Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"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. 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." So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, "We will do everything the Lord has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord." Exodus 19:1-8
Three months. This is how long the more than 600 hundred thousand Israelites had journeyed since leaving the Red Sea. They had endured thirst, hunger and attack as they arrived at the "Desert of Sinai" where they camped…in front of the mountain." And they had experienced the awesome, miraculous, delivering power of God every step of the way.
Scripture tells us "Moses went up to God" on the mountain and the "Lord called to him" saying, "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.' " Indeed, the Lord had carried Israel "on eagles' wings" this far to himself...dividing the Red Sea for their passage and destroying Pharoah and his army…sending quail and manna for food…providing water from a rock…and bringing victory in battle against the Amalekites with His staff lifted high above the head of Moses.
You’ll recall that Mount Sinai is one in the same with Mount Horeb…the mountain where Moses had his encounter with God at the burning bush. It’s on this mountain where God will make His covenant with His beloved Israel, just as He had made covenants with Abraham, Noah and Jacob prior. God was about to pass on His guidelines for living through Moses and the key to Israel’s future would lay in how well they obeyed the Lord’s commands. Thus why God placed an emphasis on obedience when He told Moses, "if (Israel) obey(s) me fully and keep(s) my covenant, then out of all nations (Israel) will be my treasured possession."
Well…we read where Moses "summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak," carrying out what the Lord had told him to do. And in response, the "people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said" and Moses "brought their answer back to the Lord" who was no doubt pleased even though He knew well in advance that Israel would disappoint Him in disobedience many times beyond their promise to not do so.
Question: As you get set to enter into another day of worship, how well have you paused to take account of all that God has done for you in your life? Have you recognized that He has "carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to (Himself)" and this time and place? Have you revisited all His expectations and commandments so that you can ensure you’re living properly…serving Him in a way that is pleasing to His sight and reaffirming that you "will do everything the Lord has said?"
God came to the holy mountain of Sinai to address His people and tell them what He expected. In turn they were to do as He commanded. In church…the holy meeting place of God’s people…God comes to those who believe and trust in Him and addresses them. In turn, we are expected to do as He commanded as well as what He command today. My prayer for all of creation this day is for us all to say with one voice, "We will do everything the Lord has said"…and then really do it. There is nothing else that would please the Father more. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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