Exodus - 47 Lesson 1 part 2 - Exod. 20:1-17 Two New Covenants

In part two we continue are introduction to the Ten Commandments - Aseret HaDevareem or the Ten Statements. God says these ten statements are His covenant as in Exod. 34:28. But, is it a contract? Is is an agreement? Is this covenant like a treaty?

The Lord gives us what He means by a covenant. It is like nothing ever seen in history then or now. The prophets of Israel are inspired by Yahvay, the Lord, to help us understand this unique and very special covenant. We realize that this is a NEW Covenant given at the mountain of God, Mt. Sinai, to His special chosen ones, Israel, who are led by Moses, the shepherd. All this seems to relate to another NEW Covenant given by the Lord - our Yeshua - at the mountain of God, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, to His chosen ones, His disciples, who are led by God's chosen one, Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The connections are too amazing. This must've been done one purpose. What is the Lord getting at? He is showing us that the 1st covenant, an integral part of God's redemption plan, needed to give birth to another New Covenant that brought completeness to His redemption plan. It was all related to the very words of God when Jesus said that all scripture testifies of Him in John 5:39.

So as we study the 1st it gives us an intimate connection to the 2nd. The 2nd finished what the 1st didn't address.

I mentioned other lessons you might consider studying. The first is Lesson 46 parts 1 &2 n this Exodus series. It sets the stage for the giving of the covenant at Sinai. Here's the link ...

Part 1 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-uhhag-1...

Part 2 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7uqgr-1...

Another series that even goes into this deeper are the podcasts entitled "The Archaeology of Pentecost/Shavuot." It is clear the Lord God is making an amazing connection between the first Passover and Pentecost and the 1st covenant and the 2nd covenant. Here's the link for this series.

Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=shavuot

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link -

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Exodus - 47 lesson 1 part 1 - Exod. 20:1-17 - the Ten Commandments

Bible study on the Ten Commandments. This is not a study to re-teach the Ten Commandments. But as we put the Bible into its historical context, as we put the Bible back into its textual context, we begin to see things in a new light. This simply enriches our understanding of the Ten Commandments.

In Part 1 of lesson 1 we will ask if there are ten commandments or are they something else? And ten? Could there be 12 or 15 or 17 commandments? What is God's purpose in all this?

It is recommended that you listen to lesson 46 parts 1 & 2 first before jumping in to the extensive study of Exod. 20:1-17. Here's the links to lesson 46 parts 1 & 2.

Part 1 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-uhhag-127e43f

Part 2 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7uqgr-1281e42

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? What's his background? Why should we take time to listen to him? Here's a link to check out his background ... - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Genesis - 69 - Gen. 28:10-22 Gospel in Torah - Jesus in Torah

In lesson 4 part 2 in the Exodus series of podcasts it is seen that the Hebrews, probably starting after Joseph died in the last chapter of Genesis, assimilated into the culture and customs of ancient Egypt.  They bought into the wrong “story.”  I said I’d link you to the lesson in the Exodus series.  It is critical that you listen to that podcast and understand the truth of the fact that the Hebrews assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  It is so critical since it helps us understand the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, even from Genesis chapter 1 verse 1.  Here’s the link - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wdzur-f82194

And one aspect of the mythology of ancient Egypt has everything to do with ladders! In the ancient Pyramid texts dated to 2500 B.C. and still used in the days of Moses in 1446 B.C. there was the idea of the pharaoh needing a ladder to get to heaven.  The ladder was provided by the gods so that the pharaoh could have a way to be with the gods in Egyptian paradise.  Shown below is a picture found in one of the temples in ancient Egypt showing the ladder concept.

