LESSON VI (19).- February 9.

JETHRO'S COUNSEL.- Exodus 18: 1-27.

PRINT Exodus 18:12-26.

GOLDEN TEXT. - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. GAL. 6:12.

Additional Material for Teachers: Luke 10: 1; Acts 13: 1-3; Rom. 16: 1–24;

I Cor. 12: 12-31.

Primary Topic: MOSES CHOOSES HELPERS.

Memory Verse: Come thou with us and we will do thee good. · Junior Topic: WORKING TOGETHER.

Memory Verse : I Cor. 39.

Review earlier Memory Verses.

Intermediate Topic: TEAM WORK IN RELIGION.

Num. 10 29.

Senior and Adult Topic: COÖPERATION IN THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM.
Additional Material: Same as for Teachers.

In our last lesson we left the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sin, one month after they had left Egypt (Ex. 16). Here they had received the " bread from heaven," the manna and the quails. They next proceeded toward Mt. Sinai.

I. PREPARING THE ISRAELITES TO BECOME A NATION. We enter, in this lesson, upon the preparation of the people to become a nation. In Egypt there must have been some kind of civil organization, but the Israelites were chiefly under Egyptian law and rule. Such social organization as they had possessed had served mainly to keep the divisions of families and tribes, with such rights as naturally belonged to them in that patriarchal age; and to some extent, the worship of the true God. Now they must become a nation, with civil laws, and moral principles; with rulers and organizations. It will still require years to train the people into a nation, but the beginning could be made at this point.

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'Jehovah was now about to give mankind a new ideal in government. He was to inaugurate the beginning of civil liberty. He was to furnish them a constitution and by-laws. He was to allow them to have a voice in their own affairs, and he was to allow them to vote on the acceptance of their king. It is to be noted as a fact in human history that the first suggestion of a purely democratic or popular government under safe and sane limitations was never known among mankind until it was introduced by Jehovah himself in the commonwealth of Israel. All popular governments ever since emanated from that one precedent. He was to exercise toward them, and over them, all the functions of a great and beneficent sovereign. The whole procedure is marked by the strictest diplomatic form known to the children of men." Review and Expositor.

From this time, B.C. 1498 (Beecher), through the wilderness for forty years, and through Joshua and Judges till Saul is called to be king, in B.C. 1102 (Beecher), a period of nearly 400 years (or, as others reckon, B.C. 1200-1057, a period of about 200 years), there was no king over Israel. The nation was a Republic of God."

Now we shall gain most from this lesson and the other lessons in Exodus, if we note carefully and apply to ourselves the various steps and principles through which the Israelites were prepared to become the people of God for the benefit of the whole world.

I. Coöperation with their rulers; and inspiration from God (Ex. 17:8-16). 2. Civil and political organization; aided by Jethro (18: 1-27).

3. Covenant of allegiance; becoming citizens; preparations for receiving the Law (19 1-9).

4. Moral laws, the basis of all good citizenship; the Ten Commandments (20: 1–26). 5. Social and ethical laws and institutions; applications (21-23).

6. Religious training and a place of worship; Tabernacle and Priesthood (25 and beyond).

Only by morality and religion can a republic survive.

II. THE BATTLE AT REPHIDIM ́ AND THE VICTORY, 17 : 8–16. The Israelites continued their journey toward Sinai and encamped at Rephidim in the vicinity of the Sinai group of mountains. Here was no water. Moses at God's command smote a rock there, and an abundance of water flowed from it.

The Amalekites were at that time the most powerful race in the Peninsula, which from the earliest ages was peopled by fierce and warlike tribes with whom the Pharaohs were engaged in constant struggles. The approach of the Israelites would attract their notice. Several things would lead the Amalekites to attack the Israelites.

1. They would be attracted by the booty, and the defenceless condition of Israel with their flocks and herds, and women and children, defended by untrained men, while Amalek could muster a concentrated band of armed and trained men.

2. There was no more common cause of warfare than a dispute for the right of pasturage, and the Israelites were encamped on one of their natural feeding grounds. 3. It may be conjectured that reports of the marvellous supply of water may have reached the natives and accelerated their movements. (See Canon Cook's Exodus.) Note that the Amalekites began the attack.

The story of this battle and the Israelites' defence is especially interesting, and instructive.

Moses appointed Joshua the son of Nun, one of the younger leaders, as general of Israel's forces. One commentator says that Moses was too old and feeble to lead the army in person. But that does not describe his condition. He led the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years after this, and when he died " his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated" (Deut. 34: 7). Moses had something more important to do at this time.

Moses with Aaron and Hur went up to the top of a nearby hill, where he could watch the battle below and all its movements; and there he stood holding up before the warriors the wonder-working rod with which he had defeated the Pharaoh of Egypt, and led Israel across the Red Sea. This act was a prayer to God, and an appeal that He should add another deliverance to those of the past.

The sight of Moses and that wonder-working rod called to the mind of the warriors all that God through Moses had done for them, and breathed new courage and hope into their souls. Hence when Moses held up his hand the battle favored Israel, and when he let it down to rest Amalek prevailed, showing that the rod was the sign of Jehovah's presence and power.

12. And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

The battle continued till nightfall.

"But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword" (17: 12, 13).

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This is an excellent illustration of how we can hold up the hands of our pastors and leaders, and bring victory to them.

III. JETHRO BRINGS MOSES' FAMILY TO HIM IN ONE OF THE VALLEYS BEFORE SINAI, 18:1-11. At some time during Moses' contest with Pharaoh, when he compelled that monarch to let the Israelites go, it had been necessary to send his wife and her two boys into the region of the Midianites to her father Jethro for safe keeping. In all the stirring scenes and dangers he was sure that his family was well cared for.

