Eden to Eternity Vol. 1, Exodus 19-29
Come along with me as I complete The Daily Grace Co.’s Eden to Eternity study!
This chronological Bible study requires us to dive into the 66 books of God’s Word while encouraging self-reflection and application. In the following posts, I intend to discuss the content, existing themes, and perceived messages throughout the Bible so we may dwell in scripture together.
I hope that together we can approach God's word with an open heart and fall more in love with Christ, who had our eternal salvation in mind all along!
Exodus: 2/66 | Author: Moses (assumed) | Old Testament | Pentateuch/Torah | 1805-1440 B.C. (estimated)
19. Israel at Sinai
God calls Moses to the mountain in Sinai. He asks Moses to repeat His wish for the Israelites to follow His commands so that He can be their God.
"'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation'" (Exodus 19:4-6, CSB).
The people agreed. Then, God told Moses that He would approach him in the form of a "dense cloud so that the people will hear when [He] speaks and will always believe [Moses]." (19:8). God instructed the people to become clean in preparation for His presence on Mount Sinai. (This consisted of washing their clothes and bodies and remaining abstinent.).
However, there were strict guidelines to respect: no one was to touch the base of the mountain of God's presence or they must die. It was vital that no one attempt to observe the Lord or invite them into His presence.
When the day of the Lord came, the people below heard the sound of lightning, thunder, and a trumpet. In fact, "all the people in the camp shuddered" (19:16). Mount Sinai was surrounded by smoke due to the Lord's presence consuming the area with fire.
"As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder" (19:19).
God allowed Moses and Aaron to come atop the mountain but reiterated that no one else was to break this holy barrier.
20. The Ten Commandments, The People's RReaction, and Moses Receiving Additional Laws
Then, God announced His commandments in verses 3–17:
Do not have other gods besides God.
Do not make idols to worship or serve in the place of God.
"'Whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers' iniquity, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing faithful love to a thousand generationsof those who love me and keep my commands" (20:4-6).
Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, "because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses His name" (20:7).
Remember to keep the Sabbath holy and dedicate it to the Lord.
"'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" (20:11).
Honor your father and mother.
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not lie or withhold the truth from your neighbor.
Do not long for your neighbor's house or belongings.
God presented Himself through the cloud and booming lightning, which intimidated the people. They asked Moses to be a mediator out of fear of dying from exposure to God's magnitude.
God asked the Israelites to establish an altar to worship Him on earth.
21-23: Laws Explained
These chapters discuss the laws in specific areas. Slave ownership, injury, theft, farming insurance, owning property, seduction, sorcery, exploitation, godly respect, integrity, and festivals are all defined.
In Chapter 23, God announces that He will send a protective angel along with the Israelites as they continue through the wilderness. He warns them of the looming threats and temptations ahead, reminding them of the commandments that were just shared.
24. The Covenant Ceremony
Moses fashioned twelve pillars to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The men begin worshipping God by way of burnt offerings. The blood of sacrificed livestock was used to seal the covenant to be obedient to what the Lord had asked of them.
Moses went up the mountain with those who were also granted access and marveled in the presence of the Lord; "they saw the God of Israel. Beneath His feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself" was seen (24:10).
The cloud of the Lord rested over the mountain for six days, until Moses trekked up the mountain on the seventh day, where he'd remain for forty days, receiving the stone tablets of God's commandments.
"The appearance of the Lord's glory to the Israelites was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop" (24:17).
25. Offerings to Build the Tabernacle, the Ark, the Table, and the Lampstand
Anyone who could give was graciously asked to present an offering that may have consisted of various linens, building materials, or precious metals. These resources would be used so that God could reasonably dwell among His people.
Before the building commenced, the Lord provided Moses with construction plans for the Tabernacle's ark, table, and lampstand, down to the materials and precise measurements of each component. Specific is an understatement!
26-28 cover the instructions for the Tabernacle, along with the Altar of Burnt Offering and wardrobe choices for the chosen priests. These chapters flesh out the details necessary to honor the Lord.
