Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1-24:18
Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26
Matthew 5:38-42; 15:1-20
Acts 23:1-11
Hebrews 9:15-22; 10:28-39
Moses continued into the darkness, heading toward the top of the mountain. Though Moses had spent many a night before tending sheep in the darkness of cloud-covered nights, he had never felt darkness like this. It was not a darkness that frightened him, but rather seemed to beckon to him, beckon for him to continue walking. With a suddenness that startled him, it was light. It was not that he went from darkness into the light; but rather, there was dark, and then light seemed to shine from everywhere as if a presence had joined him.
Just as the darkness was not like he had ever felt, the light had a similar, even more surreal feel. Standing in the light, his mind seemed to become perfectly clear. The thoughts that had been running through his head of his disappointment with the people fled in a moment. He felt a peace even greater than that which he remembered feeling when he had stood before the Pharaoh.
Moses then felt words being spoken to him. It was not as if he was hearing the words as much as he was feeling them form inside of him. Inside, he felt as if a hand was writing each letter inside his chest.
As the words began, Moses was amazed that he could hear the words, feel the words, comprehend the words, and, at the same time, think through his own thoughts about the words. He even considered that there was not a reason for him to be concerned about remembering what was being said to him. He felt that he knew he would be able to recall each word and sentence in perfect order till the day he died.
The words began with how to treat slaves. Moses immediately wrapped his thoughts around the idea that there would be a time that the Hebrews may interact with other peoples, even bringing them into their employment. We surely do not want to treat others the way we were treated in Egypt! We must learn to treat others as we desire to be treated!
His thoughts and the words coming into his soul were simultaneous. As the words came, each one implanted wisdom into his being. One stuck out more than the others. "Do not follow the crowd when it does what is wrong." His thoughts shifted to the people he had left at the base of the mountain. He thought of his brother, Aaron, and wondered if he would be able to lead the people, or if he would end up being lead by them into their own desires. Aaron has always been a better follower than he is a leader.
Just then, the words ended, and he received instructions to bring the leaders up onto the mountain.
Moses descended the mountain and called the leaders and the people to its base. He gave to them the words that had been given to him. The response of the people was that they would do; they would obey. Moses chuckled a bit and felt a sort of pride that the people had answered that way. They are saying they will obey even before they understand the life that is being asked of them to live. I hope they will be able to live up to their commitment.
After setting a boundary for the people at the base of the mountain, he then led the elders up and into the darkness. As before, they suddenly went from darkness to light. Before them, they saw a banquet table set before them. As they sat to eat and drink, their thoughts were surprisingly not about the food. They could see an image clearly at the head of the table, veiled, but radiating a peace and love that penetrated into each person. They knew instantly and without introduction that they were eating and drinking in the presence of the One who had delivered them from bondage and slavery.
Moses was then called to go higher onto the mountain. He was told he would receive the instructions on tablets of stone. He stood from the table and turned toward the top of the mountain. He took his first step, stopped, and turned back. He looked to each of the leaders, ending with Aaron. As he looked into his brother's eyes, he said, "Do not follow the crowd when it does what is wrong." He then turned back and continued his walk.
PRINT VERSION 
We are having an incredible time in Israel. Time is not something I have an abundance of though. I managed to put together a short video to give you an idea of what our days are like.
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