Exodus Part 5- chapter 17&18

Intro

how long can you hold your hands above your head?- your biggest fan

an illustration of what was to come- these things couldnt be done alone

the introduction of Joshua

last week, people discontent even though God provided their needs and rest and guidance

Battle with Amalek

Israel goes to battle as a nation of wanderers for the first time- it will not be the last

Amalek will be an important figure for a long time

as long as Moses’ arms with the staff of God were over his head Israel prevailed

why would God do something that seems kind of silly? most of the time things like this happen more due to the person rather than God

it seems like an illustration of whats to come, they have faith so long as they can see the thing that represents God held up over them

Israel has done this already and they will do it long after Moses and Joshua

When they see God represented they have faith and conquer and when they don’t they fail

when they hold one another together rather than simply one man being left to hold the burden they all succeed as well

first mention of writing things down

Advice of Jethro

Moses’ father in law is in the area

Moses hasn’t seen his family since he started this adventure

Just as God had said, even people outside of Egypt who had worshipped many gods came to know that YHWH is the greatest

Moses sits to judge the people- completing his role as judge and starting the period of the judges

Jethro sees this and offers the advice illustrated by the story before this as well

Application

I hope that you all in some way are already or will strive to become leaders in some way

sometimes that kind of responsibility comes to you without you choosing it

when you do, its important to understand that people were not designed to bear everything on their own

we need to be enduring people as Paul will instruct Timothy to be, but we also need support if we are going to make it

we are many members of one body and no one person can operate the whole body of faith by their self

be a part, be a leader, be a supporter