Exodus 17-18; Psalm 12; Matt 23 

Exodus 17: What is notable about the battle with the Amalekites?

Exodus 18: Who was Jethro and why did he come to see Moses? What did Jethro suggest that Moses do to handle the disputes between the Israelites?

Matthew 23: How would the sons of the forefathers measure up to them? What did Jesus predict the Jews would do to the people he would send to them?

Journal Prompt: Consider Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees and the Sadducees with his compassion for the children of Jerusalem (v. 37-38)?

Answers:

Exodus 17: As long as Moses’ staff was raised, the Israelites were winning.  Joshua supported his arms and the Israelites were victorious.

Exodus 18: Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law (father of Zipporah) – he came to bring Zipporah and their children to Moses (he had apparently left them in Jethro’s care). Jethro suggested that Moses assign capable ‘judges’ to help make judgments among the Israelites because it was too much work for Moses.

Matthew 23: The sons had not demonstrated any acceptance of Jesus or the gospel up to that time. They would measure up to the sins of their fathers who in the past had killed the prophets. They too would do the same to Jesus and future servants.