So, you are a Hebrew.  You are free and not a slave any more.  You hear that Moses is writing the books of God’s instruction; God’s instruction means תורה Torah.  Torah means instruction and not law.  You’ll be one of the first to hear what he wrote.  It was perhaps understood then that Yahvay, the LORD, was somehow inspiring Moses to write these documents.  So, what would you think when you came to the story of Jacob’s dream and the ladder to the heavens?  You’d remember it from Egyptian mythology.  But this time, the one, the true God, the only God, is helping you understand it is HE who gives us the way to Himself and not the Egyptian gods or pharaoh.  It is the Lord who provides the WAY back to Himself since you probably heard the 1^st book Moses wrote.  Genesis.  In that book you heard that the way to paradise, the way back to the Father was closed.  But now, as you hear about Jacob’s dream it is as if God is trying to say there is good news, the “gospel.”  It is as if God seems to say that one day the way back will be provided by the Lord. 

The dream of Jacob is an awesome and powerful lesson.  As we put it back into its historical context it even gets more profound. Come.  Join us.  Let us return to that ancient place that Jacob named בֵּית אֵל Bayt El, Bethel, the dwelling of God. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Genesis - 68 - Gen. 28:10-22 - THE DREAM - TRUE? FALSE?

This is the 2nd lesson on this amazing event - Jacob's dream of the ladder, the way to the Father.  In lesson 68 we focus on Jacob making a deal with God.  Check it out.  Jacob says as if speaking to the Lord that if you Lord do X, and if you Lord do Y, THEN, then and only then will you be my God.  So, is that what God wants us to see?  Is that what God is teaching in His Torah which does not mean LAW but INSTRUCTION?  Can it be?  Can it be that we can cone to God have today in these days of evil and chaos and make a deal?  Can we tell God, "Hey Lord, if you give us what we want politically or socially then we will your people?"  Can we buy Him off?  Is this the way to become "saved" by telling God to do our bidding.  If He does then we will be His son or daughter.    

In this lesson we face the fact that Israel coming out of Egypt were the targeted audience of God for the Torah.  God wanted them to learn something that they'd get since they assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt.  It has to do with the ladder in Jacob's dream.  I mentioned this in this lesson.  Here's the link to the lesson in the Egyptian study series that shows the Hebrews assimilated - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wdzur-f82194

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Genesis - 67 - Gen. 28:10-22 - THE WAY HOME

Jacob camps out and has an awesome dream.  The dream is of a ladder from the earth to the dwelling of the Lord God - in Hebrew we'd say Bet El or the House of God or the Dwelling Place of God or His Abode.  There are spiritual beings going up and down the ladder.  Hmm.  Angels right?  But, the Hebrew word for angels means messengers or even those deputed by the Lord.  Deputed means to be sent out to complete a task.  Could it be that these angels are God's deputies.  Those going down the ladder are headed out to do their assigned task.  Those coming up are His deputies who have done their work and are returned to Bet El, the dwelling place of God.  Perhaps.  We'll study the Hebrew and see how this fits the conceptual meaning of the Hebrew word meaning messenger that we say are angels.

But the ladder.  What's this about?  I offer one view.  Perhaps there are others.  What does it mean?  The way to the "tree of life, the way back to Paradise, the way back to ABBA our Father is closed.  We can't go back.  Is the Lord teaching us that there is a way home for us?  Is this a prediction for the future? Jesus' own words seem to verify that He is showing Jacob the future - the coming of one who will be the way back to the Father as in John 14:6. Jesus said He is the ladder in John 1:51.  He said He will be lifted up like standard, like a sign, like a ladder in John 3:14.  As the ladder, as Jesus is lifted up as the way home He will draw all men to Him to have the chance to return to the Father through Jesus.  It again seems we have another proof that all scripture in Jesus' day, the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament, testify of the coming Messiah, the coming Savior, the one who will be set up as the only WAY back home.

