The term amoral refers to someone who has never been taught right from wrong. Based upon how people are raised, will determine their degree of innocence. Strict parents attempt to clearly distinguish moral from immoral behavior, with some becoming too legalistic. Meanwhile, a growing trend has parents treating their children like friends, overlooking discipline, trying to be liked instead of providing a moral compass for life. As a former teacher, the moment you assume all your students know the basics, you’re thrown for a loop, scratching your head at all the diverse standards people use.
In the days of Exodus 18, Israel was amoral, not able to ascertain right from wrong on their own. Before receiving the 10 commandments in Exodus 20, God only provided laws regarding to Himself, Exodus 15:26. Therefore, when it came to being civil to one another, opinions and values varied. As a result, Moses was the Supreme Court, the only judge in Israel working from sunrise and sunset 6 days a week, Exodus 18:13-18. As a shrew man of wisdom, Jethro knew that Moses would not be able to keep up this pace, on the fast track to burn out. Before he crashed and burned, Jethro gave Moses a vision for the first court system, elevating his own burdens by training others to oversee easy disputes, Exodus 18:19-22.
Based upon the location of this passage in relation to the 10 commandments, one might suggest God’s introduction of the last 6 commandments is directly related to Israel’s amoral state in chapter 18. Unfortunately, as states in America continue to ban court houses from publicly displaying the 10 commandments, citizens of this country appear to be just as confused as the Israelites many years ago. If schools and work places had Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-40 in plain view for everyone to see, maybe just maybe, amoral people would learn and be persuaded to treat others as they want to be treated. May God use these passages in the Bible to transform Americans from amoral citizens into law abiding and loving individuals.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 