Study Desk

The name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, "My father's God was my help and delivered me from Pharaoh's sword."

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the Mountain of God.

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all of the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God.

When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws."

Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.

Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all of these people also will go to their place in peace."

Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him out of the mountain, saying, "This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:

Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.

When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

God spoke all these words, saying,

"I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,

"You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates;

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

They said to Moses, "Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don't let God speak with us, lest we die."

Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won't sin."

The people stayed at a distance, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.