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Moses related to his relative the wonderful works of God on behalf of Israel; Jethro joined in pious and grateful acknowledgment of Jehovah's infinite superiority above all the gods of the heathen, and presided at a solemn sacrifice; after which, he, together with Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel, feasted together with holy cheerfulness and thankfulness, as before God.

Moses was the divinely appointed deliverer of Israel from bondage, and it seemed perfectly natural that he should be asknowledged as the ruler or chief magistrate; and to him all cases of inquiry and contentions were brought. The causes brought before him were numerous ; and so willing was he to spend and be spent for the good of the people, that it had not occurred to him that nature could not long sustain such incessant application, and that, should he be worn down, and disabled from future service, the people would ultimately sustain a serious injury. Jethro, a prudent and discreet man, saw the danger which his kinsman had overlooked, and in a friendly manner suggested the propriety of selecting proper persons, of ability, piety, integrity, and disinterestedness, who might assist him in this business; deciding in all cases to which they were competent, and only referring to Moses those which they knew not how to determine. The suggestion was as amicably received as offered: Moses in all probability consulted the Lord on the subject, and by his appointment carried Jethro's counsel into effect with the

concurrence of the people. After some time Jethro returned home, where he, no doubt, did what he could to promote true religion, probably with considerable success.

§4. The Giving of the Law. Exod. xix. to xxxi.-Lev. throughout.-Numb. i. to vi.-viii. to x. 10. -XV. xvii. to xix.-xxvii. to xxx.

A. D. 1491.

In the third month, or on the third new moon, the Israelites came into the wilderness of Sinai. (See Map.) They had not made any very great progress in their journey: Rephidim could not be far from Horeb, for it was a rock in Horeb that was smitten for their supply while encamped at Rephidim; probably the assault of the Amalekites occasioned some delay, and there they appear to have remained until they marched towards that part of the mountain called Sinai, which is generally calculated to have been forty-six days after their quitting Egypt: probably on the next day Moses ascended the mount, and three days afterwards the law was given, that is, on the fiftieth day, in commemoration of which the feast of Pentecost was afterwards held.

When the people were encamped, Moses was called to go up into the mountain, and receive a message from God to the people. They were now to be incorporated, and brought into regular government, as a church and nation, under God himself, who would be their God, and take them into cove

nant with him; having hitherto been first a single family, and then a multitude of slaves. In the conference with Moses, Jehovah reminded the people of Israel of the signal benefits he had conferred upon them in rescuing them from the land of Egypt, and bringing them forth that they might be his people, dwelling under his protection, and devoted to his worship and service. Intimations were given of the displays of awful glory and majesty about to take place; and the strictest injunctions laid on the people to exercise holy reverence, purity, and abstraction, as preparatives for the manifestations they were now to receive. On the third day, awful thunderings and lightnings ushered in the solemnities; a cloud of thickest blackness covered the mount; angelic voices were heard; and an awful trumpet sounded, longer and louder at every blast, as announcing the presence of the Lord. Moses by the divine command led the people, trembling and astonished at what they saw and heard, to the foot of the mount. There they stationed themselves, and waited the divine communication, doubtless in great trepidation, of which even the solid earth partook; for it is said the whole mount quaked greatly. Moses, too, at this awful crisis said, "I exceedingly fear and quake." Moses was now called up to the top of the mount; but ere the divine conference opened, he was again sent to enjoin on the people the strictest reverence and circumspection; enforcing the caution by awful intimations of the destruction that awaited

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