Exodus 17 - 20

The Ten Commandments
Today's portion begins with a complaint by the people against Moses because they need water (17:2).  Having been self reliant for decades in Egypt, then being slaves prior to the Lord delivering them, the children of Israel still had not learned to place their faith in God.  Moses' exasperation with his people begins to manifest (17:4) and he asks the Lord, "What should I do with these people?" His question shows that even Moses needed to learn to have faith.

In 17:6 Moses is told to "strike the rock" to have it bring forth water.  As we will read in a later portion, his exasperation and his thought the he has to handle the people will cause him to commit a terrible mistake. In chapter 18 we get a better insight into Moses' condition as it relates to the people he is leading.  His father-in-law Jethro pays him a visit and observes that Moses spends all of his day solving problems, trivial and major, for his people.  This would fray the nerves of even the most holy and patient person!

Jethro is a wise man and understands the concept of "delegation."  In a lesson that could be straight out of a modern day management text, Jethro explains to Moses how to delegate authority (18:17-23).  How to set up a management structure with executives, middle managers, and supervisors.  This chain of command will ease the time burden and mental strain that Moses is subjected to daily.  Seeing the wisdom of Jethro, and with God's blessing, Moses implements the plan with much success.

In chapter 19, the Lord explains to Moses how the people of Israel are "special."  How he will set up a covenant with them.  How he will protect them.  The Lord also has the people prepare for the visitation of the pillar of fire to Moses on Mt Sinai.  All of these things are in preparation for the giving of the Ten Commandments.

Chapter 20 details the Ten Commandments - actually "instructions" for His chosen people.  Timeless in their application and elegant in their simplicity and magnificent in their scope, these instructions are still relevant today - not only to the Jews and Christians, but to all mankind.

The first four commandments cover all aspects of man's relationship to the only true God.

• He is God alone
• He alone is to be worshipped - there shall be no idols
• His Name is holy and shall not be used in vain
• Time with Him is critical - the Sabbath day must be observed. (Time with God is more critical than money.  He only requires a tenth of our increase, but required the Jews to give a seventh of their time. Christians must give 100% of their time to God.)

The next six commandments cover all aspects of man's relationship to man.

• One must honor and obey their parents. This is critical to maintaining the integrity of the family structure. It also is a metaphor for our relationship to God.  He (our spiritual parent) brought us forth. Similarly, our parents brought us forth and gave us human life - for that they must be honored. This honors the beginning of human life.
• We cannot take another person's life. This honors the living of human life.
• We must not commit sexual sins. This honors the morality human life.
• We must not steal. This honors the material rights of human life.
• We must not falsely testify against another. This honors the civil rights of human life.
• We must not covet another's possessions.  This honors the self-integrity of human life. 

These instructions should have been adequate.  But as we will find in tomorrow's reading, there was much more law to be given.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.