Bible Study - God's Story - God Instructs His People - Exodus 20 and 24 - June 23, 2013

Bible Study – God’s Story - GOD Instructs HIS People – June 23, 2013

This is lesson four in our series entitled “GOD’S Story.”

Our scripture is Exodus 20:1-4, 7-8, 12-17; 24:4-8.

As you know, Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, which is referred to as the Pentateuch. In our scripture for this lesson, Moses gave the account of GOD’S expectations for HIS people and the opportunity for them to accept or decline them. HE had chosen them to be a nation of priests, witnesses to the world and for the “line of promise” through whom the promised Messiah would come to earth. They agreed to accept. As such, GOD handed down instructions for building, having and maintaining the right relationship with HIM. Having the right relationship with HIM would, in turn, establish the right relationship with their community and their fellow man. The Israelites were to be an example to the world of having the right relationship with the One true GOD. GOD would manifest Himself through HIS chosen as proof of HIS existence, love, care, power, forgiveness and redemptive nature.

The location for this scripture was Mount Sinai. GOD had led the Israelites out of Egypt and manifested Himself to them as HE led them to this mountain. GOD had fulfilled HIS promise to Moses when HE called him to lead HIS people out of Egypt.

Exodus 3:12 - He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”

GOD spoke to Moses and, in turn, Moses told the people. GOD reminded them that HE, Yahweh, had delivered them from bondage in Egypt, guided them and cared for them. GOD issued an invitation to the Israelites to join HIM and become HIS people. GOD did not force Himself upon them; they made the choice as we will read in the following background scripture.

When we see GOD working around us that is HIS invitation for us to join HIM in HIS work. The key is that GOD is doing the work and that it is not manmade activity. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern the difference.

Background scripture – Exodus 19:3-25: (GOD issued an invitation to HIS chosen people. Revelation from GOD calls for a response. Do we accept or reject what HE reveals. It is the same today, when GOD issues an invitation to become a Christian, do we accept or reject? Or when HE calls us to obediently serve HIM, do we accept or reject? It is always about choice.)

3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob, and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. 5 Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, 6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” 7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord.

GOD issued the invitation to the Israelites and they accepted. The Israelites agreed to GOD’S invitation to become HIS people and live according to HIS instructions. GOD issues an invitation to each person today to become HIS child. Each of us has a choice to either accept or reject CHRIST as our Savior and live according to HIS teachings.

As we will read in our next scripture, GOD came to the Israelites in a physical way but with restrictions for approaching HIM because HE is Holy, righteous and pure. After the passion of CHRIST, the shed blood of CHRIST sanctified the human body of all who accept CHRIST by faith to be a Holy sanctuary for the abiding of the Holy Spirit. The shed blood of CHRIST cleanses all Christians and they can boldly come into the presence of GOD because they have been cleansed and made righteous.

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Then Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord.

GOD’S desire was to have a personal relationship with HIS chosen. HIS desire was to have a people who knew HIM and trusted HIM. HE had revealed Himself to them through HIS actions, now HE wanted to reveal Himself verbally. HE revealed Himself to them and now was the time to make HIS presence more personal and for them to be able to make the decision whether or not to accept HIM or reject HIM.

This was a critical moment in Hebrew History, the history of mankind and the world. GOD reveals Himself in the things around every human every day. HE works within the hearts and lives of every human. HIS desire is to reveal Himself and when HE does, every person has a decision to make either to accept HIM or reject HIM. You may be the only one that knows that GOD is calling you because HE works in the “eyes of your heart.”

GOD makes it very clear that people are prone to look to man-made gods that are mere wood, stone or metal and cannot speak to them. They are dumb and powerless gods. If people think they speak to them, it is a figment of their imagination. GOD asks the question, “How can those who look to these man-made false gods be so stupid?”   

We read in this scripture that GOD did not want the people to just accept Moses’ word that he was talking to GOD. HE wanted the people to hear what HE had to say to Moses regarding their obedience to HIM as HIS people.

Through CHRIST, true Christians have this personal, intimate relationship with GOD. CHRIST’S passion prepared the human body so that every person who places his/her faith in CHRIST, his/her body becomes a temple suitable to be the sanctuary for the Holy Spirit. Thus all Christians can have a personal, intimate, dynamic relationship with GOD through CHRIST through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Some Christians may reserve the control of their lives for fear or concern that GOD may ask them to do something that they do not want to do. From a human point it may seem impossible to do.   

