Soon after Je'thro's visit the children of Is'ra-el traveled a short distance to the level plain which faced Mount Si'nai. It was on this plain that Mo'ses had received his final call to return to E'gypt to deliver Is'ra-el. It was now three months since the Is'ra-el-ites had left E'gypt. They encamped before the great mountain for a whole year, and some of the greatest messages from God in the history of Is'ra-el were given to Mo'ses during this period. The moral code for the government of the nation was spoken and written by the LORD, rules for the domestic, social, and religious life of the people were revealed to Mo'ses, and full instructions were given for the elaborate system of worship and priestly sacrifices. The Tabernacle was erected, its furnishings provided, a portable altar was built, and many other important customs were founded.
The Mosaic Law was given from the high granite mountain called Si'nai. The mountain consists of three lofty peaks: the one on the northeast being called Ho'reb, the southwestern peak called Mount St. Cath'-er-ine, and the highest of all being known as Mount Si'nai.
When the Is'ra-el-ites encamped before this mountain the LORD spoke secretly to Mo'ses, calling to mind the miraculous deliverance of Is'ra-el from E'gypt, and giving a new promise of love and grace if the people would only obey His voice and live according to His laws. The LORD said, "Is'ra-el shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is mine." The children of Is'ra-el were to be fenced in, preserved in their own manner of living, and kept apart from others until the Mes-si'ah reigned. Truly they might have sung!
"We are a garden walled around,
Chosen and made peculiar ground;
A little spot enclosed by grace
Out of the world's wide wilderness."
Mo'ses called together the elders of Is'ra-el, and they in turn summoned all the people to hear the special message which God proclaimed to them. The people replied, "All that the LORD hath spoken we will do." Then Mo'ses informed the LORD of the hearty response of the people. But the great laws which God was now ready to give the Is'ra-el-ites were so important that He would not reveal them through any human being, not even through the mouth of one so good and loyal as Mo'ses.
The LORD therefore told Mo'ses to have the people gather in a great assembly before Mount Si'nai, saying that He would appear in the midst of the mountain in fire and smoke. It was also promised that the LORD would declare His divine laws so clearly that all the people might hear them with their own ears, and see with their own eyes the majesty and power of their God.
Special preparations were required of the people before this great revelation of God could be given. They were told to wash their bodies and their clothing, to separate their hearts from all sin, to dedicate themselves to God with renewed consecration, and to stand before the mountain in a humble, reverent attitude. They were also warned not to risk death by coming too near the mountain.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Monday, August 1, 2016
Story 43: Water Drawn From A Rock; Prayer Brings Victory In Battle ll
Mo'ses chose from all the Is'ra-el-ites a noble and courageous young man named Josh'u-a as the military leader for this battle. He also called out the men who were most likely to be good soldiers, and sent them into battle against the invading enemies. While the battle was raging, Mo'ses stationed himself on a high mountain in order to watch the movements of his army, and at the same time to lift his heart in prayer to the LORD. On either side of him stood his loyal assistants: Aa'ron, his brother and trusted adviser in many previous trying hours, and Hur, the good friend who was the husband of his sister Mir'i-am.
As the conflict grew fierce, Mo'ses lifted his hands toward Heaven in prayer. This attitude could no doubt be seen by Josh'u-a, and would give the young general new courage in the face of apparent defeat. At last Mo'ses became too weary to hold up his hands, and he sank down exhausted upon a stone. Then Aa'ron and Hur came to his aid, helped him to rise again, and held up his hands as he prayed.
Through the prayers of Mo'ses the armies of Is'ra-el were given new strength, and Josh'u-a was able to lead them in victory over the Am'a-lek-ites. The intercession of the man of God stretched its hands out to Heaven, and the dark portentous clouds of destruction had been quickly scattered; for human hands linked to Divinity become as strong as God. "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."
The children of Is'ra-el were taught many important lessons by this first experience of war after leaving E'gypt. They learnt to trust in the LORD when they were attacked by enemies, and to put their hopes before the LORD in earnest prayer. When the prayer of Mo'ses was interrupted, the enemy gaint the advantage; when his prayer was renewed, the Is'ra-el-ites won the battle.
After the great victory over the Am'a-lek-ites special thanks were offered to God, with sacrifices which represented the gratitude of all the people of Is'ra-el. Mo'ses was instructed to make a permanent record of the event for the encouragement of future generations who might be attacked by savage enemies.
