Beginning of the End
Jethro’s Wise Advice
As Jethro remained in the camp, he soon saw what heavy burdens rested on Moses. Not only were the general interests and duties of the people referred to him, but the controversies that arose among them as well. He said, “I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” But Jethro protested, saying, “This thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.” He counseled Moses to appoint proper persons as rulers of thousands, others as rulers of hundreds, and others of tens. These were to judge in all minor matters, while the most difficult and important cases should still be brought to Moses. This counsel was accepted, and it not only brought relief to Moses, but it also brought better order among the people. BOE 145.2
The fact that he had been chosen to instruct others did not lead Moses to think that he himself needed no instruction. The chosen leader of Israel listened gladly to the suggestions of the godly priest of Midian, and adopted his plan. BOE 145.3
The people continued their journey from Rephidim, following the movement of the cloudy pillar. Their route had led across barren plains, over steep slopes, and through rocky gorges. Now Mount Sinai lifted its massive front before them in solemn majesty. The cloudy pillar rested on its summit, and the people spread their tents on the plain beneath. This was to be their home for nearly a year. At night the pillar of fire assured them of divine protection, and while they were deep in sleep, the bread of heaven fell gently on the camp. BOE 145.4
Here Israel was to receive the most wonderful revelation ever made by God to humanity. The Lord had gathered His people here so that He might impress them with the sacredness of His requirements by declaring His holy law with His own voice. They were to go through radical changes, because the degrading influences of slavery and idolatry had left their mark on the people’s habits and character. God was working to lift them to a higher moral level by giving them a knowledge of Himself. BOE 145.5
1974
BOE
Beginning of the End
[{"para_id":"1974.17","title":"Foreword","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0003_eng_m_foreword_1974_17.mp3#duration=121&size=1083520"},{"para_id":"1974.24","title":"Why Was Sin Permitted?","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0004_eng_m_why_was_sin_permitted_1974_24.mp3#duration=884&size=7189478"},{"para_id":"1974.61","title":"Creation: God\u2019s Answer to Evolution","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0009_eng_m_creation_god_s_answer_to_evolution_1974_61.mp3#duration=689&size=5628954"},{"para_id":"1974.95","title":"The Predicament of Our First Parents","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0013_eng_m_the_predicament_of_our_first_parents_1974_95.mp3#duration=1075&size=8718811"},{"para_id":"1974.152","title":"The Plan of Redemption Is Unveiled","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0018_eng_m_the_plan_of_redemption_is_unveiled_1974_152.mp3#duration=742&size=6050545"},{"para_id":"1974.187","title":"The First Murderer and His Victim","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0022_eng_m_the_first_murderer_and_his_victim_1974_187.mp3#duration=663&size=5418703"},{"para_id":"1974.220","title":"Seth: When Men Turned to God","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0025_eng_m_seth_when_men_turned_to_god_1974_220.mp3#duration=894&size=7269757"},{"para_id":"1974.262","title":"When the World Was Destroyed by Water","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0029_eng_m_when_the_world_was_destroyed_by_water_1974_262.mp3#duration=1158&size=9379686"},{"para_id":"1974.317","title":"After the Flood, a New Beginning","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0036_eng_m_after_the_flood_a_new_beginning_1974_317.mp3#duration=409&size=3383853"},{"para_id":"1974.338","title":"The Beginning of the Literal Week","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0038_eng_m_the_beginning_of_the_literal_week_1974_338.mp3#duration=460&size=3794870"},{"para_id":"1974.359","title":"When Languages Were Changed","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0040_eng_m_when_languages_were_changed_1974_359.mp3#duration=538&size=4415404"},{"para_id":"1974.387","title":"Abraham, the Father of All Believers","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0043_eng_m_abraham_the_father_of_all_believers_1974_387.mp3#duration=587&size=4808438"},{"para_id":"1974.419","title":"Abraham, a Good Neighbor in Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0047_eng_m_abraham_a_good_neighbor_in_canaan_1974_419.mp3#duration=1163&size=9421415"},{"para_id":"1974.478","title":"The Offering of Isaac: Test of Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0053_eng_m_the_offering_of_isaac_test_of_faith_1974_478.mp3#duration=1080&size=8758630"},{"para_id":"1974.536","title":"The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0061_eng_m_the_sin_of_sodom_and_gomorrah_1974_536.mp3#duration=1125&size=9112411"},{"para_id":"1974.588","title":"Isaac\u2019s Marriage: The Happiest in the Bible","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0066_eng_m_isaac_s_marriage_the_happiest_in_the_bible_1974_588.mp3#duration=670&size=5473035"},{"para_id":"1974.625","title":"Jacob and Esau","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0069_eng_m_jacob_and_esau_1974_625.mp3#duration=607&size=4975278"},{"para_id":"1974.659","title":"Jacob\u2019s Flight and