October 15 | Exodus 20:1-21

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DAILY READING

Exodus 20:1-21

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How to Live

by Elaine Pierce

The Ten Commandments. They used to be prominently featured in America's courtrooms and schools. The 1956 movie, The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston (who plays both Moses and God) is a classic. Today? We don't talk about the Ten Commandments much. In fact, some have jokingly said that today we would prefer that Moses give us ten suggestions rather than ten commandments.

To be fair, probably no generation has welcomed being told what to do and how to do it. Ask any parent in the throes of raising a toddler how much their child enjoys discipline, even when it is for their own good, their own safety, their own well being. God's commandments are based on his gracious salvation to rescue his people and his expectation that his people will now live in obedience to his instruction. (See page 32 of your "Gospel of Exodus" Sermon Journal for an excellent summary of the purpose of the Ten Commandments.)

We know that the Israelites did not keep these commandments. Keep reading Exodus and it won't take long to read about Aaron and the golden calf. Our modern sensibilities are offended: how could they be so arrogant, so foolish, so ungodly? Don't we do the same thing? We promise to keep God's law, and we quickly break it. We may not be so crass as to create a golden calf, but we turn our backs on God when it's convenient for us to ignore him.

Strictly following the Ten Commandments won't guarantee your salvation we all know that. But God has given us a blueprint for how to worship him and for how to live. As he reminded the Jewish people, so he reminds us, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, our of the land of slavery."

PRAYER

To God be the glory, great things he has done! So loved he the world that he gave us his son.....Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice. Thank you, Lord, for what you have done in my life and in the lives of the saints who go before me. Help me for today to live a life worthy of you. l Amen.

OCTOBER 14 | EXODUS 19:14-25

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DAILY READING

Exodus19:14-25

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REFLECTION

Two Mountains

by Mary Alice McGinnis

On Sunday October 1st, I had a bike accident. I fell onto my right hand and broke 3 bones. This past week while I have been recuperating, with my right hand in a cast, I had a lot of time to do nothing, and a lot of time to reflect. I thought about the things on my “To Do List “ that seemed pointless now.

God sometimes has a way of slowing us down so we can hear Him.

In today's reading, we find the children of Israel just three months after their miraculous delivery from Egypt. They had seen so many of God's miracles already, and yet we find them still complaining and grumbling. Now, they must wait again, for three days.

God brings them to the foot of Mount Sinai to meet with Him. Moses sanctifies the people, washes their clothes, and tells them to keep themselves pure. And yet none of this was enough to allow the people access to the Presence of God Himself.

Can you imagine what that mountain looked like, overcome with fire and thick billowing smoke? Can you imagine the loud claps of thunder, the fearfully piercing lightning strikes, and the earsplitting bellow of the trumpet?

The people were terrified. Yet, they had to be reminded again and again not to come into the presence of this Holy God on that mountain.

This unholy, rebellious people could not come into the presence of God without serious consequences.

How often do we brush off our offenses toward God and toward other people as minor?

How quick are we to minimize the things we've done or left undone? How often do we brush off our sins as minor mistakes rather than serious offenses that they are? Where have I found myself grumbling against God instead of being grateful?

Hebrews 12, gives us another perspective of this story:

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”

The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:18-24)

At Mount Sinai, Moses was the mediator for Israel at that moment. But at Mount Zion (Jerusalem) Jesus was placed on a cross and into a tomb for three days. Jesus is our mediator for all ages to come.

Mount Sinai is marked with fear and terror. Mount Zion is where Jesus poured out his love for the entire world.

Mount Sinai was all about the law. The people could not stand in the Lord's presence. At Mount Zion, Jesus paid the price for our redemption. We are now invited into fellowship with God forever.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my mediator. Thank you that I no longer need to fear the presence of God, but that I can stand before Him pure and blameless because you have washed me clean.

October 13 | Exodus 19:1-13

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DAILY READING

Exodus 19:1-13

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REFLECTION

Come to the Mountain

by Jennifer Jerrome

Moses served as God’s messenger to the Israelites. While they were his chosen people, the story of Mount Sinai makes it clear that the Israelites were not to come near the mountain. Only Moses could approach the Lord.

Moses was a major player in the Old Testament. He was as close as one could get to God, but that would change in the New Testament when God sent another to share his message.

Through Jesus, all people, not just the Israelites could approach God in new ways—which made it hard for the religious leaders to accept. They were used to the “Moses way,” where only a select few could interact with the sanctity of God. The “Jesus way” was foreign.

I’m so thankful for the “Jesus way.” I find great comfort in having a personal relationship with God.

But we cannot forget the important role Moses played in the history of Christianity. While many Christians turn to the New Testament for guidance, Moses and the Old Testament laid the foundation for what was to come. We need Exodus and the stories of Mount Sinai to understand how God speaks to people where they are, in their context and time.

The Israelites understood the role of Moses and the need for consecration. They understood not approaching the mountain until the ram’s horn sounded. This made sense to them. Their relationship with God was one of physical distance and obedience.

Jesus would come and change the game. He made it possible for each of us to experience God in a whole new way. It would take some getting used to and even today many believe that approaching God is taboo, that we must first cleanse ourselves and perform rituals to get his attention. Through Jesus we learned he wants each of us to draw near to him, even when covered in the dirt and grime of sin.

Part of Moses’ job as messenger was to tell the Israelites to wash and get ready for God. Jesus did the washing for us, so that we could be with him.

PRAYER

Thank you, Father, for giving the Israelites Moses. He brought them out of the darkness of Egypt. Thank you for giving each of us Jesus to bring us out of our darkness. We have seen a great light. Continue to guide our steps to an everlasting relationship with you. Amen