Yes — Israel's organization came from tribal structure and a chain of command through elders and appointed leaders.
Les Feldick teaches that the Israelites were not a disorganized mob when they left Egypt. They came out with their "armies" and a working system by tribes, and Moses passed God's instructions to the nation by calling the elders of the people. The word "harnessed" in Exodus 13:18 points to an orderly movement of millions of people and livestock.
Exodus 13:18 — The verse Les highlights: Israel went up "harnessed," indicating an orderly, organized departure.
Exodus 19:7 — Shows Moses communicating God's words through the elders of the people.
Exodus 18:21 — Describes the appointed rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens who formed a chain of command.
Exodus 13:18 records that "the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt." In Exodus 18:21, Jethro advises Moses to appoint "able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness" as rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. When Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, God told Moses, "Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:3). Then Moses "called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him" (Exodus 19:7).
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that Israel did not exit Egypt as an unorganized crowd. He says that "when they came out of Egypt, they already had organization. They came out with their armies." He adds that they had "a relatively good system by tribes and so forth" and were "not just a bunch of rabble." This existing structure is what Jethro's later counsel built upon when Moses appointed rulers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Les also draws attention to the word "harnessed" in Exodus 13:18. He wonders how three to seven million people, plus all their livestock, could move from Egypt to the Red Sea in such a short time, showing that orderly organization was essential. Communication was handled through recognized leaders: Moses called for the elders of the people and laid before them all the words the Lord commanded, and then the elders referred the message to Israel. At Sinai, the camp was arranged with the twelve tribes around the tabernacle, and even those on the outer perimeter were part of an organized national camp.
Les says they came out of Egypt "with their armies" and already had "a relatively good system by tribes," so they were not a rabble. The word "harnessed" in Exodus 13:18 reinforces the orderly, deliberate character of their movement.
Moses did not need to speak to millions one by one. In Exodus 19:7 he called for the elders of the people and laid before them all the words the Lord commanded; the elders then referred those words to the children of Israel. Jethro's counsel to establish rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens provided a further chain of command.
Around the tabernacle the twelve tribes were arranged in an orderly encampment. With three to five or six million people, some on the outer perimeter were a long way from the altar, yet the camp was still structured by tribes.
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teach for one purpose, and that is to help people to understand what they read. And I think we're making some headway. I had a young man again tell me the other night, he said, my, he said, how thankful I am that you finally came on the scene, because I never understood what I read. Well, hopefully, this is what we can accomplish, is helping you to understand what the book really says.
Existing Tribal Organization and Jethro's Leadership Structure
Les explains that Israel left Egypt with an existing organization by tribes, came out "with their armies," and were not a rabble; he ties this to Jethro's advice to appoint rulers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
The Word "Harnessed" Shows Orderly Movement
Les highlights Exodus 13:18's word "harnessed" and the logistical question of how millions of people and livestock moved such a distance, showing orderly organization was required.
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Where Will Jews Flee During the Tribulation? Revelation 12
Now in Exodus chapter 19, beginning in verse 3, they are now at Sinai, and Moses is ready to go up into the mountain and talk to God, and Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Exodus 19.1 Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel. Now verse 4, God says to tell Israel, Exodus 19.
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But to understand what God's Word says is what I hopefully am attempting to do. All right, now you remember last week that Moses made his presentation to the children of Israel and had hoped to be able to deliver them. Remember that he had everything going for him.
Moses Called the Elders to Communicate God's Words
Les points to Exodus 19:7, where Moses called the elders of the people and laid out everything the Lord commanded, then the elders referred it to Israel.
Israel's Ordered Encampment at Sinai
Les describes the huge camp around the tabernacle with the twelve tribes arranged around it, showing that even on the outer perimeter the nation was organized.
Exodus 13:18: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
This verse uses the word "harnessed," which Les points to as evidence that Israel's departure was orderly and organized.
Exodus 18:21: Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Jethro's counsel shows the official chain of command that helped Moses lead and communicate with Israel.
Exodus 19:3: And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
God instructed Moses to speak to the whole house of Jacob and the children of Israel, not just to individuals.
Exodus 19:7: And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.
This shows Moses communicating God's words through the elders, who then relayed the message to the children of Israel.
Yes. Les Feldick says they came out "with their armies" and already had a system by tribes, so they were not a disorganized mob. The Bible's word "harnessed" in Exodus 13:18 also suggests orderly movement.
Moses called for the elders of the people and laid before them all the words God commanded, and the elders passed the message to the children of Israel. Additional leaders were appointed over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
Les treats it as evidence of an orderly, organized departure, not a chaotic scramble. He uses it to raise the question of how millions of people and livestock moved so efficiently.
Watch the Teaching: God vs. Satan's Magicians: Why Aaron's Rod Swallowed Theirs