Jethro's Wisdom Helps Moses

By Mary Vee
Exodus 18:12-27

If Jethro kept a journal, he might have written...


The song of the birds woke me this morning.  My stomach was still full from last night's feast with Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel. I offered sacrifices to the great God of Israel, then we all sat and talked late into the evening.  

My soul felt a special warmth and encouragement as I listened to their stories from the terrible times in Egypt to God's rescue and direction in the wilderness.  Aaron couldn't stay seated as he told about the battle against the Amalekites. We burst out laughing when he acted out Moses' arms sagging then him rolling a rock for Moses to sit. He wiped fake sweat from his brow before continuing his drama.  

Even Moses wiped tears of laughter then said, "I guess I looked pretty silly. Thanks be to God for giving us the victory that day."


He always knew how to bring every situation back to giving glory to God.  The elders showed their respect for him by nodding in agreement. 


This morning I have been invited to the Israelite camp.  I can't wait to see the people.  Zipporah  and my grandsons are excited to join them as well. 


By the time we arrived, Moses had a long line of people waiting to speak with him.  Zipporah took the boys to meet with friends and quickly bumped into Miriam, Moses' sister. Miriam pulled them over to a group of women their age where the boys also found playmates.


While waiting for Moses I joined a group of the elders where I heard more of their stories about Egypt.  I watched Moses judging the people all day long.  He looked exhausted. How could he get anything done when he judges the people all day?


When the sun set, Moses made the people leave.  He joined me by the fire and warmed his hands.  He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. I handed him him his dinner. He seemed to tired to eat.  "Moses, what is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone with all the people standing before you from morning until evening?"


He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Because the people come to me to find what God wants in this or that situation. When they have a difficulty, they come to me and I judge between one and another. I tell them the law's and rules God has made."


Didn't he realize he would make himself sick doing this every day? I had to help. "Moses, what you are doing isn't good. Both you and the Israelites will wear yourselves out. It's too much for you." 

I waited until he had strength from his supper. "You are not able to judge all these people by yourself.  Now, listen to my counsel and God will be with you: Go to God for the people as you have done to learn what God wants you to teach them. Stand before the Israelites and instruct them about God's laws and rules and show them the way they must walk and the work they need to do."


Moses nodded. "I am doing this."


"Yes. But now you must select able men who fear God, men of truth to be rulers over thousands, rulers over hundreds, fifties, and tens. And let them judge the people at all times. When a big problem comes their way, they will bring it to you; but every small problem they themselves will judge. In this way the burden will be shared with you."


He sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Jethro, your wisdom is a comfort to me.  I will do as you say."


The next morning Moses turned the people away. He called a group men together and chose rulers then taught them what to do.  At dinner time he laughed and told stories as he had before. That was when I knew I could leave my daughter Zipporah and my grandsons with him. 

The next morning I gathered my things to return home and kissed my family. "God be with you. I love you all."


Moses hugged me. "Thank you for your wisdom, for bringing Zipporah and the boys. I'll miss you."


So I left for home, sad but joyful.


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1. Why was Moses so tired?
2. What did Jethro tell Moses to do?
3. Why do you think God had Jethro teach Moses this lesson instead of telling Moses Himself?
4. Did Moses do what Jethro said?
5. How would this lesson help you?

The Powerful Amalekites

By Mary Vee
Exodus 17:8-13


Today's story is told from Aaron's (Moses' brother) point of view.

Keeping track of a younger brother can be difficult at times.  God asked me to help Moses speak to Pharaoh back when we lived in Egypt, and now I help Moses by telling our people, the children of Israel, what God wants us to do. 

I get tired watching Moses. He gets up early every morning to spend time alone with God, I'm not sure when he's up, but it's before the donkeys bray.  When I stepped outside my tent this morning, I noticed guards speaking with him.  I thought there might be a problem. Maybe he needed my help. "Moses, what's going on?"

"Amalek's army is near. The spies report Amalek is prepared for battle. I've sent for Joshua."


I knew I shouldn't have slept in this morning. 

Joshua arrived a few minutes later. Moses pointed to the other side of the valley, "Amalek has an army prepared for battle. Choose some men for battle. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of that hill over there with the rod of God in my hand."


