Download PDF - International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
Download PDF - International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
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INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPSMOF CHRISTIANS AND JEWSThe Mountains <strong>and</strong>Waters <strong>of</strong> IsraelMountain <strong>of</strong> God – Part 2Exodus 19:1-25; 34:1-5, 27-35We cannot overstate the importance <strong>of</strong> theLaw—the Torah—that Moses received fromGod on Mount Sinai (whose exact location isuncertain, although many believe it was in thesouthern Sinai peninsula). It was here that theIsraelites truly became a nation, united underGod’s Law <strong>and</strong> the leadership <strong>of</strong> Moses. Israelmade camp at Sinai as God prepared to givethem His holy Word. There is a Jewish midrash(a commentary on a Bible text) which suggeststhat the entire world, including all the animals <strong>and</strong>birds, heard God speak the Ten Comm<strong>and</strong>ments toMoses. Both <strong>Jews</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Christians</strong> affirm theComm<strong>and</strong>ments’ eternal validity.It was also at Sinai that God forged a relationshipwith Israel that is still strong today. The power <strong>of</strong>this meeting between God <strong>and</strong> man is evident inthe fact that Moses’ face was radiant <strong>and</strong> glowingwhen he descended Sinai to deliver the Torah tothe people. Their sin with the golden calf(Exodus 32) had made it necessary for Moses toreturn <strong>and</strong> receive a new set <strong>of</strong> stone tablets. Buthis shining face made it clear that God hadaccepted him! The Israelites were afraid to comenear Moses, <strong>and</strong> he had to cover his face with aveil while among them, removing it only to enterGod’s presence.1. Explain why God’s instructions to theIsraelites regarding their conduct at Sinai wereso rigid <strong>and</strong> even stern.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. God gave Israel a second chance to receivethe Torah <strong>and</strong> live by it. What hope does thisgive us in our relationship with God?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Why was Moses’ face radiant as he camedown from Mount Sinai?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. Why do you think the people were fearful <strong>of</strong>Moses when he came down from Sinai?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Something to Think About:The Bible is explicit that Moses was different for having been with God. Even though we do notspeak with God “face to face” as Moses did, we too should also be different after experiencingGod <strong>and</strong> His majestic, holy presence.3
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