Lesson Date: 5/4/2008

Defeating the Amalekites and Setting up Judges

Exodus 17:8-18:27
I. Context
Who are the main characters in this passage? What do we know about them?

Moses:

Jethro:

When does this passage take place?

We know from last week that these events are taking place at least a month after leaving Egypt (Passover) and
Chapter 19 tells us that they came to Mt. Sinai approximately three months after leaving Egypt. It is likely that the
events of this passage overlap the events of 17:1-7 from last week's lesson.

Where does this passage take place?

The ending location for last week's and this week's lesson is Sinai, so the passages appear to overlap somewhat.
For example, in last week's lesson, the Israelites had camped at Rephidim, and this week's lesson opens with the
Amalekites attack at Rephidim. There is no indication of movement in this passage, so it appears that the whole of
the lesson occurs around Rephidim.

What is going on? (Summary of Events)

When the Amalekites attack the Israelites, Moses appoints Joshua to lead the men of Israel against them while
he stands atop a hill overlooking the battle with his staff raised. Whenever his staff was raised, the Israelites were
winning, so Aaron and Hur, who were with Moses, helped Moses hold up his staff until Israel had defeated the
Amalekites. In worship, they built an altar to the Lord. (17:1-15)
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came to Moses in the desert near Sinai and brought with him Zipporah (Moses'
wife) and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. After they arrived and greeted one another, Moses spent some time
recounting the events of his travels and how the Lord had faithfully delivered him and the Israelites from the hands
of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. This affirmed Jethro's faith in the Lord and, in response, he offered up sacrifices in
worship to the Lord. (18:1-12)
Moses served as the sole judge over all the Israelites and all day long the people came to him with their
problems and conflicts. Jethro noticed what a heavy burden this was on Moses and suggested that instead of
Moses serving as the sole judge, he instead appoint worthy men over groups of the people to judge smaller issues.
Should an issue be too difficult for one of them to judge, he would then bring the issue to Moses. Moses did this
and essentially set up a system of government over the people at this time. (18:13-27)

II. Interpretation
What principles are illustrated in this passage? What would you consider the theme of this passage?

How is God involved in this passage? What do we learn of his character? How does this passage point us toward or
connect with Christ?

Why do you think that it was important to set up the judging system that Jethro suggested (other than Moses' health)?
What benefit might this have been to the people?

III. Application
Moses knew that God would grant them victory over the Amalekites. How often do we greet opposition with this level of
confidence in God's deliverance?
Jethro's words to Moses and suggestions regarding the governing of the people are a good reminder to us that we cannot
do it all ourselves. How well do you rely on others? Do you have a hard time entrusting important tasks to others? Do
you feel compelled to retain control of even the smaller things in life? How might Jethro's words apply to you in your
own daily duties?

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