29. Instructions about Consecration
To expand further on the tediousness of cleansing oneself to be in the presence of God, priests were given crucial directions. The process consisted of picking out premium livestock, preparing leavened and unleavened bread, clothing Aaron with holy garments and oil, slaughtering the animals in front of the Tabernacle, and applying the blood to the altar. The intestines and bread were used as a presentation offering to God, while other portions were burned to create an aroma for God.
Aaron and the males of his family were given orders of ordainment. How to offer to the Lord was also described in further detail.
"'I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God'" (29:45-46).
Reflection Questions raised by the Daily Grace (pgs. 93-99):
How does the Israelite's need for consecration point us to our need for Christ's sacrifice?
How does permitting sin deter our worship of the Lord?
What does it say about God's character that He wants to dwell with His people?
Exodus, like upcoming books in the Old Testament, was not shy about sharing precise information or measurements when discussing worship procedures for the Israelites. Each time I read through the details, I am in awe of Jesus all over again. Not only did Jesus wash our sins away in one selfless act, but He took away the rigorous responsibility of us trying to achieve holiness. Our works are not what garners the Spirit.
"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, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:13-14)
I recognize that we are no longer expected to procure spotless lambs, goats, rams, or bulls for slaughter to atone for our sins, nor are we expected to come in a uniform of particular linen in shades of blues, purples, or golds, with head and body accessories, in the presence of God. This tediousness is one subtle example of how flawless God is. But, because of Jesus' consecration, we can access God as we are, with no hesitation, through the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 61:10 says, "I rejoice greatly in the Lord, I exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness."
Sin is tricky because it pulls you under. One leads to another, and then we are stuck in the madness of the turmoil it causes. Allowing sin into our lives interrupts our connection with God by pulling us away. Sin wears away at our morality and self-esteem, making it more difficult to draw near to the Lord because of self-inflicted shame. I empathize with those who have not yet discovered God because they don't understand that sin is their driving force. When you are not familiar with the character and Spirit of God, you rely on serving and worshiping yourself. Selfishness, greed, sexual immorality, lust, gluttony—overconsumption of instant, worldly gratification follows.
All God wanted was to be with His people. The Lord continues to prioritize ways to redeem us throughout generations of sinfulness. If that isn't the graciousness of a loving Father!
There is no better way to bring back the gratitude lists than with a moment from the week I can't stop thinking about.
I had originally thought I would end an evening blissfully walking through Target when a man sitting outside caught my attention. I couldn't tell if he was waiting on his ride or if he was seeking help. Either way, we held eye contact as I walked inside. He held a piece of paper to his chest, but the words were not legible.
If you are not familiar with me yet, hi, my name is Madison, and everything carries meaning to me.
My heart felt heavy, so I prayed. That voice prompted me to get back outside. I figured I would approach him on my way out, and if he wasn't seeking help, then the worst that would happen was that I would experience slight embarrassment for misinterpreting the situation. We've all been mistaken at some point!
When I exited the store, we made eye contact again. Of the people strutting by, it was as if I were the only visible one. I still could not decipher his intended message, so I walked over and made conversation. It was evident that a cognitive disability impaired his communication skills. Forget about the sign. Offering my support, the only words that he had been able to clearly express boomed from somewhere in his small stature.
"GOD BLESS YOU, GOD BLESS YOU!"
I think we stood there saying "God bless you" to one another two or three times because our acknowledgment of God's grace was the only thing we could confidently convey to one another.
The man's hands were cold and he looked empty—until our encounter. Perhaps he had been praying for someone to offer support and kindness, or maybe a stranger noticed him and prayed that the next person would come along and help, but it was a moment that felt powerful and necessary. Right place, right time. There is no greater way for God to answer a prayer than through His creation, so both can attest to His glory.
I witnessed a lonely, nearly helpless man gain hope all in the name of God.
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References
Book of Exodus Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_aojNJM3E
Daniels, K., Dickerson, T., Dickson, K., Hess, A., & Turner, S. (2022). Eden to Eternity (Vol. 1). The Daily Grace Co.
Exodus Bible Timeline. Bible Hub. (n.d.). https://biblehub.com/timeline/exodus/1.htm
Myers, R., & Williams, A. B. (2020). She Reads Truth Bible. Holman Bible Publishers.