As the conflict grew fierce, Mo'ses lifted his hands toward Heaven in prayer. This attitude could no doubt be seen by Josh'u-a, and would give the young general new courage in the face of apparent defeat. At last Mo'ses became too weary to hold up his hands, and he sank down exhausted upon a stone. Then Aa'ron and Hur came to his aid, helped him to rise again, and held up his hands as he prayed.
Through the prayers of Mo'ses the armies of Is'ra-el were given new strength, and Josh'u-a was able to lead them in victory over the Am'a-lek-ites. The intercession of the man of God stretched its hands out to Heaven, and the dark portentous clouds of destruction had been quickly scattered; for human hands linked to Divinity become as strong as God. "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."
The children of Is'ra-el were taught many important lessons by this first experience of war after leaving E'gypt. They learnt to trust in the LORD when they were attacked by enemies, and to put their hopes before the LORD in earnest prayer. When the prayer of Mo'ses was interrupted, the enemy gaint the advantage; when his prayer was renewed, the Is'ra-el-ites won the battle.
After the great victory over the Am'a-lek-ites special thanks were offered to God, with sacrifices which represented the gratitude of all the people of Is'ra-el. Mo'ses was instructed to make a permanent record of the event for the encouragement of future generations who might be attacked by savage enemies.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Story 43: Water Drawn From A Rock; Prayer Brings Victory In Battle l
After leaving their encampment in the wilderness of sin, the Is'ra-el-ites journeyed in the direction of Mount Si'nai. They halted for a short time at places called Doph'kah and A'lush, and finally pitched their tents at a place called Reph'i-dim, which was near Mount Ho'reb and Mount Si'nai.
The region called Reph'i-dim was without water; although the Is'ra-el-ites were being supplied with food from Heaven, they were suffering intensely with thirst. They began to murmur again; knowing that Mo'ses had been aided by the LORD many times before in serving them, they said to him, "Give us water that we may drink."
In reply to the prayer of Mo'ses, the LORD said to him, "Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Ho'reb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink."
Facing the multitude of thirsty men and women, whose little children were crying for water, and whose sheep and cattle were panting with thirst, Mo'ses asked them to gather before the rock in Ho'reb. He struck the rock as the LORD had commanded, and suddenly there burst forth from the mountain of stone a stream of fresh water which ran like a river through the encampment of the Is'ra-el-ites. Both people and cattle had water in abundance, and the stream continued to flow as long as they remained in the valley.
Living in A-ra'bi-a at that time was a large and fierce tribe of wanderers known as the Am'a-lek-ites. They were descendants of E'sau, about whom we learnt in a previous story.
When the Am'a-lek-ites learnt that the descendants of Ja'cob who were now called the Is'ra-el-lites encamped in the wilderness near Mount Si'nai, they made a crafty attack upon the weakest point in the defenses of their ancient enemy.
The region called Reph'i-dim was without water; although the Is'ra-el-ites were being supplied with food from Heaven, they were suffering intensely with thirst. They began to murmur again; knowing that Mo'ses had been aided by the LORD many times before in serving them, they said to him, "Give us water that we may drink."
In reply to the prayer of Mo'ses, the LORD said to him, "Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Ho'reb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink."
Facing the multitude of thirsty men and women, whose little children were crying for water, and whose sheep and cattle were panting with thirst, Mo'ses asked them to gather before the rock in Ho'reb. He struck the rock as the LORD had commanded, and suddenly there burst forth from the mountain of stone a stream of fresh water which ran like a river through the encampment of the Is'ra-el-ites. Both people and cattle had water in abundance, and the stream continued to flow as long as they remained in the valley.
Living in A-ra'bi-a at that time was a large and fierce tribe of wanderers known as the Am'a-lek-ites. They were descendants of E'sau, about whom we learnt in a previous story.
When the Am'a-lek-ites learnt that the descendants of Ja'cob who were now called the Is'ra-el-lites encamped in the wilderness near Mount Si'nai, they made a crafty attack upon the weakest point in the defenses of their ancient enemy.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Story 42: Trials And Murmurings In The Wilderness; The Bread From Heaven lll
God sent the manna as a free gift of Divine grace, but the people had to use their own strength in gathering it, and their own skill in finding ways of preparing it. God fed them, but they had to work to satisfy their hunger. The manna had to be gathered quickly, for it was melted by the heat of the rising sun; if the people failed to gather enough, they went hungry; if they took more than their proper share, it spoiled. The gathering of the manna was a daily duty, and those who became indolent or careless were forced to do without food.