Throughout the day the whole camp chattered about the up coming battle.  We all knew Joshua was the best choice to lead our army, but Amalek's army had tall, mighty warriors. Would we win or would the Amalikites force us to be slaves?


No one slept in the next morning. Joshua marched the army toward the valley while Hur and I walked with Moses to the top of a hill overlooking the valley. We watched for a few minutes as the armies came together.  Our soldiers looked like boys fighting giants. I honestly didn't know what would happen.


Moses gripped his rod and pounded it on the ground. "Our men are falling to those Amelikites already. We need God's help."  He raised his rod into the air like he did the day the Red Sea waters parted.  We looked back at the armies and saw the Amelikites draw back a little.  Our soldiers ran forward and attacked with power.


After a while, Moses's arms grew tired. "God is with us in this battle." He lowered his rod and set it in his lap.  Hur rubbed Moses's shoulders and laughed.  "The Amelikites will never win this battle.  God is fighting for us. Maybe you should rest."  

Moses and I nodded to each other. "God blessed our army."  We scanned the battlefield again expecting to see Joshua and our soldiers winning.  But they weren't.  Moses quickly pushed the rod of God in the air.  "Look, our soldiers are winning! I need to keep the rod of God raised." 

Every time Moses' arms sagged the Joshua and our army lost ground.  I found a rock nearby and rolled it near Moses. "Here, sit down.  That should help."


Moses plopped down on the rock. "My arms are sore, Aaron." Sweat poured down his forehead and his eyes showed his pain.


I ran to his side. "Hur, stand on that side and hold up his arm. I'll stand on this side." We hurried to support Moses' arms and stayed beside him, holding up his arms the entire day. When the sun set, the battle was over. The Amalikites lost..


We climbed down the hill to join the army back at camp.  Our families kindled fires and brought out instruments to celebrate.  I watched the people sing and dance in praise to God and realized what God did for us today. Who are we but a small nation with an untrained army?  Yet God used our soldiers, His chosen prophet, and a rod raised in the air to win a battle. 

We would not have won without God.


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  1.  Who attacked the Israelites?
  2.  Who did Moses ask to lead the soldiers?
  3.  Where did Moses go to watch the battle? Who went with him?
  4.  What did God want Moses to do to help the Israelites win?
  5.  Could Moses do this by himself?  If not, who helped?

Crabby, Ungrateful People

By Mary Vee
Exodus 16:1-10

Today's story tells Moses' side of the story:

As leader of the Israelite people, I must admit the people's grumblings and rumors about all their problems bothered me.  God has done so much for us, why can't they be content?

Sure, life in the desert isn't easy. And I understand living in one place while serving Egyptian masters might seem easier than packing a tent and trekking to the next place God chose for us to camp; but we're free.  God freed us from our bondage! 

We have no official army. Egyptian slaves couldn't have an army.  And that's all we've been for the last 400 years. We aren't prepared to march into a city and conquer it.  The Lord knows. 

I'm convinced God has a plan for us. He'll provide everything we need and give us time to organize into a solid people. We need to be patient.

I'm thankful for my brother, Aaron, who listens and shares ideas with me. I've talked with him so many times. Big brothers are helpful in that way.

One day the grumblings grew extra loud.  The people gathered together and stormed to my tent.  They all shouted at once and raised their fists toward me.  "Moses! We would have been better off being killed by the Lord in Egypt.  At least we had meat in our pots and bread in our stomachs.  You led us to the desert to kill us with famine."

I couldn't get a word in edgewise.  When they finshed yelling, they stormed back to their tents. My heart pounded.  I'm not sure if I was angry at them for disrespecting God or hurt that they didn't appreciate what God did for them.  Aaron put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a big brother smile. 

I walked a ways from the camp to talk with God.  He let me tell Him what the people said, even though He already knew. 

He paitiently waited for me to finish talking then said, "It's okay, Moses. I will rain bread from heaven for you." I closed my eyes and pictured bread raining from the sky and smiled. God has great ideas and sometimes His solutions make me laugh. He then said, "The people will go out and gather a certain amount.  It will be a test to see if they are ready to obey my instructions.  On the sixth day the people are to gather twice the amount."

He also told me there would be meat in the evening. The instructions didn't seeem difficult to obey.