Exile","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0073_eng_m_jacob_s_flight_and_exile_1974_659.mp3#duration=931&size=7565238"},{"para_id":"1974.706","title":"Jacob\u2019s Terrible Night of Wrestling","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0077_eng_m_jacob_s_terrible_night_of_wrestling_1974_706.mp3#duration=663&size=5418950"},{"para_id":"1974.743","title":"Jacob Comes Home","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0082_eng_m_jacob_comes_home_1974_743.mp3#duration=838&size=6822931"},{"para_id":"1974.789","title":"The Amazing Story of Joseph","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0085_eng_m_the_amazing_story_of_joseph_1974_789.mp3#duration=899&size=7311584"},{"para_id":"1974.837","title":"Joseph and His Brothers","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0090_eng_m_joseph_and_his_brothers_1974_837.mp3#duration=1844&size=14872806"},{"para_id":"1974.937","title":"Moses, the Leader of God\u2019s People","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0100_eng_m_moses_the_leader_of_god_s_people_1974_937.mp3#duration=1311&size=10602018"},{"para_id":"1974.1007","title":"The Ten Plagues of Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0107_eng_m_the_ten_plagues_of_egypt_1974_1007.mp3#duration=1418&size=11463045"},{"para_id":"1974.1086","title":"The First Passover","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0115_eng_m_the_first_passover_1974_1086.mp3#duration=487&size=4010356"},{"para_id":"1974.1110","title":"The Israelites Leave Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0118_eng_m_the_israelites_leave_egypt_1974_1110.mp3#duration=617&size=5054467"},{"para_id":"1974.1145","title":"Israel Meets With Difficulties","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0122_eng_m_israel_meets_with_difficulties_1974_1145.mp3#duration=1040&size=8439768"},{"para_id":"1974.1198","title":"God Gives His Law on Mount Sinai","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0128_eng_m_god_gives_his_law_on_mount_sinai_1974_1198.mp3#duration=1123&size=9103576"},{"para_id":"1974.1266","title":"Israel Worships a Golden Calf","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0133_eng_m_israel_worships_a_golden_calf_1974_1266.mp3#duration=1352&size=10932348"},{"para_id":"1974.1337","title":"Satan\u2019s Hatred of God\u2019s Law","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0142_eng_m_satan_s_hatred_of_god_s_law_1974_1337.mp3#duration=934&size=7591687"},{"para_id":"1974.1385","title":"The Sanctuary: God\u2019s Dwelling Place in Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0146_eng_m_the_sanctuary_god_s_dwelling_place_in_israel_1974_1385.mp3#duration=1390&size=11235083"},{"para_id":"1974.1451","title":"The Sin of Nadab and Abihu","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0153_eng_m_the_sin_of_nadab_and_abihu_1974_1451.mp3#duration=336&size=2802890"},{"para_id":"1974.1466","title":"The Grace of Christ and the New Covenant","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0155_eng_m_the_grace_of_christ_and_the_new_covenant_1974_1466.mp3#duration=980&size=7958243"},{"para_id":"1974.1514","title":"The Terrible Grumblings of God\u2019s People","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0160_eng_m_the_terrible_grumblings_of_god_s_people_1974_1514.mp3#duration=895&size=7276914"},{"para_id":"1974.1563","title":"Twelve Spies Survey Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0164_eng_m_twelve_spies_survey_canaan_1974_1563.mp3#duration=719&size=5870059"},{"para_id":"1974.1603","title":"Korah Leads a Rebellion","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0168_eng_m_korah_leads_a_rebellion_1974_1603.mp3#duration=915&size=7435716"},{"para_id":"1974.1658","title":"Forty Years of Wandering in the Wilderness","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0173_eng_m_forty_years_of_wandering_in_the_wilderness_1974_1658.mp3#duration=360&size=2993490"},{"para_id":"1974.1679","title":"Moses Fails on the Border of Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0175_eng_m_moses_fails_on_the_border_of_canaan_1974_1679.mp3#duration=665&size=5434926"},{"para_id":"1974.1712","title":"Why the Long Journey Around Edom?","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0178_eng_m_why_the_long_journey_around_edom_1974_1712.mp3#duration=1042&size=8450373"},{"para_id":"1974.1767","title":"The Conquest of Bashan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0184_eng_m_the_conquest_of_bashan_1974_1767.mp3#duration=481&size=3964854"},{"para_id":"1974.1792","title":"Balaam Tries to Curse Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0188_eng_m_balaam_tries_to_curse_israel_1974_1792.mp3#duration=1186&size=9603298"},{"para_id":"1974.1864","title":"How Balaam Led Israel into Sin","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0195_eng_m_how_balaam_led_israel_into_sin_1974_1864.mp3#duration=816&size=6642451"},{"para_id":"1974.1905","title":"God Teaches His Law to a New Generation","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0200_eng_m_god_teaches_his_law_to_a_new_generation_1974_1905.mp3#duration=631&size=5166916"},{"para_id":"1974.1936","title":"The Death of Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0202_eng_m_the_death_of_moses_1974_1936.mp3#duration=906&size=7367858"},{"para_id":"1974.1980","title":"Crossing the Jordan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0206_eng_m_crossing_the_jordan_1974_1980.mp3#duration=492&size=4048860"},{"para_id":"1974.2006","title":"The Miraculous