Snoopy Examines Exodus

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unsafe said:
Zipporah's feelings are a Mystery ----there is not much about her feelings in Scripture --Except in Exodus 4 when she did the circumcision and thought it was disgusting---and says a bridegroom of blood -----
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We don't know why she was sent back to her father, do we? Or have I missed something?
 
paradox3 said:
We don't know why she was sent back to her father, do we? Or have I missed something?
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Well if the other option was to accompany Moses on a dubious mission to Egypt....

But in terms of the text it never even explicitly says she was sent back. She just sort of disappears after the circumcision story (which does not actually say anything about her feelings at that time -- the bridegroom of blood language may be ritualistic not an expression of disgust)
 
In Jewish Midrash according to Chabad, Zipporah is mentioned, Moses brother doesn't want her there and Moses wants her sent to her father for safety and needs to put his full attention towards talking to God.
 
Waterfall said:
In Jewish Midrash according to Chabad, Zipporah is mentioned, Moses brother doesn't want her there and Moses wants her sent to her father for safety and needs to put his full attention towards talking to God.
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Since Midrash tends to try and fill in the blanks that is a logical an plausible way to go.
 
GordW said:
Since Midrash tends to try and fill in the blanks that is a logical an plausible way to go.
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While Midrash offers some valuable perspectives and enriches the grasping of the Bible, I don't think it's anywhere near as true and authoritative as the Bible is. What it says could be true, but we don't absolutely know that
 
www.biblegateway.com

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 18:13-27 - New English Translation

On the next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning until evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why are you sitting by yourself, and all the people stand...
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Moses sat to judge the people. In large numbers, they came to inquire of God and have their disputes settled. Moses would interpret God's law.

Jethro saw that this was too big a burden for Moses. He advised his son-in-law to select a group of capable men who were truthful & God-fearing and hated bribes.

These individuals would be the judges under normal circumstances. Difficult cases they would bring to Moses.

Moses did as Jethro suggested. Then Jethro went on his way.
 
Snoopy's Snappy Review: Exodus 18: 13-27

An important day for Moses! He heeds the advice of a wise mentor and learns to delegate. (y)
 
Moses here is trying to do what he can't do all by himself without burning himself out ====

The workload is too much for one person ----and his Father-in-law is stepping in to tell him just that ----

This happens today in many churches ----there are to few people willing to help in the Church and the same people are doing the work and burn out can happen quickly ---

Seems like Jethro is counseling Moses on a few things ----

Jethro tells Moses to be a representative for the people and bring their disputes before God ---- Jethro gives Moses a Ministry job description here ----A ministry of Prayer ---Intersession and Seeking wisdom from God to help his people ----and delegate the workload ---

Leaders must present themselves as a good example for God's people to follow -----by showing their people how they should walk an act when following God ----

Jethro then tells Moses what qualities he should look for in picking people to help him share the work load for ministry ----people who fear God and have integrity ---

These qualities should apply today as well for anyone who preforms duties in their Church setting ----

The people rely on the leaders to direct them rightly in the way of the Lord -----and Jethro is telling Moses just that ----

This is true for today as well -----

Being a leader takes having good leadership skills when directing others in the way of God ---

Many leaders today would benefit from putting Jethro's counseling skills into practice in my view -----
 
unsafe said:
This happens today in many churches ----there are to few people willing to help in the Church and the same people are doing the work and burn out can happen quickly ---
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I think a large part of this, in the congregations that I know, is that even if the church is not actively shrinking, its members are aging, and simply can't do as much, as fast.

For instance, I co-lead a yearly plant sale. My partner in crime is 20 years older than I, from an old farm family and still runs circles around me; the fact remains that she is, regardless, 85...
 
BetteTheRed said:
I think a large part of this, in the congregations that I know, is that even if the church is not actively shrinking, its members are aging, and simply can't do as much, as fast.
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That is a real phenomenon in the West. Here in the East, in my experience, not so much. There has been some decrease in church participation, but, for the most part, our churches continue to thrive, thanks to contributions made by all generations
 
Yes, I completely imagine that various religions play out their destiny in many different cultures. I honestly think that the one in which you are currently immersed has a completely different dynamic/trajectory.
 
BetteTheRed said:
I think a large part of this, in the congregations that I know, is that even if the church is not actively shrinking, its members are aging, and simply can't do as much, as fast.
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Yes, many of our congregations are shrinking and aging. Others are closing and amalgamating.

Is there anything to be learned from this story of Jethro and Moses? My first response was to say our leaders need to become better at delegating. But, no, I don't think that is it.

Moses selected his leaders very carefully and was content to have many followers among the people.

Hmmm.
 
www.biblegateway.com

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 19:1-8 - New English Translation

Israel at Sinai - In the third month after the Israelites went out from the land of Egypt, on the very day, they came to the desert of Sinai. After they journeyed from Rephidim, they came to the desert of Sinai, and they camped in the desert; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Moses...
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The Israelites arrive at the Sinai desert and camp out at the foot of the mountain.

The Lord calls to Moses from the mountain and tells him how to address the people. If they listen to God and follow God's commandments, they will become God's special possession. They will become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Moses summons the elders and puts this before them. The people answer together, "All that the Lord has commanded, we will do."

Moses relays the message to God.
 
Snoopy's Snappy Review: Exodus 19: 1-8

God has proposed to the Israelites and they have accepted the offer!

What does it mean to be a kingdom of priests? :unsure:
 
paradox3 said:
Moses summons the elders and puts this before them. The people answer together, "All that the Lord has commanded, we will do."
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This statement here is very important to note ----as the Israelites are making a promise here -with this statement --we will do." ---what the Lord has commanded ------they are committing themselves here to obey all God's commands of them -----

So do they keep this promise they have just committed themselves to -----??????????----
 
Maybe what God needs above all else is people willing to follow God's commandments. More than people willing to serve on church committees and the like.

Of course organizations (like churches) don't run themselves. :unsure:
 
Mendalla said:
I suspect they should have examined the T&C more closely before accepting. Maybe even sent it to outside counsel for review. :D
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In the Torah God will eventually give the Israelites 613 rules to follow.

Fast forward to present day Judaism. Many of the laws no longer apply because they pertained to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Also there has been much interpretation of Torah law over many centuries. The One we follow had many an argument with the Pharisees about their interpretations.
 
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