Study Desk

Moses' father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything that God had done for Moses and the people of Israel when he led them out of Egypt.

He had also said, "The God of my father helped me and saved me from being killed by the king of Egypt"; so he had named the other son Eliezer.)

Then Jethro brought an offering to be burned whole and other sacrifices to be offered to God; and Aaron and all the leaders of Israel went with him to eat the sacred meal as an act of worship.

Now let me give you some good advice, and God will be with you. It is right for you to represent the people before God and bring their disputes to him.

But in addition, you should choose some capable men and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They must be God-fearing men who can be trusted and who cannot be bribed.

If you do this, as God commands, you will not wear yourself out, and all these people can go home with their disputes settled."

and Moses went up the mountain to meet with God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and told him to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants:

Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

The sound of the trumpet became louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.

God spoke, and these were his words:

"I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves.

"Worship no god but me.

Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation.

"Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the Lord your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name.

They said to Moses, "If you speak to us, we will listen; but we are afraid that if God speaks to us, we will die."

Moses replied, "Don't be afraid; God has only come to test you and make you keep on obeying him, so that you will not sin."

But the people continued to stand a long way off, and only Moses went near the dark cloud where God was.

"In every case of a dispute about property, whether it involves cattle, donkeys, sheep, clothing, or any other lost object, the two people claiming the property shall be taken to the place of worship. The one whom God declares to be guilty shall pay double to the other one.

"Condemn to death anyone who offers sacrifices to any god except to me, the Lord .

"Do not speak evil of God, and do not curse a leader of your people.