You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover, you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you.
Spending time in nature
For the outside activity this Sabbath, try to spend time with your family judges; if you have extended family near you, see if you can meet for a picnic. Visit about any family traditions or trades that have been passed down. These can be as simple as the way you cook a simple dish. If it is just your family today, and you’re at home, try to find a new place. If you are traveling, see if you can find a local favorite. For Moses, he was a foreigner in a foreign land. Gorshin’s name refers to when Moses was in Midian, but we know in Genesis 15:13 God told Abram his descendants would live as strangers in a land that was not their own. As you explore a new place, try to notice new sounds or a perspective you don’t ordinarily see. We live by a mountain range that we get to see every day, Sabbath we traveled over the mountains to the other side and found the same mountains were smoother and populated with younger trees. Even familiar places can be made new if you start from a different starting point or you take a new route. Use this Sabbath to be a new explorer in a new land.
Tip
Don’t be afraid to get a little lost, sometimes the best gems are hidden, try getting a little lost and finding your way back home with your cell phone.
Do Something Creative
For the creative activity build a scale. If you already have a couple of scales you can just find different objects around the house that weigh the same. If you want to make a simple scale you can take a clothes line hanger and tie three equal length string on each side of the clothes hanger. Make three wholes in the cups (about 120 degrees from each other), thread, and secure the string to the leveled cup. When the scale is empty the two sides are perfectly balanced, this is how it will be in heaven, without the presents of sin our hearts will be obedient to the law at all times. Our desires will be God’s desires so the scales will be equal. During the reading Moses took on the entire tribes so his side of scale was very heavy. Once he separated the duties among other judges he lightened his load and it was distributed among many other wise men.
What you will need:
- A clothes hanger with notches to keep the strings stationary
- String or yarn
- A single-hole punch
- Two identical paper cups (Try to avoid wax bottom cups)
- A pair of scissors
- Measuring tape
- Masking or packing tape
Family worship idea
For family worship, read through Exodus 18 and put together a family puzzle. Moses had an important role in Israel’s deliverance, but he was just one part of their leadership. God uses each of us to create the body of the church. Jesus is enough to take our load, but our greatest gift is being able to work alongside Him while He moves in our communities. Visit about why Jethro told Moses what he was doing was not good and, if he continued him, and the people of Israel would be worn away. Talk about our roles in the church as well as in our community. Discuss what the puzzle would look like if it were missing a piece. Most people would see the big picture, but most viewers would still long to see the missing piece. Though we will find peace and happiness in heaven, the fact is God would have that none would perish and all would have everlasting life. We should want everyone we know to be with us in heaven.
Personal thoughts
While Jesus was on Earth, He lived as a foreigner in a foreign land but was sustained because of His constant connection with God. Moses and the Israelites were at Mount Sinai (verse 5), and God was their ruler; later in Samuel’s time, they want an earthly king, but at that moment, everything was as it was meant to be. They were not ready for the army that surrounded Elisha, but they needed to work on their unbelief. It’s reassuring that God meets us where we are. In Exodus 18, the judges, who don’t make laws but interpret them, are established. Once they are put in place, they enjoy a great feast. I can’t wait until the day when we go to Heaven, and the offering and sacrifices have been made, so we sit with the elders to eat bread. Just as Moses judged every person, Jesus is in the tabernacle opening the books for each person by himself; one day after the feast, we will be like judges.
Hiding His word in your ❤
Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
Jacob 4:11
More detailed Craft instructions
How to Make the Scale
- Measure two pieces of string two feet long and cut.
- Make holes to attach the string to the cups. Make a mark one inch below the rim on the outside of each cup.
- Have your child use the single-hole punch to make holes in each cup. Punch a hole on either side of the cup, along the 1-inch mark.
- Attach the hanger to the wall, using a cup hook, doorknob or a level bar for hanging clothes or towels.
- Tie the string to each side of the cup and let it sit in the notch of the hanger. The string should support the cup like the handle of a bucket.
- Repeat this process with the second cup.
- Ask your child to steady the hanger to make sure the cups are hanging at the same level. If they are not; adjust the string until they are even.
- When they look even: use a piece of tape to secure the string in the hanger’s notches.
Sabbath Catalyst 