In the podcast I mentioned three links I'd provide.  Link 1 - a Christian scholarly article on the concept of angels.  I recommend when you read it substitute the word angel and say MESSENGER.  Here's link #1 - 

https://www.gotquestions.org/angels-Bible.html

The 2nd link is to a Jewish scholarly article on God's MESSENGERS.  In this article you'll see how the rabbis years after Jesus' ascension started making up more fantasy about angels.  Much of their notions and the mistaken ideas of the so-called church scholars has led to our notions today of angels which is totally different than what the Bible MESSENGERS are really like.  Here's link #2 -

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/angels/

The final link is to episode 9 in the Bible study video series, "Five Small Stones."  These are five minute Bible study videos and in episode 9 we ask what does Paul mean in the two verses below.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 
(Rom 10:4)

"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. (Act 13:38-39)

Is it possible the ladder is the way God will establish so we can all return to Him?  Is the ladder perhaps another picture for the cross?  Maybe.  Here's the link to all 11 videos.  Just scroll down to find #9 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=five+small

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Exodus - 46 part 2 - Exod. 19:1-25 - THE MOUNTAINS OF GOD

Lesson 46 Part 2

It is critical that you make sure you listen to part 1 of this two part series.  In part 1 we establish the real possibility that the Hebrews arrived on the 3rd day of the 3rd month.  If this is the case then it seems as if יהוה Yahvay, the Lord, God, lead His people to His mountain to receive a new covenant at His mountain, Mt. Sinai.  Interesting - 50 days after Passover, after the first day of Unleavened Bread, the Hebrews enter a covenant relationship with the Lord.  This is an amazing event in that a new nation is born, a chosen people, and it's like a new beginning, a new start.  It reminds me of the Year of Jubilee - every 50 years it is the year of Jubilee.

The Year of the Jubilee involved a year of release from indebtedness (Leviticus 25:23-38) and all types of bondage (vv. 39-55). All prisoners and captives were set free, all slaves were released, all debts were forgiven, and all property was returned to its original owners. (Like a new start) In addition, all labor was to cease for one year, and those bound by labor contracts were released from them. One of the benefits of the Jubilee was that both the land and the people were able to rest. (Accessed at https://www.gotquestions.org/Jubilee.html July 25,2022) 

Link to Exodus Lesson 49 Part 1 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-uhhag-127e43f

In this session we will see the awesome connection this has to the feast of Shavuot (Weeks) or Pentecost in Jesus' day.  Jesus rose from the dead on a Biblical feast, the feast of first fruits, and 50 days later the 120 disciples received the Holy Spirit and these 120 as the "light to the nations" spoke in tongues of the Salvation of the Lord, the "Yeshua" of יהוה Yahvay.  It was the New Covenant of the Lord at the mountain of the Lord, Jerusalem.   Peter become so inspired, he does a short sermon in Acts 2 and as a result 3000 were baptized on the 50th day, Shavuot or Pentecost.  Did he received the promised power to be the witness to the nations?  You better believe it.  So, the number 50 even takes on even more significance.  Now it seems to be related to the days of Messiah and the coming of the רוח הקודש Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit.  

The Jubilee presents a beautiful picture of the New Testament themes of redemption and forgiveness. Christ is the Redeemer who came to set free those who are slaves and prisoners to sin (Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:1; 3:22). The debt of sin we owe to God was paid on the cross as Jesus died on our behalf (Colossians 2:13-14), and we are forgiven the debt forever. We are no longer in bondage, no longer slaves to sin, having been freed by Christ, and we can truly enter the rest God provides as we cease laboring to make ourselves acceptable to God by our own works (Hebrews 4:9-10). (Accessed at https://www.gotquestions.org/Jubilee.html July 25,2022) 

God has clearly done something on purpose.  He has connected the New Covenant at His mountain, Mt. Sinai, to the New Covenant at His mountain, Jerusalem.  The giving of the Ten Commandments is intimately connected to Pentecost or Shavuot.  

Here's a link to the podcast series on the feast of Shavuot.  In this study you'll even go deeper into your understanding of Passover and Pentecost.  Link to the podcasts series on the feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=shavuot

I taught this is a class.  Here's a link to the chapter from my class book.  If you need the bibliography email me and I will get it to you. 