The Israelites at first agreed to meet GOD and as such, they needed to prepare to meet HIM. GOD gave Moses specific instructions for the people to follow. They had to understand the rules because GOD is Holy, righteous and pure. As we know, CHRIST had not come to earth and shed HIS blood to pay the penalty for sin. GOD had to place certain restrictions for Israelites to come into HIS presence. How exciting it is to know that Christians can enter the very throne room of GOD and call HIM Daddy. That is exactly the intimate relationship GOD wants with HIS children.

As we read our next scripture, why do you think the people changed their minds about getting close to GOD?  

10 And the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain will be put to death. 13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows. No animal or man will live. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.” 14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.” 16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp shuddered.

On the third day after the crucifixion of CHRIST, GOD raised HIM from the dead as the first fruits from the dead. This is confirmation from GOD and proof that JESUS paid the sin debt in full and conquered eternal death.

I think this scripture is a foreshadow of the resurrection of CHRIST on the morning of the third day. CHRIST would come to earth as 100% human, yet 100% divine for the people to see HIM, fellowship with HIM and have a relationship with HIM. JESUS told HIS disciples that when they see HIM, they have seen the Father. CHRIST would establish a new covenant of grace and mercy. Grace is unmerited favor and mercy is not getting what one deserves. There were restrictions in the Old Testament but the day was coming when those who placed their faith in CHRIST would have a personal, intimate, loving relationship with GOD.

Let’s continue to read Exodus 19:17-25:

17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. 21 The Lord directed Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise many of them will die. 22 Even the priests who come near the Lord must purify themselves or the Lord will break out in anger against them.” 23 But Moses responded to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since You warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consider it holy.” 24 And the Lord replied to him, “Go down and come back with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break out in anger against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

GOD is GOD and HE is pure, holy, righteous and sovereign. CHRIST came down to earth and lived a perfect life, fulfilling the law, both in letter and Spirit. Therefore, HE was the perfect sacrifice to pay, in full, the debt for sin and to open the way for a personal, intimate, eternal relationship with GOD.

Were the people afraid? Or had they not obeyed the instructions to prepare to meet GOD? Or did their restraint indicate that they reverenced GOD? Or were they intimidated?

One day we will all stand face to face with GOD. Are you ready? If not, ask CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life. When you do, you will receive CHRIST as your Savior, receive eternal life and the miracle of rebirth in your spirit. Your citizenship will be in heaven and all the rights and privileges as the child of GOD will be yours. Guess what? It is all free for the asking and accepting.

Intro to the lesson:

GOD gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. These were guides and are still guides for all people today but obedience to the law cannot bring salvation. They guide you to GOD and to CHRIST. There is the letter of the law and the Spirit of the law. The Spirit of the law goes to the heart and intent of every person. The Spirit of the law focuses on the motive and quickly reveals that it is impossible to keep in one’s strength and ability. How is it possible to achieve by human effort? It is impossible but whereas no human can measure up, CHRIST does. A person’s faith in HIM and HIS passion makes him/her fully acceptable to GOD. We get to GOD through CHRIST and HIS righteousness. There is no other way. Do you accept HIM or reject HIM? The choice is yours.

The Ten Commandments, “the thou shalt not” commandments or the Decalogue are called the apodictic law, which means indisputably true. The apodictic law is a statement in the second person that presents a specific behavior principle but does not set the conditions or state the consequences.

Certain denominations combine some of the commandments such as:

Verses 3-6 are combined as the first commandment - Augustinian tradition, followed by the Roman Catholics and Lutherans.

Verse 7 becomes the second commandment.

Verse 17 is divided into two commandments, becoming the ninth and tenth commandments.

In the tradition of Philo and the historian, Josephus and followed by most Protestants:

Verse 3 is the first commandment.

Verses 4-6 are the second commandment.

Verse 7 is the third commandment and continues as single commandments including verse 17 as a single commandment and the tenth commandment.

This is for your information in case you are discussing the Ten Commandments with someone, you need to know which numbering system they have been taught or are referring to.

