Moses’ first trip up Mt Sinai: What is in the Law that teaches us how to live as God’s community?
Many people do not realize that Moses made multiple trips up Mt Sinai when God was given Him the Law. The first trip began with all of Israel at the foot of Mt Sinai and everyone hearing God’s voice as He commanded how they were to live as evidence that He was their God. Everyone entered a blood covenant with God on that day. He then went up for a second trip to receive the instructions for constructing the Tabernacle so that God could dwell in the midst of His people. He was sent down by God to deal with the Golden Calf incident and then went up AGAIN to seek atonement. The trip seeking atonement from God is when Moses was given the sin and guilt sacrifices that would require the sacrifice of an innocent animal in order to pay the wages of sin which are death. But these sacrifices were ONLY for unknown, unintentional, and accidental sins. Only repentance would address intentional sin. These sacrifices all point to Messiah–and were understood to have greater significance even to the Sages in ancient Israel. They had a very Messianic understanding, limited as it was by their position in history. The sacrificial system was accomplished in Messiah–who it was always a picture of. We do not need any additional sacrifice to cover our sins–unknown, accidental or unintentional! And when we repent of our will-full and intentional sins and seek His one time perfect atonement we move into relationship with Him as one of His children–whether part of Israel by birth or grafted in through the adoption of sons.
There is debate, even in Messianic circles, about what commands from the Lord are intended for all believers. General consensus is that the 10 Commandments are required of everyone as they were heard by the entire nation of Israel at the foot of Mt Sinai. That is what I will include as outlined in this first article. While it is true that the civil proceedings outlined in the Civil Law given to Moses are unable to be carried out properly outside of the governmental structure of Israel, and while some things speak directly to what God will do and require in the Land of Israel and therefore can not be fulfilled outside of the Land, there are many things in the Law of how to live as God’s community that are just practical. In fact, many of them have been incorporated into modern laws almost directly. Especially after we understand that our righteousness comes from God alone, I do believe we can go to the Civil Law and find answers to the questions that many believers have including: Is this a sin? What do I do in this situation to honor God? And the one I sought answers for most of my believing life . . . In living out the Law of Love, what does Love look like?
God’s Law should never be approached legalistically–even the ancient sages understood that if you meticulously attend to every detail of instruction in Torah and yet worship an idol you have missed the entire point. I propose that if you have the point–Messiah–at work in your life, then it is NOT legalistic to move on to seek answers to the question asked so beautifully by Dr. Francis Schaeffer, “How Should We Then Live?” I do believe God has an answer in His Word.
NOTES
** Honoring the Sabbath was introduced BEFORE Moses went up on Mount Sinai. It is commanded at the completion of Creation.
**Circumcision was introduced with Abraham, and was required of the Egyptians who would be saved from the Angel of Death at Passover. There is much debate to this day over whether those not born Jewish should be circumcised even if they are seeking to live out Torah. It is stated by Rabbis Shaul and Kefa (Peter) that if you come uncircumcised you are to remain uncircumcised and if you come circumcised you are to remain circumcised, and Rabbi Shaul emphasized that it was always the circumcision of the heart that was understood to be the sign of inclusion in the Covenant. Beyond that, I leave it to each person to work out for their families as they work out their salvation daily–this is not the point or purpose of what I am seeking to compile here.
**The Feast of Unleavened Bread appears to be found first with Abraham and Lot and is for sure given to the Israelites at the time of the Exodus; the Passover lamb had been introduced at Exodus
**Community leaders were established prior to Mt Sinai at wise counsel of Jethro, Moses’ Father In Law
What I hope to present is a simple and practical outline of the details that made up the teachings of Moses’ first trip up Mt Sinai–beginning with all of Israel standing at the foot of the mountain, including Moses ascending into the cloud of the presence of God, and ending with the people corporately and individually entering into covenant with God to abide by His Commands. Let us start with the preparation for going before the Lord and the receipt of the 10 Commandments:
Exodus 19:10 Hashem tells Moses to sanctify the people for two days and have them wash their clothes. On the 3rd day God would descend in the sight of the entire people on Mount Sinai—NO ONE was to touch the mountain or they would die—and THEN on an extended blast of the shofar (ram’s horn trumpet) they were to ASCEND the mountain! They were ALL to go before the Lord to be with Hashem!
Vs 16—morning of the 3rd day there was thunder, lightning and a heavy cloud on the mountain—sound of the shofar was very powerful. The entire people in the camp shuddered. Moses brought them forth and they stood at the bottom of the mountain. Mount Sinai was smoking because Hashem had descended on it in fire*; entire mountain shuddered. Shofar grew continually and Moses would speak with God and God would answer with an audible voice!
Vs 20—Hashem descended on the mountain to the top and summoned Moses to the top. Told Moses to descend and tell them to not rush the mountain—contain themselves so they would live! But Moses and Aaron would ascend but everyone else was to stay down. Moses went down and told them.
Chapter 20: God spoke the 10 commandments so that EVERYONE could hear!
I am Hashem who brought you out of Egypt; you will not recognize any other gods in My presence
You shall not make for yourselves any carved images and shall not prostrate yourself to them nor worship them. Hashem is a Jealous God who visits the sins of the fathers on the children to the 3rd and fourth generations *OF MY ENEMIES* but shows kindness for thousands of generations to those who love Me and observe My commands. (the children must have embraced or acquiesced to the sins of the fathers and over time these sins become culture)
You shall not take the name of Hashem in vain. (shall not use it frivolously, or treat it as common, or swear a false oath with it)
Remember the Sabbath and sanctify it. (do not engage in work as testimony that God is the Creator and so that your animals and servants can rest on this day as well–it is a testimony to them of your faith in God’s provision)
Honor father and mother. (understood to refer to deeds that raise the status of the parents or provide them with comfort)
You shall not kill—if you believe God is the Creator you will not destroy His creation
You shall not commit adultery—human equivalent to not engaging in idolatry and can be extended to any interference in one’s rights
You shall not steal—interpreted as a command against kidnapping and forcing someone into slavery
You shall not bear false witness—including false testimony in court AND gossip and slander
You shall not covet—demonstrates a lack of faith in God to give to you what He intends for you
*EVERYONE saw and heard this—even Moses was not a mediator to the 10 Commandments
Vs 17 Moses tells them, “do not fear, for in order to elevate you has God come; so that awe of Him shall be upon your faces, so that you shall not sin.”
In the next article I will outline the Civil Law that God gave to Moses as he ascended alone into God’s presence.