“While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman.” v1
People often argue over minor disagreement, leaving the real issue untouched. Such was the case when Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses. They represented the priest and the prophets, the two most powerful groups next to Moses. The real issue was their growing jealousy of Moses’ position and influence. Since they could not find fault with the way Moses was leading the people, they chose to criticize his wife. Rather than face the problem squarely by dealing with their envy and pride, they chose to create a diversion from the real issue. When you are in a disagreement, stop and ask yourself if you are arguing over the real issue or if you have introduced a smoke screen by attacking someone’s character. If you are unjustly criticized, remember that your critics may be afraid to face the real problem. Don’t take this type of criticism personally. Ask God to help you identify the real issue and deal with it.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle.” v34
The Tabernacle was God’s home on earth. He filled it with his glory – the overpowering sense of his presence. Almost 500 years later, Solomon built the Temple, which replaced the Tabernacle as the central place for worship. God also filled the Temple with his glory. But when Israel turned from God, his glory and presence departed from the Temple, and it was destroyed by invading armies. The Temple was rebuilt in 515 B.C. Gods glory returned in even greater splendor nearly five centuries later when Jesus Christ, God’s Son, entered it and taught. When Jesus was crucified, God’s glory again left the Temple. However, God no longer needed a physical building after Jesus rose the dead. God’s temple now is his church, the body of believers.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain,they gathered around Aaron. ‘Come on,’ they said, ‘make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.’” v1
Idols again! Even though Israel had seen the invisible God in Action, they still wanted the familiar gods they could see and shape into whatever image they desired. How much like them we are! Our great temptation is still to shape God to our liking, to make him convenient to obey or ignore. God responds in great anger when his mercy is trampled on. The gods we create blind us to the love that our loving God wants to shower on us. God cannot work in us when we elevate anyone or anything above him. What false gods in your life are preventing the true God from living in YOU?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then God gave the people all these instructions:” v1
Why were the Ten Commandments necessary for God’s new nation? At the foot of Mt. Siani, God showed his people the true function and beauty of his laws. The commandments were designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness. In them, people could see the nature of God and his plan fr how they should live. The commands and guidelines were intended to direct the community to meet the needs of each individual in a loving and responsible manner. By Jesus’ time however, most people looked at the law the wrong way. They saw it as a means to prosperity in both this world and the next. And they thought that to obey the law was the way to earn God’s protection from foreign invasion and natural disaster. Law keeping became an end in itself, not the means to fulfill God’s ultimate law of love.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.” v3-6
God had a reason for rescuing the Israelites from slavery. How he was ready to tell them what it was: Israel was to become a kingdom of priest and a holy nation where anyone could approach God freely. It didn’t take long, however, for the people to corrupt God’s plan. God then established Aaron’s descendants from the tribe of Levi as priest representing what the entire nation should have been. But with the coming of Jesus Christ, God has once again extended his plan to all believers. We are to become holy, “royal priest”. The death and resurrection of of Christ has allowed each of us to approach God freely.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.” v24-26
Moses was spending so much time and energy hearing the Hebrews’ complaints that he could not get to other important work. Jethro suggested that Moses delegate most of this work to others and focus his efforts on jobs only he could do. People in positions of responsibility sometimes feel they are the only ones who can do necessary tasks; bit others are capable of handling part of the load. Delegation relieved Moses’ stress and improved the quality of the government. It helped prepare them for the system of government set up in Canaan. Proper delegation can multiply your effectiveness while giving others a chance to grow.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible