Study Desk

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, was the priest of Midian. He heard about everything that God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites, and how the Lord had led the Israelites out of Egypt.

The other son was named Eliezer, because when he was born, Moses said, "The God of my father is my help. He saved me from the king of Egypt."

So Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Moses' wife and his two sons and went to Moses. He was camped in the desert near the mountain of God.

Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, gave a whole burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to Moses' father-in-law to eat the holy meal together before God.

Now listen to me, and I will give you some advice. I want God to be with you. You must speak to God for the people and tell him about their disagreements.

But choose some capable men from among the people—men who respect God, who can be trusted, and who will not change their decisions for money. Make these men officers over the people, to rule over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

If you do this as God commands you, then you will be able to do your job, and all the people will go home with their disagreements solved."

Then Moses went up on the mountain to God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "Say this to the family of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:

After Moses went down from the mountain to the people, he made them prepare themselves for service to God, and they washed their clothes.

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

The sound from the trumpet became louder. Then Moses spoke, and the voice of God answered him.

Then God spoke all these words:

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

You must not worship or serve any idol, because I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. If you hate me, I will punish your children, and even your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"You must not use the name of the Lord your God thoughtlessly; the Lord will punish anyone who misuses his name.

but the seventh day is a day of rest to honor the Lord your God. On that day no one may do any work: not you, your son or daughter, your male or female slaves, your animals, or the foreigners living in your cities.

"Honor your father and your mother so that you will live a long time in the land that the Lord your God is going to give you.

Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself, and we will listen. But don't let God speak to us, or we will die."

Then Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid, because God has come to test you. He wants you to respect him so you will not sin."

The people stood far away from the mountain while Moses went near the dark cloud where God was.