LIFE LESSONS FROM THE EXODUS THROUGH MOSES
“THE SINAI EXPERIENCE”
EXODUS CHAPTERS 19 – 40
Israel had been in slavery within Egypt for 430 years. Through Moses, God allowed them to exit Egypt and head to the Promised Land that God had promised them. Israel witnessed miracle after miracle during the exit process including the parting of the Red Sea. They realized that God was directing their paths through the exit (exodus). Moses just received advice from his father-in-law (Jethro) on how to be a delegator of responsibilities (Chapter 18). That brings us to Exodus 19.
God had the nation of Israel camp at the base of Mt. Sinai. He was about to give Israel the instructions and guidelines of how He wanted Israel to live. His first instruction is what we call today the ‘Mosaic Covenant’. “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 will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” This Mosaic Covenant was conditional. God was promising Israel that if they followed and obeyed their God, they would be a nation that would prosper and be blessed. The nation of Israel agreed to God’s terms of the covenant as they responded “we will do everything the Lord has said”. As we know from history, Israel did not obey and follow the Lord. Thus God allowed other nations to defeat Israel and the Israelite people were scattered throughout the world.
After the agreement by Israel to obey and follow God, God proceeded to give Israel the rules and guidelines to live by through Moses. This is known today as the ‘Mosaic Law’. There are over 600 instructions given by God to Israel in the Mosaic Law. Here are the 7 categories of the Mosaic Law.
Not to worship idols
Not to curse God
To establish courts of justice
Not to commit murder
Not to commit adultery or sexual immorality
Not to steal
Not to eat flesh torn from a living animal
Within the Mosaic Law, God gave instructions on how to build and assemble the moveable
Tabernacle. Many details were given on the purpose of every item placed within the Tabernacle. Instructions of how to worship were also included within the Mosaic Law. Once the Tabernacle was constructed, the Lord covered the tent with a cloud and the Glory of the Lord (the Lord’s presence) was within the Tabernacle. Israel was not to travel from the current location until the cloud removed itself from the Tabernacle. Once the cloud returned to the Tabernacle, Israel remained at that location until the cloud (presence of the Lord) lifted itself. Israel was under the direct guidance and walk with the Lord during the trip to the Promised Land.
The Mosaic Covenant was centered around God’s giving His divine law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In understanding the different covenants in the Bible and their relationship with one another, it is important to understand that the Mosaic Covenant differs from the Abrahamic Covenant and later biblical covenants because it is conditional in that the blessings that God promises are directly related to Israel’s obedience to the Mosaic Law. If Israel is obedient, then God will bless them, but if they disobey, then God will punish them. The blessings and curses that are associated with this conditional covenant are found in detail in Deuteronomy 28.
PERSONAL INSIGHT, REFLECTIONS, & APPLICATION
Within the Mosaic Law, God graciously provided Israel with laws and provisions for sin that would allow them to live as His chosen people. The whole covenant was God’s way of ensuring that He would have fellowship with them and live among them.
Because of continuous sin, God scattered His people throughout other nations but He did not deviate from His plan of redemption for His people. The Mosaic Law and its provisions for covering sin, were all a picture of Jesus’s death on the cross so that His blood would cover the sins of the world forever (once for all). God’s plan was to expand His group of people outside of the nation of Israel and to the Gentile people (non Jews). God’s provision of salvation is no longer limited to the nation of Israel but to everyone in the world. Jesus’ shedding of blood on the cross was the payment of sin of all of mankind (Jew and Gentile alike). This gift by grace was give because God loves all of His human creatures. The gift of salvation is for everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts His death as their payment of sin to our Heavenly Father. What a tremendous gift.
Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your substitute for payment of your sin? If not, you can do so today. If you are a believer, have you thanked God lately for His provision of salvation through the blood of Jesus lately? Sometimes I take it for granted. Let us all Praise God for loving us so much for His provision of salvation to us. As He did for Israel, He has provided us with instructions for transforming ourselves to His image. He has also promised us to guide and provide for us through our daily walk with Him. What wonderful promise!
Someday, Israel will repent as a nation and be reunited with God along with the Gentiles who have also believed. What a day that will be. We should all be looking forward to that day.
Thanks for reading.
Blessings from Carlton Ringer