Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do. Teach themThe Hebrew root for "teach" is "yara," which means to instruct or direct. This word implies a deliberate and careful impartation of knowledge. In the context of Exodus, Moses is instructed to guide the Israelites in understanding God's will. This teaching is not merely academic but is meant to transform lives and align them with divine purposes. The role of teaching in the biblical sense is foundational to the community's spiritual health and obedience to God. the statutes and laws
The Hebrew words for "statutes" (chukkim) and "laws" (torot) refer to the decrees and instructions given by God. "Chukkim" often denotes decrees that may not have an obvious rationale but are to be followed out of obedience to God. "Torot" is the plural of "Torah," meaning instructions or teachings. These terms emphasize the comprehensive nature of God's guidance, covering both moral and ceremonial aspects of life. Historically, these statutes and laws were central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, setting them apart as a holy nation. and show them
The phrase "show them" comes from the Hebrew "yada," which means to know or to make known. This implies a relational and experiential knowledge, not just theoretical understanding. Moses is tasked with demonstrating through his own life and leadership what it means to follow God's ways. This highlights the importance of living out one's faith as a testimony to others, embodying the principles being taught. the way to live
"The way" (Hebrew: derek) signifies a path or journey. In biblical terms, it often represents the course of life one chooses to follow. "To live" (Hebrew: chayah) means to have life or to be alive. Together, these words suggest a holistic approach to life that encompasses moral, spiritual, and practical dimensions. The Israelites are to walk in a manner that reflects their identity as God's people, living out His commandments in every aspect of their lives. and the work they must do
The Hebrew word for "work" is "ma'aseh," which refers to deeds or actions. This phrase underscores the practical application of God's statutes and laws. It is not enough to know God's will; it must be actively carried out in daily life. The "work" involves both individual responsibilities and communal duties, reflecting the covenant community's collective mission. This call to action is a reminder that faith is demonstrated through works, as echoed in the New Testament (James 2:17). 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. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who visits Moses and offers wise counsel on leadership and governance. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God, recently freed from slavery in Egypt, who are learning to live as a covenant community under God's laws. 4. Mount SinaiThe location where Moses receives the Law from God, a significant place of divine revelation and instruction. 5. The WildernessThe 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 LawThe 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 CommandsThe phrase "the way to live" implies that God's laws are practical and applicable to daily life, not just theoretical knowledge. Work as WorshipThe "work they must do" suggests that all aspects of life, including work, are opportunities to serve and honor God. Community and AccountabilityTeaching 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 119:105Highlights the guiding nature of God's Word, akin to Moses showing the Israelites "the way to live." Matthew 28:19-20The Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples to teach others to obey His commands, reflecting the teaching role Moses had. 2 Timothy 3:16-17Stresses 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
4020 life, of faith
5103 Moses, significance Exodus 18:13-24 5636 work, and rest Exodus 18:13-26 5054 responsibility, examples
5358 judges
8438 giving, of time Exodus 18:14-27 5685 fathers, responsibilities Exodus 18:17-23 5582 tiredness Exodus 18:17-24 5779 advice Exodus 18:20-23 5489 rank 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 ScriptureGershom and Eliezer
'The name of the one [of Moses' sons] was Gershom ... and the name of the other was Eliezer....'--EXODUS xviii. 3, 4. In old times parents often used to give expression to their hopes or their emotions in the names of their children. Very clearly that was the case in Moses' naming of his two sons, who seem to have been the whole of his family. The significance of each name is appended to it in the text. The explanation of the first is, 'For he said, I have been an alien in a strange land'; and that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Origin and Growth of Law.
MOSES' WORK AS JUDGE AND PROPHET.--Ex. 18; 1-27; 33:5-11. Parallel References. Hist. Bible I, 198-203. Prin. of Politics, Ch. VI. Maine, Ancient Law. Jehovah spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend--Ex. 33: 11. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard cases they brought unto Moses, but every small …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament 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
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Easter Tuesday
Second Sermon. Same Text. Acts 13, 26-39. THE WORD AND THE RESURRECTION.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon appeared first in the Church Postil, the Explanation of the Epistle and Gospel Texts from Easter to Advent. Printed by Hans Lufft, Wittenberg, 1559.] 1. This sermon was preached by Paul in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where were gathered with the Jews some Greek converts. Wherever in a city Jews were to be found, there also were their synagogues in which they taught and preached; and many …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 18:20 NIVExodus 18:20 NLTExodus 18:20 ESVExodus 18:20 NASBExodus 18:20 KJV
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