Link to the article from Light of Menorah on Shavuot - https://www.dropbox.com/s/2rs9dwl481eb9s1/Chapter%204%20-%20The%20Spring%20Feasts%20-%20the%20End%20of%20the%20Beginning.pdf?dl=0

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Exodus - 46 Part 1 - Exod. 19:1-25 - 50 DAYS TO THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD

Lesson 46 Part 1

They made it.  The Hebrews led by Moses by the hand of Yahvay, the Lord, finally arrive at the Mountain of God.  Here they will receive the Ten Commandments which the Lord says is His Covenant as we read …

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel." So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (Exo 34:27-28)

Israel comes to the Mountain of God in the Sinai and there they will enter a New Covenant - nothing like this ever happened before – and become a chosen people, a holy nation, and nation of priests.  But, wait a minute, that sounds so familiar.  It reminds us of Jesus and His lifting up His cup at His Last Supper – the cup of the New Covenant.  This happens in Jerusalem. 

There’s more.  It so happens that the Mountain of God was Mt. Sinai as can be found in Exod. 3:1 and 3:12 and 19:1-3.  We got this.  No problem.  But then we see that God moves His mountain to a new location.  Just consider a few proof texts …

Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isa 2:2-3)

"I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. "Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a grain offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem," says the LORD, "just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. (Isa 66:19-20)

And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Mic 4:1-2)

He moved His mountain.  It is now the Temple Mount in Jerusalem also known as Mt. Zion.  (The term Mount Zion has been used in the Hebrew Bible first for the City of David (2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Chronicles 11:5; 1 Kings 8:1, 2 Chronicles 5:2) and later for the Temple Mount, but its meaning has shifted and it is now used as the name of ancient Jerusalem's Western Hill) And, this is where the New Covenant of God is given through Yeshua HaMashiach, Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  On top of that we read the following …

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1Pe 2:9)

Wow.  What an amazing connection between the New Covenant at the Mountain of God Mt. Sinai and the New Covenant at the Mountain of God Mt. Zion - a Biblical name for the Temple Mount.  God is connecting these covenants.  He is not replacing the latter with the former.  They are intimately related and you can not have on New Covenant without the other. 

Is there more?  You won’t believe it.  This is another awesome chapter in Torah that meets the goals of this podcast series.  Here are those goals.  (Note - you can "right click" on the picture and open the picture in a new tab to read it)

So come and join us in this study.  This is another awesome example that there is ONE book, ONE Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, ONE God, ONE Lord, with ONE goal, Jesus! 

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background ... - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Exodus - 44 - Exod 17:15 - Our God, Our Banner, Our Standard

In our day one might say our times are chaotic and evil.  Today Christians and the church are even called evil and we are accused of being the source of all that is wrong.  It’s too difficult to deal with.  It seems that evil so controls our country, our society, and that we have no power over this at all.  Nothing works.  We try and solve it via politics and legislation and the vote.  In my view the USA is on such a downward slide, it’ll never recover.   This is not very hopeful.  Without the Lord there is no hope.  

Israel coming out of Egypt faced death and disorder as God led them into the wilderness of Sinai.  The Hebrews had assimilated into the Egyptian culture slowly after Joseph died.  For the Hebrews they understood and held to the Egyptian understanding that the wilderness of Sinai was a land of death, disorder, and evil.  It was a place not conducive to good life.  They called it the land of CHAOS.  Their gods had no power over chaos.  Their king, we call Pharaoh, must be the one to maintain order, life, prosperity, truth, and goodness, called Ma’at in Egyptian.  Pharaoh had to battle against Chaos.  The gods of Egypt had no power for Chaos, no power over the wilderness of Sinai.   In Egypt they relied on a man to provide truth, justice, goodness, and order.  It's like today.  Reminds me of CLIMATE CHANGE.  Many say WE humans must solve the problem.  We must spend money and make laws to save the planet.  I don't believe there is a climate crisis.  It is simply not scientific.  This reminds me of ancient Egypt and a worldview that lifts up mankind and has turned away from the one God, the true God, the one who made it all and the one who controls and rules over nature.  