I returned to the camp and told Aaron what the Lord said, then we gathered the people.  Aaron told them the message; but I made sure the people knew that although God would send bread and meat their complaint was against the Lord and not us. 

When Aaron finished telling the people God's instructions, I said, "Tell them to come near before the Lord, for He has heard their complaints."  

Everyong looked toward the wilderness and gasped at the sight.  The glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.

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Have you complained about something then suddenly realized Dad, Mom, teacher, or someone else was listening?  The Israelites probably had that same queezy feeling in their stomachs.  They probably thought only Moses heard them yelling.
When we complain, God hears.  God wants us to trust Him and ask Him for help, not complain.

1.  What was the children of Israel's complaint?
2.  What did Moses do?
3.  What did God want the people to do?
4.  Who did God give to Moses as a helper?
5.  Why did the people gasp?

Following God

Exodus 15: 22-27

God gave me the position of leadership over the children of Israel. My name is Moses.



I had no idea I would go before Pharaoh with messages from God, raise my staff to bring on God's plagues to the Egyptians, and lead our nation's escape.

Yet, here I walk through the desert sands of the Wilderness of Shur.  I don't know where we're going, exactly.  My job is to lead the people where God wants us to go. 

Are you wondering how I know which way to lead?  God's presence is in a large cloud above us. When He lets us rest, the cloud stops moving. When He wants us to move forward, the cloud lifts in the direction He wants us to go.

We've traveled for three days since leaving the Red Sea.  A lot has happened.  During the first and second days the people often looked back to see if the Egyptians sent another army.  They jumped when unusual sounds came from behind them. 

We drank most of the water by the end of the second day. No one knew we would travel through the desert for a long time. We expected to find pools or streams of water along the way. When no water was found by the end of the second day, we rationed our drinks. The people grew thirsty.

On the third day we came to Marah.  Before I could say a word the Israelites flocked to the water and gulped.  It was a bad idea. We needed to have someone test it first.  Sure enough, the Israelites spit out the water and screamed about the bitter tase. "What do you expect us to drink, Moses? This water is bad!"

I fetl sorry for them; afterall, I was thirsty too.  My toungue stuck to the roof of my mouth like mortar on bricks. I stepped away from the people and cried out to God.  "Lord, what should we do? We're thirsty."

At the end of my prayer, I opened my eys and noticed a particular tree.  Several men help me throw the tree into the water. We waited a few moments then tasted the water.  I must admit, it was delicious.  I stepped aside to let the people get their fill of drink before satisfying my thirst.

The adults sat on the shores of the water and rested while the children splashed and the animals cooled themselves in the water.

That night the Israelites sang praises to God around campfires. They remembered the Red Sea, and now the waters of Marah.  While they sang and told stories, I walked to a quiet place to talk with the Lord.

I sat on a sandy hill overlooking the people waiting for God to meet with me.  He said, "Tell My people: If you heed my voice and do what is right in my sight by keeping my commandments, I will keep all of the diseases which the Egyptians suffered from happening to you. For I am the Lord who heals you."

I told the Israelites His message and showed them the cloud moving.  We continued walking until we reached Elim. There we found twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees.  A perfect place to camp for a while.

Following God isn't easy. But I know He will take care of us.

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1.  What wilderness did God lead the Israelites to?
2.  What did the people need?
3.  Where did they find it?  Was it good?
4.  What did God tell Moses to do to fix the water?
5.  God allowed the water at Marah to be bitter because He wanted to see if the people would   
      ask Him for help.  Did they?
6.  What can we learn from this story?

The Voice in the Burning Bush

By Mary Vee
Exodus 3:5-14

A bush was on fire--in the middle of the desert, with nothing else burning around it.  I couldn't help myself, I had to see what caused the fire. 

I'd left the flock resting by the brook, back around the bend, to look for more pastureland. They'd sleep for a while which would free me to walk a little ways.  The heat from the fire warmed my face. 

There weren't signs of anyone camping nearby.  No pots, piles of bramble for kindling, or waste.  Why did the bush burn?

As I took another step forward a voice called to me.  "Moses. Moses!"

Honestly, I didn't know what to say other than, "Here I am."  My feet froze in the scorching sand.