Fall of Jericho","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0208_eng_m_the_miraculous_fall_of_jericho_1974_2006.mp3#duration=1015&size=8239147"},{"para_id":"1974.2059","title":"The Blessings and the Curses","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0214_eng_m_the_blessings_and_the_curses_1974_2059.mp3#duration=325&size=2718617"},{"para_id":"1974.2079","title":"A Canaanite Tribe Deceives Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0216_eng_m_a_canaanite_tribe_deceives_israel_1974_2079.mp3#duration=500&size=4111410"},{"para_id":"1974.2106","title":"Home at Last","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0219_eng_m_home_at_last_1974_2106.mp3#duration=1063&size=8619253"},{"para_id":"1974.2165","title":"The Last Words of Joshua","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0225_eng_m_the_last_words_of_joshua_1974_2165.mp3#duration=367&size=3048745"},{"para_id":"1974.2187","title":"The Blessing of Tithes and Offerings","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0227_eng_m_the_blessing_of_tithes_and_offerings_1974_2187.mp3#duration=330&size=2754779"},{"para_id":"1974.2205","title":"God\u2019s Care for the Poor","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0229_eng_m_god_s_care_for_the_poor_1974_2205.mp3#duration=620&size=5075417"},{"para_id":"1974.2242","title":"Annual Feasts of Rejoicing","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0233_eng_m_annual_feasts_of_rejoicing_1974_2242.mp3#duration=444&size=3664549"},{"para_id":"1974.2273","title":"The Judges, Deliverers of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0235_eng_m_the_judges_deliverers_of_israel_1974_2273.mp3#duration=1355&size=10957796"},{"para_id":"1974.2347","title":"Samson, the Strongest Yet Weakest Man","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0243_eng_m_samson_the_strongest_yet_weakest_man_1974_2347.mp3#duration=914&size=7430714"},{"para_id":"1974.2402","title":"God Calls the Child Samuel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0250_eng_m_god_calls_the_child_samuel_1974_2402.mp3#duration=496&size=4087162"},{"para_id":"1974.2429","title":"Eli and His Wicked Sons","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0253_eng_m_eli_and_his_wicked_sons_1974_2429.mp3#duration=498&size=4095783"},{"para_id":"1974.2452","title":"Punishment: The Ark Taken","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0256_eng_m_punishment_the_ark_taken_1974_2452.mp3#duration=1115&size=9038321"},{"para_id":"1974.2516","title":"The Schools of the Prophets","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0263_eng_m_the_schools_of_the_prophets_1974_2516.mp3#duration=708&size=5778374"},{"para_id":"1974.2552","title":"Saul, the First King of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0266_eng_m_saul_the_first_king_of_israel_1974_2552.mp3#duration=1146&size=9285605"},{"para_id":"1974.2612","title":"Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0271_eng_m_saul_makes_a_terrible_mistake_1974_2612.mp3#duration=824&size=6709110"},{"para_id":"1974.2656","title":"Saul Rejected as King","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0278_eng_m_saul_rejected_as_king_1974_2656.mp3#duration=852&size=6935376"},{"para_id":"1974.2700","title":"David Anointed as King","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0283_eng_m_david_anointed_as_king_1974_2700.mp3#duration=379&size=3146601"},{"para_id":"1974.2719","title":"David Kills Goliath","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0285_eng_m_david_kills_goliath_1974_2719.mp3#duration=562&size=4610644"},{"para_id":"1974.2752","title":"David Flees","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0289_eng_m_david_flees_1974_2752.mp3#duration=1019&size=8267489"},{"para_id":"1974.2809","title":"The Noble Spirit of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0296_eng_m_the_noble_spirit_of_david_1974_2809.mp3#duration=1152&size=9331102"},{"para_id":"1974.2871","title":"Saul Takes His Own Life","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0303_eng_m_saul_takes_his_own_life_1974_2871.mp3#duration=585&size=4792618"},{"para_id":"1974.2903","title":"Ancient and Modern Spiritualism","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0305_eng_m_ancient_and_modern_spiritualism_1974_2903.mp3#duration=520&size=4274468"},{"para_id":"1974.2927","title":"David\u2019s Heavy Trial","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0307_eng_m_david_s_heavy_trial_1974_2927.mp3#duration=609&size=4988218"},{"para_id":"1974.2962","title":"David Crowned King at Last","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0312_eng_m_david_crowned_king_at_last_1974_2962.mp3#duration=456&size=3764237"},{"para_id":"1974.2987","title":"The Prosperous Reign of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0314_eng_m_the_prosperous_reign_of_david_1974_2987.mp3#duration=1092&size=8854729"},{"para_id":"1974.3050","title":"David\u2019s Sin of Adultery and His Repentance","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0320_eng_m_david_s_sin_of_adultery_and_his_repentance_1974_3050.mp3#duration=915&size=7439398"},{"para_id":"1974.3100","title":"The Rebellion of Absalom, David\u2019s Son","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0325_eng_m_the_rebellion_of_absalom_david_s_son_1974_3100.mp3#duration=1670&size=13474687"},{"para_id":"1974.3188","title":"A Man After God\u2019s Own Heart","mp3":"\/mp3\/1974\/0336_eng_m_a_man_after_god_s_own_heart_1974_3188.mp3#duration=803&size=6541668"}]