Jan 23, 2010 Exodus 18-21:21

So Jethro, Zipporah's father comes to visit Moses. He's heard about what's happened and wants to hear it directly from his son-in-law. So of course Moses tells him about everything. Jethro, a man of God was delighted to hear about all the good works of God. While he was there, he witnessed Moses sitting as the sole judge to settle disputes among the children of Israel. It was an enormous job. Too big for just one man. So Jethro offered Moses some helpful advice. He said that there should be worthy men appointed as leaders of every 10 people. Then those 10 are grouped into 5 groups of 10 or 50 people. Two groups of 50 would make a single group of 100 and then 10 groups of 100 people would make a group of 1000. Each leader was to settle disputes himself. If he couldn't do it then it went to the next highest judge and so on. This way Moses only heard the situations that were really difficult. Moses was their last resort. After that, Jethro went home.

The Isrealites came to Sinai where Moses went up on the mountain to hear what God wanted to tell him. God tells him to tell the Israelites that He "carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself". I like the image of eagles' wings. God had Moses go to the elders and have the people consecrated to get ready for recieving His word. The people all responded together that they would do what God had asked of them. God warned the people not to set foot upon the mountain or they would die. Only after they hear a ram's horn blast is it safe to go up the mountain. Moses consecrated the people, they washed their clothes, and Moses told them to prepare themselves and abstain from sexual relations.

In the morning of the third day the mountain shook and there was thunder and lightning and all the people trembled. God came down to the mountain and Moses went up and the people stood at the foot of the mountain. Then God sent Moses back to bring Aaron up.

Exodus Chapter 20 is where you can find The Ten Commandments listed. Some versions offer further explanations.
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol to bow down and worship them.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

God tells Moses to make an altar of earth for him and sacrice burnt offerings and peace offerings on it. I find this interesting that God wants earth, not fancy carved stones or gold or silver, but earth.

Chapter 21 describes the rules regarding Hebrew slaves and how they are to be treated. A Hebrew slave who marries can leave after 6 years with his wife. But if he has children the wife and children remain with the master and the slave is free to choose to stay with his family also. Then the master must take the slave before the judges and pierce his ear with an awl and he will be a servant for life.

Females could be sold by their fathers into slavery, but if she was to go free the master must let her be redeemed. She is not to be sold to foreigners. If he selects her for his son then she becomes his daughter.

Verses 12-21 list various punishments for crimes resulting in injury or death. Of note is the rule that a master could beat his servant with a rod as long as the servant didn't die. Ouch.

Tomorrow read Exodus 21:22-25:9