Now that Moses and all Israel had reached the new encampment he was glad to have his family once more with him, and they were glad to be once more united.

out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. And Moses told his fatherin-law all that Jehovah had done unto Pharaoh and unto the Egyptians for Israel's sake. . . and how Jehovah delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Jehovah had done to Israel."

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Thus a picture is drawn of a pleasant meeting and interesting conversation between Jethro and Moses. Very interesting it is to read of the two friends asking each other of their welfare, and Moses rehearsing in the language of common life all that Jehovah had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and telling how He had delivered them from all the troubles by the way. Very precious to him must have been the sympathy.

"Then came the solemn act of united worship; Jethro, as priest, offers a burnt offering to the God of Israel, and Aaron with all the elders of Israel partake of the sacrificial feast; thus joining in the highest service in honor of the one supreme God. Very delightful to Moses it must have been to find Jethro so thoroughly at one with him - renouncing whatever was inconsistent with the pure worship of Israel's God. May not the rest of Moses' domestic life have been rendered happier by this fusion of interest and sympathy in the highest region of family life?" Professor Blaikie.

IV. JETHRO GIVES MOSES WISE ADVICE AS TO THE ORGANIZATION OF HIS WORK, 18: 13-26. On the morrow after his arrival Jethro watched Moses all day long as he sat to judge the people.

13. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14. And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15. And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

16. When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17. And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

18. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

19. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20. And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22. And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

24. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

Jethro said to Moses: Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even ?

Moses replied: Because the people come to me to enquire of God: when they have a matter, they come unto me, and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

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Jethro The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

Jethro then gave him a plan of organization which would enable Moses to save his strength for his more important duties. This plan is stated in verses 21-23. Moses was to choose able, honest, God-fearing men, to be judges of the smaller matters, while the difficult cases only were brought to Moses.

Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. It was not long before Moses was summoned by God to go up on Mt. Sinai, and learn the great principles of religion and morals, and all the duties that flow from them. He was to remain there forty days, and for all that time the people must decide their affairs without him. He could, however, feel at rest concerning the people in the encampment, for he had arranged to have Jethro's plan put into practice. He chose the wisest and best men, and made them rulers and judges of different degrees of authority, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. We learn from Deut. 19-15 that Moses allowed the people themselves to elect these officials, doubtless under supervision.

25. 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.

26. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

"The true statesman and administrator is he who employs to the utmost all the capabilities and energies of his, subordinates. And Jethro made a deep mark in history when he taught Moses the distinction between the lawgiver and the judge, between him who sought from God, and proclaimed to the people the principles of justice, and him who applied the law to each problem as it arose. -Professor Chadwick in Expositor's Bible.

V. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS. This lesson has many applications with regard to the organization of a nation; the relation of lawmakers to courts; the relation of each court to the others; and many other points largely political.

But the main lesson for us here is our part in the work, the need of team-work in religion, if we are to accomplish all that lies before us; of coöperation of churches and individuals in the work of the kingdom, in order that it shall reach its maximum efficiency.

1. The Community Spirit needed to-day is the spirit of service. There is at this writing a great call for individual service to the town and the nation. "Whatever of service you owe to your country in time of war, you no less owe to her in time of peace; and even then, when you have given all you can, you have by no means paid to her all you owe. What I devoutly hope is that the new fervor of national service shall not rest upon the precarious foundation of a temporary emergency, but upon broad and abiding grounds of a genuine moral passion. And who knows but that at last God may not through the present need bring forth out of this great tragedy this supreme good that of committing every one of us deeply, irrevocably, and to the end of our lives to the service of the common wealth in which by the will of God our lot is cast. - Rev. Richard Roberts, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

But the new Community Spirit should not be confined to our own land. The promise to the ancestors of the Israelites was that in them should "all the world be blessed." "The nations will learn that they have a common cause; that they are alike called and committed to the task of finishing this unfinished world and making it that fair and lovely home of man that God meant it to be. Just as we are called to create new nations on the principle of the free and joyful service of individuals, so we are called to create a new world on the principle of the free and joyful service of nations." Rev. Richard Roberts.

2. Team-work in Religion. Familiarity with team-work in everyday affairs, in business, in clubs, in games like baseball and football, and in general athletics, prepares the boys and girls for carrying out team-work in our religious life.

"A passing word should be said regarding the tremendous power for good that boys may exert when enlisted. We are only beginning to discover how valuable boys are as workers with other boys and how satisfactory are the results on both the worker and the worked. Boys are eager to work, but too many churches have no reasonable work for them to do. Any system of religious education which deals only with the theory of religion and which ignores the valuable service of adolescent boys, cannot hope for great success."

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"The Boy Scout movement is nothing more nor less than organized energy. average boy, like the restless tides, is a mass of undirected energy. He spends hour after hour in mischief.' The Boy Scout movement has proved beyond a doubt that the average boy can derive quite as much pleasure from organizing his own energy as from disorganizing other people's nerves. And then, once the boy has learned the pleasure of organization and mass work, he becomes anxious to project this discovery into his later life. Briefly, he becomes a citizen instead of an inhabitant."

Such organizations as the Knights of King Arthur, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, and many others, are a real aid to the religious work. Every Sunday School class is more effective for being organized. The Christian Endeavor Society, Epworth League, the Baptist Young People's Union, are vastly more effective than the single independent young people's evening services. Indeed these and similar organizations have revolutionized the work of the churches. The Christian Endeavor Society, as late as 1912, existed in eighty different denominations, and in all parts