Once again, I checked to see who could have called.  I saw no one. The voice must have come from the burning bush.  I took another step forward.  "Moses, don't walk near to this bush.  Where you are standing is holy ground."  Without thinking, my body jumped back two steps. 

Who spoke to me?  I squinted to get a clearer view of the inside of the bush.  "Moses, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob."  My heart pounded blood into my head.  I could barely breath.  God, Himself spoke to me! I was afraid I would die.  I needed to hide but there was nowhere in the open desert to go.

I wrapped my arm around my head and sank to my knees. "Moses, I've seen the terrible things happening to My people who are in Egypt, and have heard theri cries.  Each day the taskmasters bring pain and sorrow to them.  I've come to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring My people to a land flowing with milk and honey."

This was great news.  The people would be set free!  I kept my head low and listened.  "Moses, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I've seen their sorrows which the Egyptian cause.  I will send you to Pharaoh to bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

Me?  God wanted me to go back to Egypt and to speak to Pharaoh.  I can't do this.  I-- "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 

I scrinched lower to the ground.  How could I?  I don't have power, or the ability to convince Pharaoh to let all those people go.  Why me? 

"Moses, I will be with you. Trust me.  I will be with you.  Here is how you will know that I've sent you: when you bring My people out of Egypt you will serve me on this mountain."

I felt weak.  "If and when I go to the children of Israel and tell them 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say 'What is His name?' What should I say to them?"

I didn't have to wait a second for the answer.  "I AM who I AM. You will say to the children of Israel, 'I AM' has sent me to you."

*****
What do you think Moses was feeling?
Why did he go to the burning bush?
What did God want Moses to do?

Murder and Escape

By Mary Vee

Exodus 2:11-14

I had a bad morning. Plain and simple.  The cooks made Grandfather's favorite meal, you know him as Pharaoh. It looked like charred mud-pies.  I couldn't find my left sandal for the longest time. I didn't finish work from yesterday which means I have to do it today--on my day off.  I wish I had--

"Where're you going, Moses? I thought we were going to--"

"I don't feel like it."

"Bad mood? I know how to cheer you up."

"I don't know." Moses turned toward the steps. "Anyway, you're suppose to be in Pharaoh training class."

"Somedays I hate all the work involved in becoming a Pharaoh.  Classes, meetings, blah, blah blah.  Don't get me wrong, Moses, you're part of the family too, but he doesn't watch every step you take and expect you to be perfect."

I sighed. "Yeah, but someday you'll be Pharaoh. What will I be?"

"My assistant.  I--I'll make you in charge of something--whatever you want.  Come on, Moses. Let's have some fun."

"I can't. Not now.  I need to think."

I leapt down the stairs, two at a time.  He doesn't understand.  How can he?  I'm a Hebrew living in a palace.  He's Pharaoh's successor.


I sneaked passed a guard and headed for one of the sites where Hebrew slaves worked.  I remember Pharaoh ordering yet another building to be constructed on the east side of the city.  In the distance, taskmasters shouted, "Move faster. Pharaoh wants this building finished soon." Their whips cracked. I've heard it all before.  Pharaoh said the Hebrews needed the projects to keep them busy.

Not too long ago Mother told me how I came to live in the palace.  "You belong to the house of Pharaoh.  You are my son, Moses," she said. "I found you in a basket in the river.  I knew the gods had sent you to me." She always treated me like my brother. But deep inside I knew I was different.  I was a Hebrew.

I crept closer to the work area.  A taskmaster raised his whip. "You lazy Hebrew, get to work. Don't pretend you're ill."  The whip sliced through the old man's back.  He cried out in agony.

The old man glanced my way.  He eyes drooped.  He winced while picking up another brick.  The whip slapped his back again and again.  The old man fell to the ground.  I'd never noticed the pain, the difficult work, the cruel taskmasters hurting these people.  No--they are my people.  I am Hebrew, too.

I stepped forward and looked around.  The other taskmasters and slaves moved around the corner. Again I looked around me and saw no one.  The soldier glanced my way and laughed.  "Look at this slave, Moses. He isn't worthy to touch a brick." He swung his whip around his head and smacked the old man again.

Blood pounded in my head. How could he beat this man?  I lunged at the taskmaster and killed him.  No one seemed to notice, yet.  Before anyone returned I dug a grave in the sand and buried him.  My hands trembled.  I couldn't decide if I had done something good or something bad.

