📅 February 10: Exodus 19, 20 - God's Covenant and Law

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February 10: Exodus 19, 20 - God’s Covenant and Law

Meeting with God on Mount Sinai

Introduction

In Exodus 19 & 20, the children of Israel arrive at Mount Sinai where they are about to have a significant encounter with God - it’s here that they receive the Ten Commandments, direct divine instruction against which they are to benchmark their conduct and morality.

Exodus 19: God’s Chosen People

In this chapter, God reminds His people of His powerful deliverance and promises that if they obey His covenant, they will be His “treasured possession among all peoples” (Exodus 19:5).

Key Verse: Exodus 19:5-6

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine.”

Exodus 20: The Ten Commandments and God’s Holiness

In Exodus 20, the Children of Israel receive the Ten Commandments - a reflection of God’s holy character and a standard of righteousness.

Key Verse: Exodus 20:2-3

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”

Key Themes and Reflections

1. Unconditional Love and Conditional Covenant: God consistently shows His love toward the Israelites, His chosen people. He saved them out of Egypt but also holds them to the condition of obedience to His commandments.

2. Purity Before God’s Presence: God instructs Moses to consecrate the people before His descent on Mount Sinai, emphasizing the holiness of God and the need for purity before approaching His presence.

Today’s Application

Just as God instructed the Israelites, He calls us today to live in obedience to His laws. His main tenets are based on love for Him and our fellow men. We may not be perfect, but with His help, we can strive to live according to these principles.

Hidden Gem

In verse 19:5, to obey is the Hebrew word “shema,” which means to hear and act on what is heard. It’s more than just passive listening; it means actively applying God’s word in our lives.

Reflective Q&A

Are God’s commandments relevant to Christians today?

A: Yes, they serve as moral compasses, reminding us of God’s righteousness and pointing us towards a life of love and obedience to God.

Why did God choose Israel as His treasured possession?

A: God’s choice of Israel was out of His sovereign love and grace, not because they were the biggest or most righteous, but purely out of love.

Join the Discussion

We’d love to hear from you. How are you applying God’s commandments in your daily life?

See You Tomorrow in Exodus 21, 22

Join us again as we continue reading through the book of Exodus and God’s continuing revelations to His people.

[MAI]

Exodus 19,20
Israel came to the mount that burned with fire! The trumpet sounded long (ch. 19:13). The word is “yobel” (the word for Jubilee), and signifies a continuous note. Evidently this noise was continuous, the shorter notes of the shophar gradually became longer until the trumpeters have the yobale (jubilee) note. In Lev. 25:9, both words are used in conjunction: the “shophar of the yobale.” The excitement of the occasion, followed the tempting of Israel in the experiences they suffered on their walk from Egypt, moved through the nation. Now, they came into the presence of the Great Judge, so that Sinai is biblically the place of judgment of His people, and the purpose and mode of future judgment is set in the past. • The “third month” (ch. 19:1) corresponds approximately with our June. The record declares: • [1] Yahweh proclaims His covenant to His people: vv. 1-6. • [2] The people accept the covenant: vv. 7-9. This was probably a Thursday (See Expositor: Exodus), which was the same day when the Lord Yahshua was lifted up on Golgotha as the emblem of divine law displayed for all mankind. • [3] Moses instructed to sanctify the people: vv. 10-13. • [4] The people are sanctified: vv. 14-15. • [5] The awe-inspiring God and the trembling people: vv. 16-25. • Chapter 20 presents the law as the basis of harmony between Yahweh and Israel. • [1] God sets out Ten Commandments as the basis of His covenant: vv. 1-17. • [2] Moses stands as the Mediator and Redeemer: vv. 18-21. • [3] God is one and will be worshipped as one: vv. 22-23. • [4] The basis of approach to Him is through the altar principle: vv. 24-26. • The Ten Commandments were inscribed on both sides of two stones, representative of the two great commandments (Mat. 22:40). These stones were made and inscribed by the Angel, illustrative of the creative act in Eden; they were later smashed, as sin also affected the Edenic harmony. Moses broke the stones illustrating that Israel had voided their responsibilities as they danced before the Golden Calf in complete abandonment. It was at a very critical time, as they had gone about their activities, thinking that Moses’ return was afar off! Such an attitude, prior to the coming of Yahshua is indicated by both the apostles Paul and Peter, and remain a warning to ourselves. The first five laws were on one stone each with an explanatory addition; the last five are brief and emphatic: “Thou shalt not.” An explanation of our duty toward Yahweh is necessary, for personal experience should teach us how to act toward others. — Logos