The laws of God had to be followed in gathering the manna. From the time of Creation the seventh day of the week had been a holy day, and man had been commanded to do no manual work on this day. For this reason no manna was provided on the Sab'bath, and those who searched for it were properly punished by going hungry. The double portion gathered on the sixth day did not spoil, as it would have done had it been gathered on any other day. The LORD still has a way of making worthless that for which men labor on the day which He has set aside for worship.
The failure of the Is'ra-el-ites to obey this order was a sign of their lack of reverence for the One who had so wonderfully helped them, and it showed a wicked nature which brought down upon itself a fitting punishment. Mo'ses ordered Aa'ron to keep a pot of the manna as a memorial of God's wonderful providence in feeding Is'ra-el during the long sojourn of forty years in the wilderness. Later this pot of manna was placed in the sacred Ark about which we shall learn in other stories. It was a valuable reminder to future generations of God's power to provide for His people in dire need.
The laws of God had to be followed in gathering the manna. From the time of Creation the seventh day of the week had been a holy day, and man had been commanded to do no manual work on this day. For this reason no manna was provided on the Sab'bath, and those who searched for it were properly punished by going hungry. The double portion gathered on the sixth day did not spoil, as it would have done had it been gathered on any other day. The LORD still has a way of making worthless that for which men labor on the day which He has set aside for worship.
The failure of the Is'ra-el-ites to obey this order was a sign of their lack of reverence for the One who had so wonderfully helped them, and it showed a wicked nature which brought down upon itself a fitting punishment. Mo'ses ordered Aa'ron to keep a pot of the manna as a memorial of God's wonderful providence in feeding Is'ra-el during the long sojourn of forty years in the wilderness. Later this pot of manna was placed in the sacred Ark about which we shall learn in other stories. It was a valuable reminder to future generations of God's power to provide for His people in dire need.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Story 42: Trials And Murmurings In The Wilderness; The Bread From Heaven ll
The LORD knew that these complaints against His servants were in reality complaints against Him, yet He looked with tender mercy upon the sad condition of the people. He therefore told Mo'ses of His purpose to supply Is'ra-el with meat in the evening and bread in the morning, declaring that He would send down like rain from Heaven all the food which the Is'ra-el-ites needed. These promises of God were announced to the entire company of Is'ra-el by the elders and leaders of each tribe. The people were called to worship, and in the evening as they looked toward the wilderness on the east the glory of the LORD shone in the clouds. As the sun sank in the horizon the LORD caused great flocks of quail to come up to their camp, so that the ground was covered with them. The quail were then used to supply the people with meat.
When the people arose on the next morning and looked out upon the wilderness around them, they saw that the ground everywhere was covered with small, round particles, white like frost, and sparkling in the dew like diamonds. Amazed at the strange sight, they cried aloud, "Manna! Manna!" which means , "What is it?"
Mo'ses explained to them that this was the bread which the LORD had promised to send like rain from Heaven, and that they were to go out and gather just enough of it to last them for one day. This wonderful supply of food was to be given by the LORD on every morning except the Sab'bath, so on the sixth day of each week the people were to gather a double supply.
The people gathered the manna as directed by Mo'ses, and prepared it for their meals in various ways. It was a fine, nourishing food, with a taste like that of wafers and honey. Whenever one of them disobeyed the LORD'S command and took more than he needed, it would spoil before it could be eaten. Those who failed to gather a double portion on the sixth day of the week found that there was no manna to be had on the Sab'bath; for their disobedience they had to go without food for one day.
Both the manner in which God supplied this food and the nature of the food itself were miraculous. The manna was not produced by any natural means, and it was wholly independent of climate, weather, or any other worldly condition. It was supplied in the same miraculous way during the entire forty years of Is'ra-el's sojourn in the wilderness, and fell upon them in the same manner at every encampment in various parts of the desert.
When the people arose on the next morning and looked out upon the wilderness around them, they saw that the ground everywhere was covered with small, round particles, white like frost, and sparkling in the dew like diamonds. Amazed at the strange sight, they cried aloud, "Manna! Manna!" which means , "What is it?"
Mo'ses explained to them that this was the bread which the LORD had promised to send like rain from Heaven, and that they were to go out and gather just enough of it to last them for one day. This wonderful supply of food was to be given by the LORD on every morning except the Sab'bath, so on the sixth day of each week the people were to gather a double supply.
