Why did God give the 10 Commandments to the Israelites?

God declared that the Israelites were his own people and that they must listen to God and obey His laws. These laws were the Ten Commandments which were given to Moses on two stone tablets, and they set out the basic principles that would govern the Israelites lives.

What is the summary of Exodus chapter 18?

Moses’s father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, hears what God has done for the Israelites. Moses has sent Zipporah and his sons Gershom and Eliezer to live with Jethro. When the Israelites are encamped at the mountain of God, Jethro brings Zipporah and her sons to see Moses.

Do not covet your neighbor’s oxen?

Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

What does do not covet your neighbor’s wife mean?

If the word covet sounds familiar, you’re thinking of the Tenth Commandment: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.” Basically this means you should be happy with your …

What is the significance of the Ten Commandments?

The Ten Commandments establish rules of worship and forbid actions such as murder, theft, and adultery. They reflect a morality common to the ancient Middle East.

When did the Israelites received the Ten Commandments?

The biblical account of the giving of the instructions and teachings of the Ten Commandments was given in the Book of Exodus, primarily between chapters 19–24, during which Sinai is mentioned by name twice, in Exodus 19:2; 24:16.

What was Jethro’s advice to Moses?

Jethro instructed Moses to “select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials…have them serve as judges for the people at all times.” (v 21-22) In other words, Jethro advised Moses to delegate.

Who was Jethro in Exodus?

Jethro, also called Reuel, or Hobab, in the Old Testament, priest of Midian of the Kenite clan, with whom Moses took refuge after he killed an Egyptian and whose daughter Moses married (Exodus 3:1). After the Exodus, Jethro visited the Hebrews encamped at the “mountain of God” and brought with him Moses’ wife and sons.

What did Moses say when he felt near contact with God?

They felt the near contact with God to be more than they could bear. Even Moses was so deeply moved that he exclaimed, “I exceedingly fear and quake” ( Hebrews 12:21 ).

What did Moses say about fear in the Bible?

Even Moses was so deeply moved that he exclaimed, “I exceedingly fear and quake” ( Hebrews 12:21 ). The people were still more afraid, and felt compelled to withdraw to a distance, beyond the sound of the terrible voice.

What did Moses Tell the Israelites in the Bible?

Eternal One (to Moses): 22 This is what I want you to tell the people of Israel: “You yourselves witnessed that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 It is essential that you not make any idols to rival Me.