Exodus 17
17At the LORD's command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink.H5712H1121H3478H5265H4057H5512H4550H6310H3068H2583H7508H4325H5971H8354 2So once more the people complained against Moses. "Give us water to drink!" they demanded. "Quiet!" Moses replied. "Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the LORD?"H5971H7378H4872H559H5414H4325H8354H4872H559H7378H5254H3068 3But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. "Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?"H5971H6770H4325H5971H3885H4872H559H5927H4714H4191H1121H4735H6772 4Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!"H4872H6817H3068H559H6213H5971H4592H5619 5The LORD said to Moses, "Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you.H3068H559H4872H5674H6440H5971H3947H2205H3478H4294H5221H2975H3947H3027H1980 6I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink." So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.H5975H6440H6697H2722H5221H6697H3318H4325H5971H8354H4872H6213H5869H2205H3478 7Moses named the place Massah (which means "test") and Meribah (which means "arguing") because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD here with us or not?"H7121H8034H4725H4532H4809H7379H1121H3478H5254H3068H559H3426H3068H7130 8While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them.H935H6002H3898H3478H7508 9Moses commanded Joshua, "Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand."H4872H559H3091H977H582H3318H3898H6002H4279H5324H7218H1389H4294H430H3027 10So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.H3091H6213H4872H559H3898H6002H4872H175H2354H5927H7218H1389 11As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.H4872H7311H3027H3478H1396H5117H3027H6002H1396 12Moses' arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.H4872H3027H3515H3947H68H7760H3427H175H2354H8551H3027H259H259H3027H530H935H8121 13As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.H3091H2522H6002H5971H6310H2719 14After the victory, the LORD instructed Moses, "Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven."H3068H559H4872H3789H2146H5612H7760H241H3091H4229H4229H2143H6002H8064 15Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means "the LORD is my banner").H4872H1129H4196H7121H8034H3071 16He said, "They have raised their fist against the LORD's throne, so now the LORD will be at war with Amalek generation after generation."H559H3050H3027H3676H3068H4421H6002H1755H1755
Exodus 18
18Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the LORD had rescued them from Egypt.H3503H3548H4080H4872H2859H8085H430H6213H4872H3478H5971H3068H3318H3478H47142Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in.H3503H4872H2859H3947H6855H4872H802H310H79643(Moses' first son was named Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, "I have been a foreigner in a foreign land."H8147H1121H8034H259H1647H559H1616H5237H7764His second son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, "The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.")H8034H259H461H430H1H5828H5337H2719H65475Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses' wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God.H3503H4872H2859H935H1121H802H4872H4057H2583H2022H4306Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, "I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons."H559H4872H2859H3503H935H802H8147H11217So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other's welfare and then went into Moses' tent.H4872H3318H7125H2859H7812H5401H7592H376H7453H7965H935H1688Moses told his father-in-law everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the LORD had rescued his people from all their troubles.H4872H5608H2859H3068H6213H6547H4714H3478H182H8513H4672H1870H3068H53379Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.H3503H2302H2896H3068H6213H3478H5337H3027H471410"Praise the LORD," Jethro said, "for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt!H3503H559H1288H3068H5337H3027H4714H3027H6547H5337H5971H3027H471411I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians."H3045H3068H1419H430H1697H210212Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God's presence.H3503H4872H2859H3947H5930H2077H430H175H935H2205H3478H398H3899H4872H2859H6440H43013The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people's disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.H4283H4872H3427H8199H5971H5971H5975H4872H1242H615314When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, "What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?"H4872H2859H7200H6213H5971H559H1697H6213H5971H3427H5971H5324H1242H615315Moses replied, "Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.H4872H559H2859H5971H935H1875H43016When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God's decrees and give them his instructions."H1697H935H8199H376H7453H3045H2706H430H845117"This is not good!" Moses' father-in-law exclaimed.H4872H2859H559H1697H6213H289618"You're going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.H5034H5034H5971H1697H3515H3201H621319Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.H8085H6963H3289H430H1961H5971H4136H430H935H1697H43020Teach them God's decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.H2094H853H2706H8451H3045H1870H3212H4639H621321But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.H2372H5971H2428H582H3373H430H582H571H8130H1215H7760H8269H505H8269H3967H8269H2572H8269H623522They should always be available to solve the people's common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.H8199H5971H6256H1419H1697H935H6996H1697H8199H7043H537523If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."H6213H1697H430H6680H3201H5975H5971H935H4725H796524Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions.H4872H8085H6963H2859H6213H55925He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.H4872H977H2428H582H3478H5414H7218H5971H8269H505H8269H3967H8269H2572H8269H623526These men were always available to solve the people's common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.H8199H5971H6256H7186H1697H935H4872H6996H1697H1992H819927Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.H4872H2859H7971H3212H776
Exodus 19
19Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai.H7992H2320H1121H3478H3318H776H4714H3117H935H4057H5514 2After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.H5265H7508H935H4057H5514H2583H4057H3478H2583H2022 3Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel.H4872H5927H430H3068H7121H2022H559H559H1004H3290H5046H1121H3478 4'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.H7200H6213H4714H5375H5404H3671H935 5Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.H8085H6963H8085H8104H1285H5459H5971H776 6And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the people of Israel."H4467H3548H6918H1471H1697H1696H1121H3478 7So Moses returned from the mountain and called together the elders of the people and told them everything the LORD had commanded him.H4872H935H7121H2205H5971H7760H6440H1697H3068H6680 8And all the people responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has commanded." So Moses brought the people's answer back to the LORD.H5971H6030H3162H559H3068H1696H6213H4872H7725H1697H5971H3068 9Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you." Moses told the LORD what the people had said.H3068H559H4872H935H5645H6051H5971H8085H1696H539H5769H4872H5046H1697H5971H3068 10Then the LORD told Moses, "Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing.H3068H559H4872H3212H5971H6942H3117H4279H3526H8071 11Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.H3559H7992H3117H7992H3117H3068H3381H5869H5971H2022H5514 12Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, 'Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.H1379H5971H5439H559H8104H5927H2022H5060H7097H5060H2022H4191H4191 13No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.' However, when the ram's horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain."H3027H5060H5619H5619H176H3384H3384H929H518H376H2421H3104H4900H5927H2022 14So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and they washed their clothes.H4872H3381H2022H5971H6942H5971H3526H8071 15He told them, "Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from having sexual intercourse."H559H5971H1961H3559H7969H3117H5066H802 16On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram's horn, and all the people trembled.H7992H3117H1242H6963H1300H3515H6051H2022H6963H7782H3966H2389H5971H4264H2729 17Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.H4872H3318H5971H4264H7125H430H3320H8482H2022 18All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.H2022H5514H6225H6440H834H3068H3381H784H6227H5927H6227H3536H2022H2729H3966 19As the blast of the ram's horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply.H6963H7782H6963H1980H2390H3966H4872H1696H430H6030H6963 20The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.H3068H3381H2022H5514H7218H2022H3068H7121H4872H413H7218H2022H4872H5927 21Then the LORD told Moses, "Go back down and warn the people not to break through the boundaries to see the LORD, or they will die.H3068H559H4872H3381H5749H5971H2040H3068H7200H7227H5307 22Even the priests who regularly come near to the LORD must purify themselves so that the LORD does not break out and destroy them."H3548H5066H3068H6942H3068H6555 23"But LORD," Moses protested, "the people cannot come up to Mount Sinai. You already warned us. You told me, 'Mark off a boundary all around the mountain to set it apart as holy.'"H4872H559H3068H5971H3201H5927H2022H5514H5749H559H1379H2022H6942 24But the LORD said, "Go down and bring Aaron back up with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people break through to approach the LORD, or he will break out and destroy them."H3068H559H3212H3381H5927H175H3548H5971H2040H5927H3068H6555 25So Moses went down to the people and told them what the LORD had said.H4872H3381H5971H559
Exodus 20
20Then God gave the people all these instructions.H430H1696H1697H5592"I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.H3068H430H3318H776H4714H1004H56503"You must not have any other god but me.H312H430H64404"You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.H6213H6459H8544H834H8064H4605H776H4325H7765You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.H7812H5647H3068H430H7067H410H6485H5771H1H1121H8029H7256H81306But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.H6213H2617H505H157H8104H46877"You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.H5375H8034H3068H430H7723H3068H5352H5375H8034H77238"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.H2142H7676H3117H69429You have six days each week for your ordinary work,H8337H3117H5647H6213H439910but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.H7637H3117H7676H3068H430H6213H4399H1121H1323H5650H519H929H1616H817911For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.H8337H3117H3068H6213H8064H776H3220H5117H7637H3117H3068H1288H7676H3117H694212"Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.H3513H1H517H3117H748H127H3068H430H541413"You must not murder.H752314"You must not commit adultery.H500315"You must not steal.H158916"You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.H6030H8267H5707H745317"You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor."H2530H7453H1004H2530H7453H802H5650H519H7794H2543H745318When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram's horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.H5971H7200H6963H3940H6963H7782H2022H6226H5971H7200H5128H5975H735019And they said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen. But don't let God speak directly to us, or we will die!"H559H4872H1696H8085H430H1696H419120"Don't be afraid," Moses answered them, "for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!"H4872H559H5971H3372H430H935H5668H5254H3374H6440H239821As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.H5971H5975H7350H4872H5066H6205H43022And the LORD said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: You saw for yourselves that I spoke to you from heaven.H3068H559H4872H559H1121H3478H7200H1696H806423Remember, you must not make any idols of silver or gold to rival me.H6213H430H3701H6213H430H209124"Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me—your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats, and your cattle. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you.H4196H127H6213H2076H5930H8002H6629H1241H4725H2142H8034H935H128825If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.H6213H4196H68H1129H1496H5130H2719H249026And do not approach my altar by going up steps. If you do, someone might look up under your clothing and see your nakedness.H5927H4609H4196H6172H1540
Dublin, OH
and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink.H5712
