Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do. Teach them the statutes and laws,Moses was to instruct Israel in the commandments God had given, so that justice would rest on God’s revealed will rather than personal opinion or tribal custom. Jethro’s counsel joined wise delegation with faithful teaching: appointed judges could decide ordinary cases only if the people understood the standards by which God called them to live. God’s law shaped Israel as a covenant people, ordering worship, family life, property, justice, mercy, and responsibility toward neighbors. The same duty of passing on God’s commands appears in Deuteronomy 6:6–7, where Israel is commanded to teach them diligently to the next generation. Ezr 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD,… and show them the way to live Knowledge of God’s commands was to lead to obedient conduct. Moses was not merely to settle disputes after wrongdoing had occurred, but to guide the people in the path that prevented injustice and cultivated holiness. Scripture often portrays faithful living as walking in God’s ways, a pattern fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ, who is “the way” and whose life reveals wholehearted obedience to the Father. Believers likewise are called to walk by the Spirit, allowing God’s truth to govern daily decisions and relationships. Deu 5:33 You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God… and the work they must do. Each Israelite had responsibilities within the covenant community, including honest labor, righteous dealings, care for others, and obedience in worship. God had given humanity work from the beginning, charging Adam to cultivate and keep the garden. Work therefore was not merely a burden but part of faithful service to God. In Christ, God’s people are created for good works, serving as fellow workers in His purposes while relying on His grace. Deu 1:16-17 At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage and guide them through the wilderness. 2. Jethro Moses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who visits Moses and offers wise counsel on leadership and governance. 3. Israelites The people of God, recently freed from slavery in Egypt, who are learning to live as a covenant community under God's laws. 4. Mount Sinai The location where Moses receives the Law from God, a significant place of divine revelation and instruction. 5. The Wilderness The setting for the Israelites' journey, representing both physical and spiritual challenges as they learn to trust and obey God. Teaching Points The Role of Leadership in TeachingMoses is instructed to teach the people, highlighting the responsibility of leaders to impart God's truth and guide others in righteous living. The Importance of God's Law The statutes and laws are not merely rules but a way of life that reflects God's character and purposes for His people. Living Out God's Commands The phrase "the way to live" implies that God's laws are practical and applicable to daily life, not just theoretical knowledge. Work as Worship The "work they must do" suggests that all aspects of life, including work, are opportunities to serve and honor God. Community and Accountability Teaching and living out God's laws are communal activities, requiring mutual support and accountability among believers. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' role as a teacher and leader in Exodus 18:20 inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today?2. In what ways can we apply the principles of God's statutes and laws to our daily lives, as Moses was instructed to teach the Israelites? 3. How does the concept of "the way to live" in Exodus 18:20 connect with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? 4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that our work and daily activities align with God's purposes, as suggested by "the work they must do"? 5. How can we foster a community that supports and holds each other accountable to living out God's commands, as seen in the communal aspect of Moses' teaching? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 6:1-9This passage emphasizes the importance of teaching God's commandments to the next generation, similar to Moses' role in instructing the Israelites. Psalm 119:105 Highlights the guiding nature of God's Word, akin to Moses showing the Israelites "the way to live." Matthew 28:19-20 The Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples to teach others to obey His commands, reflecting the teaching role Moses had. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Stresses the usefulness of Scripture for teaching and equipping believers, paralleling Moses' task of teaching statutes and laws. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Midian, RephidimTopics Clear, Decisions, Decrees, Duties, Guiding, Hast, Laws, Making, Ordinances, Perform, Rules, Statutes, Teach, Teaching, Walk, Warned, WhereinDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 18:20 1175 God, will of 5054 responsibility, examples 5685 fathers, responsibilities Library The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. Gladstone's Death. ]'Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.'--EXODUS xviii. 21. You will have anticipated my purpose in selecting this text. I should be doing violence to your feelings and mine if I made no reference to the event which has united the Empire and the world in one sentiment. The great tree has fallen, and the crash has for the moment silenced all the sounds of the forest. Wars abroad and controversies at home are … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Gershom and Eliezer The Origin and Growth of Law. The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide Opposition to Messiah Ruinous Easter Tuesday After the Scripture. Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes Exodus Links Exodus 18:20 NIVExodus 18:20 NLT Exodus 18:20 ESV Exodus 18:20 NASB Exodus 18:20 KJV Exodus 18:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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