The people gathered the manna as directed by Mo'ses, and prepared it for their meals in various ways. It was a fine, nourishing food, with a taste like that of wafers and honey. Whenever one of them disobeyed the LORD'S command and took more than he needed, it would spoil before it could be eaten. Those who failed to gather a double portion on the sixth day of the week found that there was no manna to be had on the Sab'bath; for their disobedience they had to go without food for one day.
Both the manner in which God supplied this food and the nature of the food itself were miraculous. The manna was not produced by any natural means, and it was wholly independent of climate, weather, or any other worldly condition. It was supplied in the same miraculous way during the entire forty years of Is'ra-el's sojourn in the wilderness, and fell upon them in the same manner at every encampment in various parts of the desert.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Story 42: Trials And Murmurings In The Wilderness; The Bread From Heaven l
Following the great triumph over their enemies in the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea there was a season of rejoicing in the camp of Is'ra-el. Led by Mir'i-am, the sweet singer, all the children of Is'ra-el joined in singing the Song of Mo'ses. Then they journeyed in a southeasterly direction along the rugged coastline of the sea. Still guided by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, they turnt into the interior of the A-ra'bi-an Peninsula, which was a great desert, toward the place where Mo'ses had seen the flaming bush that was not burnt.
After travelling for three days they came to a place where there were springs of water, but they soon found that the water was too bitter to drink. Once again the Is'ra-el-ites forgot the mercies and power of God, and began to murmur against Mo'ses because of the bitterness of the water. Then the LORD directed Mo'ses to find a certain shrub and to throw it into the water. As soon as this was done the water became pure and good to drink, and Mo'ses assured the people that all would go well with them if they would only trust in the LORD and obey His commandments.
From Ma'rah, which was the name they gave to the place of bitter waters, the children of Is'ra-el journeyed to a place called E'lim. This was a beautiful valley about one mile long, with twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees. Here they encamped for several months before resuming their journey. Although the waters were sweet and healthful, and there was an abundance of grass for their cattle, it was the duty of the He'brews to journey on toward their Promised Land in Ca'naan.
"E'lim! sweet foretaste of rest and blessing,
Soon must be left for the lengthening way;
But it is well that Thy pilgrims should gather
Courage and strength for the wearisome way."
As they travelled deeper into the desert of the A-ra'bi-an Peninsula they came into what was known as the wilderness of Sin, between E'lim and Mt. Si'nai. It was now two months since they had left E'gypt, and the small food supplies which they had been able to bring with them were nearly gone. The sheep and cattle which they had brought out of E'gypt had to be kept for making offerings to God, and for future increase in their new home. And so the three million people began to wonder where they were to secure food. Fear and panic spread among them, for their future in this vast wilderness seemed hopeless. They remembered that even during the bondage and hardships suffered in E'gypt they had never been forced to go hungry.
In their desperation the people murmured against Mo'ses and Aa'ron, the two noble servants of God who had just led them so miraculously out of slavery in E'gypt. The whole company of Is'ra-el, including the elders and the appointed leaders of the twelve tribes, joined in this complaint. In the face of the wonderful events of the past three months these murmurings of Is'ra-el were unreasonable, ungrateful, and actually wicked. The people complained about things which never happened, and even longed to return to their old life of bondage in E'gypt.
After travelling for three days they came to a place where there were springs of water, but they soon found that the water was too bitter to drink. Once again the Is'ra-el-ites forgot the mercies and power of God, and began to murmur against Mo'ses because of the bitterness of the water. Then the LORD directed Mo'ses to find a certain shrub and to throw it into the water. As soon as this was done the water became pure and good to drink, and Mo'ses assured the people that all would go well with them if they would only trust in the LORD and obey His commandments.
From Ma'rah, which was the name they gave to the place of bitter waters, the children of Is'ra-el journeyed to a place called E'lim. This was a beautiful valley about one mile long, with twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees. Here they encamped for several months before resuming their journey. Although the waters were sweet and healthful, and there was an abundance of grass for their cattle, it was the duty of the He'brews to journey on toward their Promised Land in Ca'naan.
"E'lim! sweet foretaste of rest and blessing,
Soon must be left for the lengthening way;
But it is well that Thy pilgrims should gather
Courage and strength for the wearisome way."