Let’s read Exodus 20:1-4, 7-8: (Be Loyal to GOD)

The Ten Commandments

1 Then God spoke all these words:

2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

GOD wanted the Israelites to reflect back on their past lives, where they came from, how they got to where they were at the moment and GOD’S interaction with them along their journey. HE used HIS personal name, Yahweh. Yahweh defeated Pharaoh, who thought he was a god, and all the gods of Egypt. GOD is the one true, all powerful, all knowing and ever present GOD. Any other god is false, none existent and a creation of the human mind.

GOD has a personal relationship with HIS people, leads them, guides them and cares for them. But gods do not and cannot because they do not exist and are only figments of their imagination. Here is where Satan can enter into a person’s life by giving the appearance of activity to the gods in our lives. Just as man gives life to an animated cartoon, it is a cartoon. GOD’S desire is for HIS chosen to know HIM, trust HIM and build a dynamic, personal relationship with HIM. When you do, you will discover that GOD is real.

GOD revealed Himself to the Israelites. Christians and people today have the opportunity to see the entire revelation and plan of GOD to make Himself known to all people on an ever ascending scale as revealed in CHRIST as recorded in HIS Word, the Bible.

3 Do not have other gods besides Me.

GOD is not confirming the existence of other gods. HE knows the human heart and mind. HE knows that mankind can create false gods in their minds, which blocks their ability to embrace and comprehend the one true GOD Who made them. Verse 5 reveals that GOD is jealous and wants nothing to come between HIS children and HIM. Being jealous has a negative connotation but here it means that GOD is exclusive. HE is the only One and HE knows it. HE knows the hearts and minds of people, after all HE made them. HE knows that to build an intimate, loving, personal relationship with HIM there cannot be compromise. Often, people allow the accumulation of wealth to make them feel self-sufficient and they do not need GOD in their lives. Some people idolize those who have achieved success, according to the world’s standard, and they make them their god. Others choose pleasure, work, sports, and various addictions, to name a few, as their god. Evil is big business. The goal of evil is to destroy. A person’s victory, protection and care is in CHRIST.

4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands.

There is no substitute for knowing GOD intimately and personally but to know HIM means to obediently serve HIM. Revelation prompts action. GOD knows humans and HE does not want any image made of HIM. HE wants the only image a person has of HIM to be what HE reveals in his/her heart through relationship and what is revealed in HIS Word, the Bible as he/she studies. We are to worship GOD in Spirit and truth.

7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses His name.

The misuse of GOD’S name reflects the nature and attitude of the heart. GOD is love, made and cares for mankind. Mankind, in turn, should be grateful to GOD and honor and respect HIM by not misusing HIS name.  GOD is Holy, righteous, pure and sovereign.  

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: 9 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work —you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the foreigner who is within your gates. 11 For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy. x

GOD set the example for taking time out to rest and reflect. It is interesting that the Hebrew word “sabbat” means “restfulness.” It has been transliterated into English as Sabbath. The Sabbath day was primarily for rest and not an exclusive day of worship.

“Remember” the Sabbath Day, carries the idea of continuous action and emphasizes its importance. To keep it “holy” carries the idea of setting it aside or sanctify the day. When it is set aside for the LORD, it adds a moral and purity connotation because it is associated with GOD.

These first four commandments relate to GOD. They establish HIS existence as the one true GOD of both heaven and earth. HE is our creator and everything around us and above us. HE established a plan to redeem all of mankind from sure eternal destruction by allowing HIS only Son, CHRIST to leave HIS glory in heaven and come to earth and live as a human. CHRIST lived as a human and was tempted in all ways that humans are tempted, yet without sin.

Let’s read Exodus 20:12-17: (Be Respectful of Others. These last six commandments focus on family, the preciousness of life, marriage, property and reputation. )

12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Honor means to “to give weight to.” As we saw in a recent study, the parents are to teach their children. As children grow, they need to put into practice what they have been taught. Today, we have to consider that some parents do not train their children. They leave the training to others and we know that can be problematic. Unity of family leads to stability in life, which in general leads to a longer life.

13 Do not murder.

Murder is taking the life of another but it can include killing someone’s reputation or hating them.

14 Do not commit adultery.

This includes not only the physical act of sex between a person or persons who are married to another person but also lusting after a person.

15 Do not steal.

Taking something that does not belong to you. We know that stealing is robbing, burglary or shoplifting but we often do not relate it to such things as taking pencils from work. Even goofing off at work steals productive time from a person’s employer.

