Sunday School

THE LESSON BACKGROUND. Following their release from Egyptian bondage, the children of Israel eventually arrived at Rephidim where they set up camp (see Exodus 17:1). While there, they faced their first battle as a free people with the Amalekites and were victorious (see Exodus 17:8-16). While they were still camped in Rephidim, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law heard how the LORD had brought the Israelites out of Egypt so he went to visit Moses taking Moses family with him (see Exodus 18:1-5). Moses had previously sent his wife and two sons back to Jethro (see Exodus 4:20; 18:2). When Jethro arrived with Moses’ family, Moses told him everything that God had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel as well as the trials they had faced so far in their journey (see Exodus 18:6-9). As they spent time together, Jethro noticed that Moses spent most of his time judging cases brought to him by the people. Jethro offered Moses advice that would make his job easier and give the people relief from the long lines waiting to see Moses with their disputes (see Exodus 18:13-26). After Jethro departed to return home, Moses and the Israelite multitude also left Rephidim heading toward the Sinai wilderness where God would make an unconditional covenant with Israel. Exodus 19:1 which is not part of our printed text says “In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.”Our lesson begins with verse 2.