Day 36. Reading Exodus 19 – 21. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Exodus 19.

After the exodus from Egypt and the Red Sea Crossing, Israel moved in stages across the desert for about three months, learning lessons about their God’s care for them and coming together as a “nation.” Finally, they arrived at Sinai and camped in front of the mountain.

(This was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3:12. “I will be with you, and this shall be a sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”)

It’s good that Moses (at 80) is in good shape, for now begins a series of climbs up and down Mt Sinai to meet with the LORD. 

First thing: a contract between God and the people must be ratified. “IF you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine, and you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

“All that the LORD has spoken, we will do,” they answered. Okay, cool.

Then, God told Moses to instruct the people on a few things. 

• They were to clean and consecrate themselves.
• They were to stay away from the mountain and not even touch its edge. (or die). 
• When a ram’s horn sounded long and loud, they were to come to the mountain’s edge and wait.

Moses and the people obeyed. On the third day, smoke wrapped Mt. Sinai when the LORD descended on it in FIRE. The earth quaked, and a great smoke plum rose up like from a kiln. God’s voice thundered to Moses.  “Tell the people to keep back again!  NO LOOKEY-LOOS!  Then, get Aaron and come up to me on the mountain.“

Exodus 20.

On the mountain of Sinai, God gave His TEN COMMANDMENTS. (As a “preamble” to the “constitution” of Israel.)

• NO other gods come BEFORE ME.
• NO carving images of anything, and NO bowing down or serving anything but the LORD.
• NO profaning the Name of the LORD your God.
• REMEMBER what I said about the SABBATH Day. Rest, NOT work.
• HONOR your parents.
• NO murder.
• NO adultery.
• NO stealing.
• NO lying about anyone in court.
• NO coveting anything that anyone else has.

The people heard the rumbling thunder of God’s voice, felt the earth’s violent shaking, and saw the billowing fire and smoke.  They stood far off and pleaded with Moses to intercede for them. 

“Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, and that you do not sin.”

Exodus 21.

God then gave Moses some other laws to honor Him in worship and for righteous/fair treatment of others.

• How to build and use altars for worship that will please God.
• How to treat slaves and when to release them (REMEMBER, YOU were slaves!)
• How to deal with those who hurt others by striking or cursing them.
• What to do if violence causes a woman to miscarry or abort a baby.
• Reinstating the Noahic law of “equal retribution for equal offense.” (eye for an eye, but no more)
• Restitution if one of your animals hurts someone or what you do causes harm to another.

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(More tomorrow on liability, social justice, holidays (holy days), and that “carrot” in front of them: the conquest of the Promised Land.)