The dinner tasted terrible and the evening music sounded like cats screeching.  I went to bed early, everything would be new in the morning--right?  After a few nightmares, the sun rose.  I couldn't help but think about the Hebrew slaves, did they suffer, were they hungry?

I finished my morning duties then sneaked to the Hebrew work camp.  Two Hebrew men separated from the other slaves and began to fight.  How could they punch and scream at each other like that?  They're Hebrews. "Hey, why are you fighting?"

One glared at me.  "Who made you a prince and judge over us?  Are you going to kill us like you killed the Egyptian?"

How did they know?  What am I going to do?  What if Pharaoh finds out?  How can I escape?

********

Moses didn't grow up in a Hebrew family.  He only knew Egyptian rules and customs.  No one taught him God's ways. He knew the Hebrews worked as slaves and the taskmasters were cruel.  Why did he become angry when the taskmaster hurt the old man?  Why did he think he would be in trouble with Pharaoh?  How will Moses escape?

Pharaoh's Daughter Finds A Baby

By Mary Vee
Exodus 2:5

Pharaoh's daughter stepped away from the window overlooking the river.  "The water looks cool and refreshing.  I think I'll go down and take a bath."

Her maidens gathered her things. "Yes, my Lady."

The moment she stepped outside, a balmy breeze swept across her face.  "The air is sweet this morning.  Must be the flowers." Pharaoh's daughter ran down the path toward the river.

Her maids worked to keep up without dropping anything. "My Lady!"

"I'm not waiting for you." Pharaoh's daughter pushed aside bulrushes overgrowing the path.  The ground squished beneath her feet as she approached the shore.  She slipped her toes into the water.  "Mmmmmm the water is delicious."

Her maids pressed a few bulrushes back.  "My Lady, the danger you risk.  Let us help you."

Pharaoh's daughter turned to walk between the reeds.  "Danger--what would you know of danger?  I'm perfectly safe."  She swooshed her hand across a few reeds and smiled.  "You see? The sun sparkles on the water, the reeds play their song, and the birds sing.  How could danger be--what's that?"

She tipped her head to the side and stared.  "Is that an ark caught in the reeds over there? Go and get it for me."

Two maids waded through the reeds toward the ark.  They pushed it through the water toward their mistress. She stepped closer and shook her head.  "How did it get there?"  

The maids shrugged. "It must have floated down from the slave's quarter."

As Pharaoh's daughter lifted the cover a baby cried.  "Oh, look! It's a baby, a Hebrew baby."

The maids crowded closer.  Pharaoh's daughter lifted the baby from the ark and stroke his face. "He must be hungry." She held him closer. "Shhhh, little one. You're safe. You will be my son." 

The bulrushes rustled behind her.  Pharaoh's daughter turned and saw a Hebrew girl on the shore.  The girl pressed her hands near her mouth. "Would you like me to call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women to feed him for you?"

Pharaoh's daughter looked down at the baby resting in her arms and smiled.  "Don't worry, little one."  She turned back to the girl.  "Yes."

The Hebrew girl ran along the shore before disappearing amongst the plants.  Pharaoh's daughter played with the baby and laughed.  "I shall call you Moses because I drew you from the water."

Baby Moses squealed and blew bubbles.

A while later the Hebrew girl returned with a Hebrew mother.  "I have done what you asked, my Lady."

Pharaoh's daughter stepped out of the river.  "Take this child and nurse him for me. I will pay you. When he can eat on his own, return him to me."

The Hebrew woman bowed and took the baby in her arms.  "I will care for him, my Lady."

"His name is Moses."

The Hebrew woman bowed again. "I will call him Moses, as you wish."

Pharaoh's daughter watched the Hebrew woman leave with her new son.  She stepped back into the river and splashed her maids.  "I have a son who's name is Moses!"

*************

God caused the little ark holding Moses to get tangled in the reeds right where Pharaoh's daughter would bathe that day.  No guard or soldier found the ark.  Pharaoh and his servants didn't find the ark.  God made sure that the one who would find Moses would take care of him.

Who did the Hebrew girl get to feed baby Moses?
Why did Pharaoh's daughter protect the Hebrew baby?
Who was the Hebrew girl?