However, Yahvay, God, God alone, created the wilderness.  He fed His chosen in the wilderness of Sinai.  He gave them water from rocks in the Sinai.  And He helped the Hebrews defeat the Amalekites in the Sinai at Rephidim.  Moses as was in awe of Yahvay, the Lord, that he sets up an altar to remember the victory and he names the altar יהוה נסי - Yahvay Neesee, The Lord is My Banner. 

Today many say this phrase says JEHOVAH NEESEE.  The word Jehovah is shown to be a translation error of a Franciscan monk in the 16^th century.  Here’s a article by a renowned and proven scholar, David Biven, on this translation error.  Link –

https://shamar.org/articles/jehovah-misunderstanding.html

We ask, how did those Hebrews perhaps understand this?  Did it somehow connect to something in Egypt?  What did it say to them then? 

It is interesting to note that the Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol meaning GOD is a banner, a flag.  Check out the article about the word NETJER in ancient Egyptian and the use of the flag to write this word for GOD –

https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/terminology-netjer#:~:text=The%20Egyptian%20word%20that%20is,flagpole%2C%20often%20shown%20in%20green.

Finally, we recall Jesus’ word in John 5:39 that all scripture testifies of Him. 

“And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. "You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(Joh 5:37-40)

Is it possible this verse, Exod. 17:15, also connects to Jesus?  Of course it does.  Jesus teaches us this truth.  Come and let’s go see.

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Exodus - 45 part 1 - Exod. 18:1-12 - For God Loved the World

This lesson is split into two parts.  Here in part 1 we meet a relative of Moses, Jethro.  His name in Hebrew is pronounced יִתְרוֹ - YEE TRO. 

In this study of Exodus 18 we will concentrate on a couple of items in part 1.   First, we will study the FACT that Jethro is NOT Moses’ father-in-law.  Our Bible in English says he is and it brings up contradictions that some scholars try to explain like Moses’ father-in-law had several names – culturally and historically untrue.  They stay in the English and state that Reuel (Exodus. 2:18) and Jethro (Exodus 3:1 and 18:1) and Hobab (Jud. 4:11) are all the same guy.  Yes, Reuel is a priest of Midian and so is Jethro.  Pagan cultures had many priests not just one.  It is rational to think that Moses married into a pagan priestly family and thus one of Reuel’s daughters married another priest whose name is Jethro.  This would imply Jethro is Moses’ brother-in-law.  And, this makes sense.  But, we will study this in the Hebrew and NOT English and find the Hebrew word translated as father-in-law also is translated in the Bible as mother-in-law and also translated as marriages.  We will see that in the Hebrew the contradiction is not a contradiction at all.

Secondly,  we will see that the Hebrew Bible shows that amazing love God has for non-Hebrews.  The example in Exodus 18 is of course Jethro.  But there are others.  Remember Pharaoh’s daughter, a pagan princess who saved Moses and became is step mom.  Remember Hagar, the pagan Egyptian servant girl of Sarah’s.  The Angel of the Lord first appears to her.  Not Abraham.  Not Sarah.  But to a pagan servant.  And remember Ruth coming out of the pagan Midianite culture who turned to the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of Israel and became an ancestor of the Messiah, of Yeshua Adonaynoo, Jesus our Lord.  This chapter is a clear indication that God wants all men to be rescued from their sin and to be His people.  Check it out …

“Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Eze 33:11)

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.”

(Eze 18:32)

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isa 45:22)

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Joh 3:16)

There is no separation in the eyes of the Lord as He looks down upon mankind.  All lives matter to Him. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Exodus - 45 part 2 - Exod. 18:13-27 - JUSTICE & MOSES’ SEAT

Traveling to the Galilee region in Israel one can visit the ancient synagogue at Chorazin.  Walking through the synagogue you'll find the "Chair of Moses" or the "Moses Seat."  See the picture below.

Some say in Jesus' day that those who would read the Torah portions on the Sabbath in the synagogue sat in this chair until they were called up to read during the Shabbat service.  All historical evidence shows this to be unlikely.  Even Jesus' words reflect it may not have been a practice in His day.  When He was to read in the synagogue there is no indication that He was sitting in the "Moses Seat."  We read ...

