Exodus 21 introduces some laws regarding everyday life for the Israelites, so that they would understand that their actions had consequences. Judges were given the "eye for an eye" guideline so that punishments would fit the crimes.

Exodus 20 is the giving of the ten commandments to Moses. The commandments came from the God "who rescued you from slavery in Egypt" and his first command was to worship only Him. These ten commands were meant to be practical guidelines for His people to live in holiness for others to witness. As they lived this way, others could witness the nature of God.

Exodus 19 takes place at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites were camping after leaving Egypt. God said to Moses, "tell the people of Israel: 'you yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession... you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' " The people responded to Moses all together, "We will do everything the Lord has said" ( Yeah right, we've heard that before!). Moses told the Lord what the people had said and He then gave Moses instructions as to how the people should consecrate themselves and keep their distance from the mountain, as God came to meet with them. On the third day, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, causing all the people to tremble. Moses then lead the people to the foot of the mountain to meet with God, as He had instructed Moses. God had met with Moses on the mountain "so that the people will hear Me speaking with you and will always trust in you." I wonder if the Israelites understood that God had chosen them in love and mercy, not because of their obedience, to represent and teach the nations how to live according to His ways and about the hope for salvation by God's grace.

In Exodus 18, Moses is visited by his father-in-law, Jethro, who advises him to share his heavy load of serving as judge before the people. Moses listened to Jethro and accepted his suggestions, selecting capable trustworthy men who fear God, who would serve as judges for the people , and would bring only the difficult issues to Moses. Moses also taught the people the decrees and laws, showing them the way to live, so that they would not always need to bring their disputes to the judges.

In Exodus 17, the Israelites complained again to Moses. They grumbled about the lack of water and Moses responded, "Why do you put the Lord to the test?". The Lord told Moses to take his staff and strike the rocks and water came out for the people to drink. The Lord provided for them again and continued to be faithful to His people. When the Amalekites came and attacked, Moses sent Joshua with his men to fight them. Then Moses went up to the top of a hillside and held up his hands towards God, trusting in Him again for deliverance. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed and were winning the battle with the Amalekites, so Aaron and Hur held up his arms when he grew tired, so that his hands remained steady until Joshua overcame the Amalekite army. Afterwards, Moses recorded the battle account on a scroll as something to be remembered and also built an alter, calling it "The Lord is my Banner", for "hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord".

In Exodus 16, the Israelites grumbled about not having enough food, so the Lord said to Moses "I will rain down bread" . Moses reminded the people that it was God who delivered them in Egypt and that in the morning the glory of the Lord would again be seen and He would provide for their needs. God gave them instructions , testing their obedience, in regard to the gathering of food each day. They were to gather twice as much on the sixth day, since there would be none available to gather on the seventh day. Also, they were told not to keep any for the next day, except for on the sixth day. The Lord also provided meat each evening, sending quail to them each day at twilight. Some of the people wend out to gather on the seventh day, so the Lord said to Moses "How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?"

Exodus 15 starts with a song to the Lord, in which Moses and the Israelites praise Him for their deliverance and His glory which was displayed in their rescue from Pharaoh's army. Then as they traveled from the Red Sea into the desert, they did not have water for 3 days. They cried out to the Lord and He provided water for them to drink. God said to them, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." God then led them to Elim, where there was shelter and water and they camped there.