Exodus 18 – Moses’s father-in-law, Jethro (AKA
Reuel) brings Zipporah, Moses’ wife, and their two sons, Gershom/Sojourner
There and Eliezer/God’s Help, to Moses at the mountain of God, and he rejoices
to hear all that the Lord has done. The Schocken Bible points out that the
wilderness or “trek” narratives, Exodus and Numbers, have six stations or stops
between Egypt and Sinai, and then six again from Sinai to the Promised
Land. Here they are at the midpoint
of the journey.
It is Jethro
who notices that Moses really needs help in the work he is doing, judging the
people’s disputes and advising them on what it is the Lord wants of them. He
suggests, “You will become worn out, yes, worn out, . . .for this matter is too
heavy for you, you cannot do it alone” (18:18). He tells him “you are to
have the vision (to select) from all the people men of caliber, holding God in
awe, men of truth, hating gain,” and these men you should set over thousands,
hundreds, fifties, and tens “so that they may judge the people at all times”
(18:21-22). Sounds like the Roman military system. So, the introduction of law into the lives
of the migrating people of God, will bring a degree of political organization
as well as moral leadership.
The Didache
The Way of Life (Continued)
2 – The second commandment in
the Teaching mean: Commit no murder, adultery, sodomy, fornication, or theft.
Practice no magic, sorcery, abortion, or infanticide. See that you do not covet
anything your neighbor possesses, and never be guilty of perjury, false
witness, slander, or malice” (191).
Do not equivocate or speak falsely; do not be
avaricious, hypocritical, spiteful or full of yourself. And do not “cherish”
feelings of hatred you may have for others.
3 – Keep away from those who
are bad. “Never give way to anger, for anger leads to homicide” (192). And
“refrain from fanaticism, quarrelling, and hot-temperedness, for these too can
breed homicide” (192)
Do not give in to lust or unclean talk.
“Do not be always looking for omens . . . for this
leads to idolatry. Likewise have nothing to do with witchcraft, astrology, or
magic” (192). These things also lead to idolatry.
“Tell no lies” and “do not be over-anxious to be
rich or to be admired, for these too can breed thievishness” (192).
“Do not be a grumbler . . . for this leads to
blasphemy. Likewise do not be too opinionated” (192).
Learn to be meek; “school yourself to
forbearance, compassion, guilelessness, calmness, and goodness” (192).
“Accept as good whatever experience comes your
way, in the knowledge that nothing can happen without God” (192).
4 – Day and night, “remember
him who speaks the word of God to you. Give him the honor you would give the
Lord; for wherever the Lord’s attributes are the subject of discourse, there
the Lord is present” (192).
Seek the company of those who are holy. And
“never encourage dissensions, but try to make peace between those who are at
variance. Judge with justice, reprove without fear or favor, and never be in
two minds about your decisions” (192).
Do not hesitate to give to those who are in
need. Be sure to discipline your children; do not “withhold your hand from your
son or daughter, but to bring them up in the fear of God from their childhood”
(193).
If you are giving orders to those who work for
you do not “speak sharply” especially if they share the faith. “God “has not
come to call men according to their rank, but those for whom He has prepared
the Spirit” (193). And if you are a servant, “obey your masters with
respectfulness and fear, as the representatives of God” (193).
Do not neglect the commandments of the Lord, and
do not add to them or detract.
“In church, make confession of your faults, and
do not come to your prayers with a bad conscience” (193).
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