Orientation through instruction
We need instruction at every age, as children, adolescents and adults. A 94 year old lady was asked: What grade is she in? Her answer was: “I’m in the last year of my school of life!”
We in Germany can't complain. We are well looked after. A good education system: medical care! Traffic regulations! When it comes to road traffic, it is important to pay particular attention to the rules and prohibitions. It was planned by the responsible authorities. Goal: To respect each other, not to cause or preserve any harm. For the protection and well-being of people and animals. We need instruction for all areas of life that exist.
1. Instruction through God's Word
The Israelites had left the Red Sea far behind them. They had already been traveling for two months when they came to the Sinai desert. In the distance they could see the high Mount Sinai. This sight must have awakened many memories in Moses' mind. There he had been tending the sheep when God spoke to him from the burning bush.
There God had given him the task of leading the people of Israel out of Egypt, with the promise that Moses would come with the people to the same place.
He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:12 (ESV)
God has fulfilled his promise! Now Moses was about to experience even greater things. It goes on to say that Moses went up to God. And the LORD called to him from the mountain, and said, Tell the people of Israel, that ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself.
God's covenant with Israel: If you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my possession above all nations. Reminder to the people: You should be a priestly people to me, who are entirely at my disposal and serve me undividedly! Moses came back to the elders and the people, passed on the message; The people's response: “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” according to Exodus 19:3-8
2. God's power majesty and glory
On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. Exodus 19:16-18 (ESV)
Over 600,000 people stood on the mountain and heard God's voice.
Then God spoke. He said: I am the Lord your God! This is the basis – basis for all people. The first commandments teach us our obligation to God: You shall not worship any other gods besides me! According to Exodus 20:1-6
The meaning today: Do not prostrate yourself before figures of gods, do not offer them any sacrifices! Anything other than God that takes first place in our hearts is modern idolatry.
The last commandments apply to our fellow human beings:
- Honor your father and your mother
- Thou shalt not kill!
- You shall not commit adultery!
- Thou shalt not steal!
- Don't say anything untrue about those around you
- You should not covet what belongs to your fellow human beings!
According to Exodus 20:1-17
3. The Tables of the Law
Moses himself stayed on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. When Moses was in the cloud, invisible to the people, he had entered the world of God. After God spoke to Moses, he gave them the tablets of the law. According to Exodus 24:12-18
What do we want? Do we want to do everything God says? How do we decide? These commandments are not only the basic law for the people of God, but for all peoples; because it contains God's instructions for behavior towards God and towards fellow human beings.
Since God's revelation at Sinai, no one can say anymore that one cannot know anything about God.
His good will for a meaningful life is made known all over the world in the Ten Commandments.
God's offer:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 (LUT)
4. When asked what is the greatest commandment?
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV)
3. The Tables of the Law
Moses himself stayed on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. When Moses was in the cloud, invisible to the people, he had entered the world of God. After God spoke to Moses, he gave them the tablets of the law. According to Exodus 24:12-18
What do we want? Do we want to do everything God says? How do we decide? These commandments are not only the basic law for the people of God, but for all peoples; because it contains God's instructions for behavior towards God and towards fellow human beings.
Since God's revelation at Sinai, no one can say anymore that one cannot know anything about God.
His good will for a meaningful life is made known all over the world in the Ten Commandments.
God's offer:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 (LUT)
How can we respond to God's offer? By reading his word (Bible) every day!
4. When asked what is the greatest commandment?
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV)
Author: Edith Waechter
AI Images: 1,4,5+6: https://www.bing.com/images/create/
Images 2+3: https://unsplash.com/de/
AI Images: 1,4,5+6: https://www.bing.com/images/create/
Images 2+3: https://unsplash.com/de/
