Modern Legal Interpretation of God's Actions in the Book of Exodus Term Paper

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Legal interpretation and influence of God's interactions

With his people in the book of Exodus

As Moses led the children of Israel across the desert into the Promised Land, he had earned the position of leader, and head law giver for the entire nation. Moses had stood before pharaoh, and with God's help, delivered millions of people from slavery into freedom. Now, as they left Sinai with a list of commandments, as well as traditions and customs, handed down to them from god himself, the children if Israel faced a long transformation. They had to build a new collective identity. The Israelites needed to become a people with a sense of self-governance, after spending 400 years in Egypt as slaves during which their every move was dictated for them.

The transformation required an entirely new mindset, and the process would not be easy. (Lewin, 1951) Rather than looking for an authority over them to direct their actions, choices, and establish their personal purpose, they were saddled with the task of developing these identities, and an organizational culture all their own. The process was bound to create turmoil in the camp, and as their leader Moses faced one of the most subtle yet powerful personal transitions which would affect the next 40 years of his leadership career.

Moses, the lawgiver, judge and leader had to become Moses, the delegator, administrator, and leader. Sometimes when God appears to his people, he does so from a fiery mountain. Sometimes he comes in the power of plagues. Yet, at other times, God deals with his people in the form of wise counsel and guidance from a trusted friend. In this case of Moses and Israel's cultural transformation, God choose to use the latter method. The story is recorded in Exodus 18. Moses had finished giving the law to the people, and was engaged in training them to follow the law, while still maintaining his position as spiritual leader of the country. As disputes arose from his congregation, Moses chose to be the sole arbiter for every civil, religious, and legal dispute.

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Jethro, his father in law heard of the nations exodus from Egypt, and came to celebrate with Moses, and on the morning which he planned to leave, Jethro stood back to watch his son in law, as he mediated the needs of the people.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14 and when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15 and Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: 16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17 and Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee,.....

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