16 Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Gossip heads this list. Distorting the facts surrounding a matter or situation to cast a questionable light on a person is included.

17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Covet is a heavy word. It means to “desire greatly” and implies desiring something to the extent that a person is motivated to take action to obtain the thing desired. The word “house” is an all encompassing word which includes anything that belongs to ones neighbor.

Let’s read Exodus 24:4-8: (Be Committed to Obedience.)

The Covenant Ceremony

1 Then He said to Moses, “Go up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s elders, and bow in worship at a distance. 2 Moses alone is to approach the Lord, but the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him.” 3 Moses came and told the people all the commands of the Lord and all the ordinances. Then all the people responded with a single voice, “We will do everything that the Lord has commanded.”

Moses told the people all the commands and ordinances of the LORD. GOD’S Word is HIS bond. Moses recorded all that GOD told them, thus we have the written Word.

The Israelites were at a pivotal point in their journey with GOD. Would they continue with their relationship with GOD by agreeing to HIS commands and ordinances or reject HIM. GOD brings them to a point of decision. HE takes on that responsibility because every person will be judged and only GOD knows a person’s heart. All the Israelites agreed to serve GOD. Now the covenant had to be ratified between the Israelites and GOD. This leads us to our next scripture.

4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early the next morning and set up an altar and 12 pillars for the 12 tribes of Israel at the base of the mountain. 5 Then he sent out young Israelite men, and they offered •burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls as • fellowship offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half the blood and set it in basins; the other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 He then took the covenant scroll and read it aloud to the people. They responded, “We will do and obey everything that the Lord has commanded.” 8 Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you concerning all these words.”

GOD gave the Ten Commandments in Chapter 20 and additional laws in Chapters 21-23 and this scripture records the ratification of the covenant by the Israelites.

Without the shedding of blood there cannot be forgiveness for sin but the most important is the attitude of the heart. The shedding of blood shows that a life was given. To ratify the covenant with GOD and the Israelites it cost the life of an animal by shedding its blood. Half of the blood was sprinkled on the altar, which represented GOD’S provisions and the other half sprinkled on the Israelites, which was their commitment to GOD and what HE had outlined. The shed blood of the animal symbolized the ratification of the covenant. The shed blood of CHRIST established the new covenant of salvation by HIS shed blood and faith in HIM. By establishing this new covenant, it cost CHRIST HIS life. A person’s faith in HIM ratifies the covenant between him/her and GOD. Thus, the Spiritual rebirth and GOD granting grace and mercy to all who have faith in CHRIST was instituted. Born-again Christians can be as close to GOD as they want to get. It is up to us. Do you want to remain at the foot of the mountain or climb the mountain and dwell in the presence of GOD, through your relationship with CHRIST?

The Book of Hebrews gives an excellent overview comparing the old covenant with the new covenant instituted by CHRIST, THE MESSIAH.

Let’s read Hebrews 9:

New Covenant Ministry

11 But the • Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands ( that is, not of this creation), 12 He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal •redemption . 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God? 15 Therefore, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in force while the one who made it is living. 18 That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. 19 For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you. 21 In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood. 22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For the Messiah did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that He might now appear in the presence of God for us. 25 He did not do this to offer Himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. 26 Otherwise, He would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once —and after this, judgment— 28 so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

GOD made HIS expectations clear to the Israelites. Today, HE makes it clear that to be HIS chosen, a person must accept CHRIST as his/her Savior. The Ten Commandments are just as relevant today as the day GOD revealed them but keep in mind, obeying them will not save you. They are like warning signs as we drive along the road of life. Yes, Christians are forgiven for their past, present and future sins, so why are the Ten Commandments relevant?

Christians are in a Spiritual battle every day. We need to keep in mind that the Spirit of the Ten Commandments is just as important as obeying the letter of them. The Ten Commandments are often a wake-up call when Christians have Spiritual drift. When they realize they have gone or are going astray, they need to stop and confess. They need a Spiritual check-up. The Christian’s part is to confess, repent and GOD’S part is to forgive, cleanse and restore. Un-confessed sin is a barrier to fellowship with GOD and obedient service. It is amazing to journey with GOD. It is your choice whether or not you will walk with HIM. Blessings!!!