As they travelled deeper into the desert of the A-ra'bi-an Peninsula they came into what was known as the wilderness of Sin, between E'lim and Mt. Si'nai. It was now two months since they had left E'gypt, and the small food supplies which they had been able to bring with them were nearly gone. The sheep and cattle which they had brought out of E'gypt had to be kept for making offerings to God, and for future increase in their new home. And so the three million people began to wonder where they were to secure food. Fear and panic spread among them, for their future in this vast wilderness seemed hopeless. They remembered that even during the bondage and hardships suffered in E'gypt they had never been forced to go hungry.
In their desperation the people murmured against Mo'ses and Aa'ron, the two noble servants of God who had just led them so miraculously out of slavery in E'gypt. The whole company of Is'ra-el, including the elders and the appointed leaders of the twelve tribes, joined in this complaint. In the face of the wonderful events of the past three months these murmurings of Is'ra-el were unreasonable, ungrateful, and actually wicked. The people complained about things which never happened, and even longed to return to their old life of bondage in E'gypt.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Story 41: The Miraculous Dividing Of The Red Sea For Is'ra-el's Passage lV
And with the blast of Thy nostrils the water were piled up,
The floods stood upright as a heap;
The deeps were congealed in the heart of the Sea.
The enemy said,
I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied upon them;
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them:
They sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto thee, O Je-ho'vah, among the gods?
Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Thou stretchest out Thy right hand,
The earth swallowed them.
Thou in Thy loving kindness hast led the people that Thou hast
redeemed:
Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation.
The peoples have heard, they tremble:
Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Phi-lis'ti-a.
Then were the chiefs of E'dom dismayed;
The mighty men of Mo'ab, trembling taketh hold upon them:
All the inhabitants of Ca'naan are melted away.
Terror and dread falleth upon them:
By the greatness of Thine arm they are as still as stone;
Till thy people pass over that Thou hast purchased.
Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them in the mountains of Thine
inheritance,
The place, O Je-ho'vah, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in,
The Sanctuary, O LORD, which Thy hands have established,
Je-ho'vah shall reign forever and ever."
Truly, this song was put into the mouth of Mo'ses by the Spirit of God. It was not only sung to the Glory of God, but was composed and revealed unto Mo'ses by The LORD. Its grandeur and beauty surpass by far the greatest compositions of the mind of man. Its contents are descriptive, historical, and prophetic. The song speaks with equal beauty of Divine vengeance and grace, and of the deliverance of the righteous through the destruction of the wicked. It has lived through the centuries, will abide to the end of time upon earth, and will be among the most glorious hymns of Heaven. The redeemed of the LORD shall sing together around the great white throne the
"Song of Mo'ses and the Lamb."
"Hark, how the adoring hosts above
With songs surround the throne
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
But all their hearts are one."
(I hope I did the songs justice in copying them.)
The floods stood upright as a heap;
The deeps were congealed in the heart of the Sea.
The enemy said,
I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied upon them;
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them:
They sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto thee, O Je-ho'vah, among the gods?
Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Thou stretchest out Thy right hand,
The earth swallowed them.
Thou in Thy loving kindness hast led the people that Thou hast
redeemed:
Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation.
The peoples have heard, they tremble:
Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Phi-lis'ti-a.
Then were the chiefs of E'dom dismayed;
The mighty men of Mo'ab, trembling taketh hold upon them:
All the inhabitants of Ca'naan are melted away.
Terror and dread falleth upon them:
By the greatness of Thine arm they are as still as stone;
Till thy people pass over that Thou hast purchased.
Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them in the mountains of Thine
inheritance,
The place, O Je-ho'vah, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in,
The Sanctuary, O LORD, which Thy hands have established,
Je-ho'vah shall reign forever and ever."
Truly, this song was put into the mouth of Mo'ses by the Spirit of God. It was not only sung to the Glory of God, but was composed and revealed unto Mo'ses by The LORD. Its grandeur and beauty surpass by far the greatest compositions of the mind of man. Its contents are descriptive, historical, and prophetic. The song speaks with equal beauty of Divine vengeance and grace, and of the deliverance of the righteous through the destruction of the wicked. It has lived through the centuries, will abide to the end of time upon earth, and will be among the most glorious hymns of Heaven. The redeemed of the LORD shall sing together around the great white throne the
"Song of Mo'ses and the Lamb."
"Hark, how the adoring hosts above
With songs surround the throne
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
But all their hearts are one."
(I hope I did the songs justice in copying them.)
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