Day 1

Week 7: Day 1
Read: Exodus 18; Numbers 11

The events of Exodus 18 are like a big parenthesis, interrupting the chronological sequence of the book. If we compare other Scriptures such as Numbers 11 or Deuteronomy 1 with this text, and look closely at the specific content within Exodus 18, then I think we can determine the events mentioned here did not take place until the end of Israel’s time at Mt. Sinai.
Exodus 18:5 says Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, reunited with Moses while he was “encamped at the mountain of God.” But the Israelites did not camp at the mountain of God (Mt. Sinai) until Exodus 19:1-2 (2 months after leaving Egypt). And as we will soon see they were camped at Mt. Sinai for almost a year.
Today in your reading you read Numbers 11, which along with Deuteronomy 1, both indicate that leaders were not chosen to help Moses judge the people until Israel was ready to leave Mt. Sinai. I think we could even speculate according to Numbers 11 that it was the people’s weeping for meat once again that pushed Moses over the edge, likely making Jethro’s advice to Moses very attractive.
Furthermore, in Numbers 10:29-32, Zipporah’s brother, Hobab, is mentioned. Moses asks him to go with the Israelites upon their departure from Mt. Sinai. It is likely that since Hobab was present with the Israelites at the conclusion of their time at Mt. Sinai that the father-in-law was there as well. This lends good support to the family reunion spoken of in Exodus 18 (the reuniting of Moses with his wife and sons) occurring after the law was given. Additionally, Exodus 18:16 states that Moses sat as judge for the Israelites, warning them of God’s statues and laws, but chronologically speaking the law had not been given yet.
Therefore I submit to you that Jethro’s arrival with Zipporah and his leadership advice to Moses took place at the end of Israel’s time at Mt. Sinai (after the law and instructions for the Tabernacle had been given to Israel). So why was Exodus 18 placed out of chronological order? I believe the best response to this question is because from Exodus 19 to the end of the book the text will focus on all that occurred at Mt. Sinai; specifically the building of the Tabernacle. And for Moses to have placed this portion of text at the end of Exodus would have taken away from the awesome ending of the book; that of God’s glory filling the Tabernacle (Exodus 40: 34-38).
Now often times what gets focused on in the first section of Exodus 18 is the faith of Jethro but it is not for us to say whether or not Jethro was a believer in the LORD before or after this incident. Only the LORD knows the true heart of Jethro. In 18:11 Jethro proclaims, “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” To me this statement does not indicate his trust in other gods, but indicates the truth of God’s triumph over the false gods of Egypt. Consider the fact that spiritual warfare was likely much more visible in those times. So it would have been easier for Satan to lure many into thinking there was more than one god. The people of that day likely did not know to call the other “gods” demons or the evil one Satan.
Now as to when Zipporah returned home to her father, we are not told. It may have been after the circumcision of her son, in which she calls Moses “a bloody husband” or a “bridegroom of blood” (Ex. 4:24-26). Many scholars that take this position. But she also could have reunited with her family once they reached Rephidim, for that would have been quite close to where she grew up. And if her return to Moses was not until after the law was given then maybe she spent the 11 months that Moses was busy on top of Mt. Sinai with the LORD (receiving the law), back home with her family. We don’t know for sure, we can only speculate.

The second half of Exodus 18 focuses on Moses’ job as judge and representative before God. There are several different lessons we could pull from Exodus 18:13-27 (i.e. sharing the burden of spiritual leadership; respecting the authorities set above us; qualities of spiritual leaders) but for today I want to take note of one important lesson that comes out of Exodus 18:20. The way in which the people were judged was by the Word of God.
And make no mistake; it is by the Word that we are still judged today. Exodus 18:20 says “and you shall warn them about the statues and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.” Moses showed them by God’s Word how they should live and act each and every day. God’s Word was the standard back then and it is still the standard today. It is the guide for how we should live each day; the standard by which each decision determined. So I ask you to seriously consider, is the Word of God your standard for making decisions? Is it the first place you go when determining right from wrong? God has made known his will for us through the commands given in Scripture. In order to live a life that is pleasing to the LORD it is essential you make God’s Word the number one priority in your life. Everything we need to live according to God’s Will, everything we need to live a life of godliness, is right before us in the Bible. Therefore, just like the Israelites it is essential we know the decrees of the LORD and we walk in them!
Accordingly Joshua 1:8 gives us the secret to being prosperous and successful. The key is meditating on God’s word day and night. Chew on it like we talked about a couple weeks ago. Then when situations arise wherein you’re not sure what to do, you’ll be ready. The Lord will be faithful to guide and prepare you, but you must be in the Word. The measuring rod for all you do and say must be the word of the LORD. Yes Moses was placed in authority over the people but the Word of the LORD was the ultimate authority. It was the LORD’s decrees that Moses used to make rightful judgments. Prosperity and success as measured by the LORD, not the world, await all who make God’s Word the ultimate authority in their life.
Furthermore, Psalm 119:11 tells us it is God’s Word stored up in our hearts that helps us to not sin against the Lord. How so? Because it is by His Word we are able to ascertain His good, pleasing, and perfect will. A good place to start when considering God’s will is Romans 12 through 15 because it’s chalked full of God’s will for us. For example, God’s will is that we not be conformed to the world, walk humbly, love with a genuine love, live in harmony with each other, overcome evil with good, and respect the authorities over us, just to name a few.
Your key verse today is Psalm 119:130, it states “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” I love this verse because it is not just to the great scholars and teachers that God’s Word can give guidance to, but even to the simple minded, like me! God never intended for His Word (His commands) to be confusing or complicated, but instead He intended His Word to be a lighted pathway for those who desire to live for Him.
If you are willing to give priority to God’s Word you will see there is plenty of wisdom and insight provided for us to be able to live each moment of our lives in godliness. But it starts with meditating on the Word day and night!

The Principle: Precedence to God’s Word will result in godliness primarily lived out.

If you desire to live a godly life; if you long to know the ways in which you must walk to please Him; if you yearn for a life that is truly prosperous and fulfilling; then get in the Word and stop making excuses.

1. Is the Word of God your guide for decision making? How so?

2. The establishment of godly authority in our lives is Biblical. Do you respect the authorities that God has placed over you? Do you view them as God appointed? Consider today how you need to either respect or encourage the authority figures God has placed in your life.