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. (Luk 4:16-20)

Jesus was sitting and then stood up when He went to read.  No where does it say He was sitting in the "Moses Seat" or the chair of authority.  This is not absolute proof that the "Moses Seat" was not used that way in those days but this along with other clear historical evidence shows it wasn't.

The "Moses Seat" probably had everything to do with what we study in this lesson on Exodus 18 - the establishment of the judiciary in ancient Israel.  Jethro advises Moses on the set up.  Moses is the one who settles the major disputes and legal cases.  Thus, the idea of sitting in "Moses Seat."  It seems related to those who had authority to make judgments and decisions based upon the Torah.  We remember Jesus saying ...

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (Mat 23:1-3)

Jesus is saying that the Pharisees (most rabbis are Pharisees) are saying they have the authority of Moses and can make judgments and decisions based upon the Torah.  The problem is, even tough they made a ruling or a decision on a certain practice or action, it was found that some of them did not "practice what they preached."  That is exactly what Jesus is teaching us.

This is seen in the "Inter Varsity Press Bible Background Commentary: New Testament," a superb scholarly resource giving the historical and ancient cultural background on the words of the New Testament.  We find ...

Mat_23:1-2. Some scholars have pointed to a prominent seat in many synagogues as a “seat of Moses” (cf. Mat_23:6), but Jesus presumably means this expression figuratively. The Pharisaic scribes who articulated the law believed their traditions were rooted in Moses’ own teaching and fancied themselves Moses’ successors for their own generation.

This is such an important study for us.  Jethro clearly advises Moses to pick those who will serve as judges to judge partially with decisions based upon the truth and not influenced in any way either financially or otherwise.  God is setting this up through Jethro for all Israel and us as well.  Moreover, it was set up by a PAGAN, a non-Hebrew, a GOY, גוי, (plural goyim גוים‎)is a term for a gentile, a non-Jew.  Once again we see how God expresses His "love" for all mankind in the way He inspires His writers of the Hebrew Scriptures to treat a GOY, גוי, (plural goyim גוים‎) - a gentile, a non-Jew.  

Examples abound in His Word.  Here's a few.  We remember Pharaoh’s daughter, a pagan princess who saved Moses and became is step mom.  Remember Hagar, the pagan Egyptian servant girl of Sarah’s.  The Angel of the Lord first appears to her.  Not Abraham.  Not Sarah.  But to a pagan servant.  And remember Ruth coming out of the pagan Midianite culture who turned to the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of Israel and became an ancestor of the Messiah, of Yeshua Adonaynoo, Jesus our Lord.  This chapter is a clear indication that God wants all men to be rescued from their sin and to be His people.  Check it out …

“Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Eze 33:11)

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.”(Eze 18:32)

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isa 45:22)

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Joh 3:16)

There is no separation in the eyes of the Lord as He looks down upon mankind.  All lives matter to Him. 

I mentioned the podcasts regarding the feast of Shavuot or Pentecost.  This is so closely connected to these events and also in chapter 19 when the Hebrews finally make it to Sinai.  It shows conclusively the Lord's intention that all men, of any race, or any color, can have a chance to decide for Messiah Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit, and be the Lord's disciples. Here's the link to the those lessons - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=shavuot

I also mentioned I will provide the link to the article written by the Christian pastor on the southside of Chicago.  He shows that there is a purposeful ignoring of the horrible deaths by gun violence weekend after weekend on the southside.  Jethro advised Moses to pick men who would be judges and one characteristic of such a man is a hatred for dishonest gain.  This may not mean money.  It could mean "political points" to bolster their image as a mayor, governor, senator, etc.  This is what is happening in Chicago and it goes against the foundation of Western society's judicial system founded in Exod. 18.  Here's the link to the article - https://www.foxnews.com/us/highland-park-shooting-chicago-pastor-calls-justice-violence-ridden-community-south-side

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0