Setting the Scene: In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt on the very day they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Exodus 19:1-2
Moses and the Hebrew (former) slaves have just lived through 12 months of miraculous deliverance and 100 days of stepping into the unknown: Exodus 7-11: Plagues blood; frogs; gnats; flies; livestock; boils; hail; locusts; darkness. Exodus 12: Passover death of all firstborn. Exodus 12: Leaving Egypt deliverance from slavery. Exodus 13-14: Red Sea destruction of Pharaoh s armies. Exodus 15-17: Wilderness bitter water purified and made sweet. manna & quail. water coming from a rock. victory over the Amalekites.
Basin below Mt. Sinai: 4 kms x 1 km
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. Now, if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. Exodus 19
And the Lord said to Moses, Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them: wash their clothes do not touch the mountain or come near to it. abstain from sexual relations. God s presence descends on Mt. Sinai: thunder & lightening (no rain) thick cloud trumpet-like sound that grows louder smoke earthquakes more trumpet noise Exodus 19
The Point: This is not life as usual these people have had their entire existence turned completely insideout. from: slavery forgotten lost structured life small god despair gazing backward familiar to: freedom remembered found unstructured life I AM GOD! hope leaning forward unknown
And God spoke these words, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Exodus 20 1. God introduces Himself to them personally I am the Lord, your God 2. God reminds them what He has done for them. I brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you... Deuteronomy 7:7-8 God begins by stirring up very personal memories in the lives of everyone present that day. of unbelievable happenings. of His undeniable power & authority. of their unforeseen deliverance. Of God s undeserved grace and favour extended to them.
Three Lessons: 1. To really appreciate the Ten Commandments, you must first understand the context in which they were given. They are given by: a BIG, powerful, loving, kind, able generous, compassionate, dangerous & unstoppable GOD. I AM They are extended to: a small, broken, insignificant, lost, enslaved, abused & forgotten group of people.
The Ten Commandments are founded upon God s grace, His love, and His unmerited favour upon these lost and insignificant people. GRACE - God s grace LOVE - God s love FAVOUR - God s favour
These are NOT: 10 words of enslavement 10 words of abuse 10 words of anger 10 words of joyless instruction 10 words designed to destroy These are words of Grace God s grace! This thundering preamble rolling down from Mt. Sinai - I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery - was meant to kindle in God s people a deep love and gratitude and to motivate them to keep his ten gracious words. R.K. Hughes
Three Lessons: 2. These people had no clue how to live in their new life of freedom with God and each other. they knew nothing but slavery, abuse, despair & hopelessness. to be truly set free, they had to learn a new way of living receiving instruction from Someone who could free them from their chains. So God who loved them, gave them what they desperately needed to live in their new freedom.
The Ten Commandments are founded upon God s grace, His love, and His unmerited favour upon these lost and insignificant people. from slavery to deliverance. from brokenness to wholeness. from abuse to love.
Three Lessons: 3. The Ten Commandments are as powerful today as the day they were first given because they help lead me to Jesus. they provide a blueprint for life. they protect me from harming myself and from harming others. they are word of grace from a loving and wise Father God. My response to them says a lot about how I feel about God and what He has done for me.
Jesus Christ: Our New Covenant in Him. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. Galatians 3:24 from slavery to deliverance. from brokenness to wholeness. from abuse to love.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.... For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:15-19
Do you find God s words freeing you, or restricting you? Are they Words of Grace that bring you to Jesus? The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making simple the wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19