November 1st, 2024
by Marti Johnston
by Marti Johnston
Exodus 19:1-25
On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to 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. Although the whole earth is mine, you[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain[b] trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.[c]
The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”
Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”
So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to 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. Although the whole earth is mine, you[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain[b] trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.[c]
The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”
Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”
So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Exactly two months after leaving Egypt the Israelites arrived at the wilderness of Sinai. They set up camp at the base of Mount Sinai. Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. God told Moses to announce to the people "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from all the peoples on earth: for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests my holy nation." Moses went down the mountain and told the people what God had said, and they all agreed. So back up the mountain Moses goes with their reply. The Lord then told Moses I will come to you in a thick cloud so the people of Israel can hear me when I speak to you. Then they will always trust you. The Lord told Moses to have the people consecrated and have them wash their clothes. Be sure they are ready on the third day because on that day, the Lord will come down as all the people watch. He also told him to place a boundary around the mountain that the people must not cross. They could not go up the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who did would be put to death. So, Moses went back down the mountain and consecrated the people. On the third day lightening flashed, thunder roared, and a dense cloud came down the mountain. Moses led the people to the mountain to meet with God. All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord descended on it in the form of fire. The whole mountain shook violently. As the blade of the ram's horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God thundered his reply. The Lord came to the top of Mount Sinai and called to Moses to come to the top of the mountain. Go back down the Lord said and warn the people to not break through the boundaries to see the Lord or they will die. Moses protested, you already warned us. But the Lord said Go back down and bring Aaron back up with you and do not let priests or people break through to approach the Lord or he will break out and destroy them. So Moses went down and told the people what the Lord said.
Whew! Moses got his step count in over those days! How many times was he up and down that mountain? Can you imagine what the Israelites saw and experienced in the presence of God. I personally love thunderstorms because they show to me the power of God on display. This sight had to be something beyond compare. Then you add the fire and smoke and the mountain trembling. Wow! For me though, it reminds me that I don't always acknowledge the power and the reverence that God deserves. Sure, he is my Abba, Father, the One who I can talk to anytime. Yet, He is God. The Lord God Almighty. The One who created the world. The One who is worthy of my adoration and praise. The One who keeps everything in motion. The One who is just and demands payment for my sins. Yet sent Jesus to suffer and die unmercifully for me so that I might have a relationship with Him and a home in eternity with Him forever.
Posted in Women\'s Ministry
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