,} for Moses had said, [I am a foreigner in a strange land.] To his second son Eliezer, Moses had given a name which meant {YHVH’s Help,} for Moses had said, [The YHVH of my fathers has helped me, for He has delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword.] Jethro and Moses’ family arrived while the people of Israel were camped at Mount Sinai, the mountain of YHVH. Jethro sent a messenger to Moses to tell him that they had arrived. [Your wife and two sons have come with me to visit you,] Jethro said. Moses went out to meet Jethro and bowed low before him. Then Moses kissed Jethro and they greeted each other with warm words before going into Moses’ tent to talk further. Moses told Jethro about the exciting events since they had been together: how Adonai had overcome Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake; how the Israelites had handled their troubles in the wilderness; and how Adonai had saved them from these troubles. Jethro was pleased with the way Adonai had worked to save Israel from Egypt and the wilderness. [Blessed be Adonai because He has saved you from Pharaoh and his people,] Jethro said, [and because He has rescued Israel from many troubles. I am sure now that Adonai is greater than all other gods, for He saved Israel from the proud Egyptians.] Then Jethro offered burnt offerings to Adonai. Aaron and the elders of Israel later joined Jethro at the sacrificial meal before Adonai. The next morning Moses sat down as usual, to judge the people. All day long the people brought their disputes for Moses to settle. [What are you doing?] Jethro asked Moses when he saw what was happening. [Why do you do this task alone while people stand waiting all day?] [The people bring their problems to me and I have to tell them what would please YHVH,] Moses answered. [I have to teach them how YHVH’s rules will solve their problems.] [But you’re not really helping them as you should,] Jethro replied. [You’re making this too hard on yourself and your people. There is too much for you to do alone. Now listen to my advice and YHVH will help you. Represent the people to YHVH and YHVH to His people. Bring their problems to Him and His answers to them. Teach them His Laws and show them how to apply these Laws to their daily living. Find some men who honour YHVH, who are honest and fair with others and who will not accept bribes. Appoint these men as judges over the people. Put one judge over each ten men. Over them put another judge for every fifty people and over them another judge for each hundred and another for each thousand. Let them judge the everyday complaints of the people. Only the difficult cases will come to you. Thus, you will have someone to share your burden and you will make your work much easier for yourself. If you follow my advice and if you believe YHVH wants you to do so, you will be able to handle all the pressures of this work and the people will be happier as well.] Moses listened to Jethro’s advice and did exactly as Jethro had suggested. He chose capable men from among the people of Israel and appointed them as judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. These judges handled all the everyday complaints and brought the difficult ones to Moses. Then Moses said good-bye to Jethro and let him return home to Midian.

COMMENTARY

BEDOUIN COFFEE TIME

Moses was the leader. He would teach Israel YHVH’s ways and show them how to live as His people. But other men could help by serving as judges. The judges would listen to disputes and settle all but the hardest cases. For centuries the Bedouin, nomads who move their flocks and herds from place to place, have gathered for a coffee hour. This meeting reminds one of the meetings between Moses and Jethro and of the meetings in which Moses’ appointed officials heard disputes among the people. While the tribe is camped, men make their way to the opening of the leader’s tent, facing away from the sun. They are careful to enter the men’s side of the tent, for they would not be permitted in the women’s side. When the men are seated in order, with strangers and guests of honour closest and less important men toward the edge or even outside, the ritual is ready to begin. The host or his servant starts the fire in the dirt floor of the tent. Cold water is poured into a coffee pot and heated over the fire. Green coffee beans are roasted, then ground with mortar and pestle into a fine powder. Sometimes spices such as cloves or cinnamon are added to the boiling water and the coffee pot is struck repeatedly to give the coffee a froth or {face,} as they call it. Small bowl-like cups are wiped clean with a rag, kept for that purpose with the cups in a box. The most important guests are served first, as they hold their cups between thumb and forefinger. Each cup holds about four sips. But the cup is never filled, for that would suggest that the guest drink and leave. While the coffee is sipped, the men discuss news and gossip, business and pleasure. Leaders announce the next move at these meetings and lawsuits or complaints are heard. Although the most respected person speaks first, anyone, young or old will be heard. The most important coffee hours are called {mejlis,} which means {sitting.} A mejlis is held daily when important members of the tribe are present. The emir or chief leader, presides over the mejlis. Decisions are given immediately with swift justice following. Punishment usually involves fines of goats, sheep or camels and must be paid immediately. If it is not, the condemned person must leave the tribe.

Thought for Today: Friday December 30:

May Adonai remove every distraction today, that keeps you from the land He has for you. May you proceed in faith to possess it May you trust this process as He prepares you to dwell in that land so you can feed on His Faithfulness. Your current battles are training you not only to take the land, but to stand there, fight there, win there and be fruitful there! Adonai Eloheinu, our YHVH is with you. Be blessed!

We are praying over the topics to teach about in next August's Homeschool Family Conference. What would you like to learn?

Does his mercy endure forever?

As they went away, #jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Matthew 11:7-9

#yeshua asked these rhetorical questions in order to build up the audience's expecations of what he would say about John, but I think his high praise of John must have still been quite a surprise to them. "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist."

The contrast to what he said immediately afterward would have been even more startling: "Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Blessed is the one who is not offended by me. #yeshua
Matthew 11:6

Messiah doesn't conform to people's expectations. Blessed are those who are able to set aside their own desires and preconceptions and accept Messiah Yeshua for who he actually is.

I'm having a hard time uploading videos here

As many of us seek to decouple from the system. There are many things that need to be considered in living outside the system. I recently came across this story and it raises the question on what exactly are your reproductive rights according to the system, where is the line drawn? What are your rights to your offspring in the system? Without a support network, how does one handle this situation outside the system and also once tangled in it. www.thedailybeast.com/amy-and-....drew-hoenigke-had-ne