After the encounter with the Amalekites, Moses and the children of Israel enter the familiar territory of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro. Just as Melchizedek had worshipped the LORD with Abraham, so now Jethro worships the LORD with Moses. Hear his words of wonder and admiration for the LORD, who is “greater than all gods.”

As Jethro observes Moses and the Israelites, he notices the burden that Moses has taken on. Consider the irony of a people who (in Moses’ words) had wanted to stone him yesterday, but now look to him to solve all their disputes. Jethro has some advice for Moses, which Moses humbly and wisely heeds.

Notice how Moses frames the situation: “The people come to me to inquire of God, and I make them know the statutes of God and His laws.” This is setting up the next great event – one of the Great Events, when the LORD gives all Israel, and not just His prophet, His statutes and laws.

One of the gifts of reading through the entire Bible is getting to read really famous passages in their context. Just about everyone is familiar with the Ten Commandments, but let’s listen to the grand lead-in.

The Israelites camp “before the mountain,” Horeb, or Sinai, just as the LORD had promised Moses. The LORD calls an assembly. The people respond. The LORD announces His coming. The people prepare themselves, even down to their basic activities. The LORD arrives. The people are terrified. And then the LORD tells Moses what He wants all Israel to know.

The sequence matters here. The Ten Commandments don’t stand alone but are part of a covenant, that is set down in a real place. Read Chapter 20 from the beginning, and see how it flows: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, out of the hand of slavery. You shall have no other Gods before Me…”

Remember our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:22: “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.”

Exodus 18 through 20. Now let’s read it!