Shemos 19 (Exodus 19)
Shemos 19, the Children of Yisrael traveled from Refidim to the Wilderness of Sinay. The Children of Yisrael more than likely arrived on the 6th of Sivan. This can be approximated from the text. The Children of Yisrael were to camp at Sinay for just short of a year. During that time, quite a bit was going to happen. This was just the beginning for them.
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Mount Sinay
Mount Sinay
From Refidim, the Children of Yisrael traveled to the Wilderness of Sinay. The Children of Yisrael arrived at Sinay in Shemos 19:1-2.
1 In the third month, when the Children of Yisrael were gone forth out of the land of Mitzrayim, the same day came they the Wilderness of Sinay. 2 For they were departed from Refidim, and were come to the Wilderness of Sinay, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Yisrael camped before the mount.
The Children of Yisrael more than likely arrived on the 6th of Sivan. This can be approximated from the text. However, it cannot be said without some margin of faith. The Children of Yisrael were to remain in Sinay until Bemidbar 10:11-12.
11 And it came to pass on the twentieth of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the Mishkan of the Testimony. 12 And the Children of Yisrael took their journeys out of the Wilderness of Sinay; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
The Children of Yisrael were to camp at Sinay for just short of a year. During that time, quite a bit was going to happen:
· Yehovah would establish His Covenant with the Children of Yisrael.
· Yehovah would be heard by the entire nation of Yisrael.
· Moshe would cross through the cloud to be with Yehovah several times.
· Moshe would receive the pattern for the Mishkan and Ohel Moed.
· Moshe would receive the 10 Words.
· Moshe would receive most if not all Commandments, Statutes and Judgments.
· Moshe will break the first set of 10 Words.
· Children of Yisrael would transgress in the sin of the Golden Calf.
· 3,000 Yisraeli will be killed as a result of the sin of the Golden Calf.
· Levites will distinguish themselves.
· Moshe will receive a second set of 10 Words.
· Mishkan and Ohel Moed will be constructed.
· Aharon is anointed High Priest.
· Aharon’s sons will be anointed priests.
· Nadav and Avihu would violate the Mishkan and be slain.
· The Counting of the People and Levities.
· Dedication of the Mishkan and Ohel of the Moed.
· Camp of Yisrael is sanctified.
· Passover is observed in remembrance.
· Silver Trumpets are constructed.
More is recorded from the time the Children of Yisrael spent at Mount Sinay than any other location. One would expect that believers would critically examine this time as a shadow of the pattern for their lives in this lifetime. This discussion will not cover every thing that happened; however, many of the events will be examined.
Covenant at Sinay
Covenant at Sinay
When the Children of Yisrael had reached Sinay, they had already been traveling for approximately 50 days. This would be the high point for many. For others, it will not have the desired effect. As for believers today, this is a shadow of good things to come. We will experience a similar event in the future, Philippians 2:10-11.
10 That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of in heaven, and in earth, and under the earth; 11 and every tongue should confess that Yeshua Messiah Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
There is coming a time when Yehovah will establish a new convent with many who will come into Eternity.
There are a number of things that should be noted about what occurred at Sinay. Initially, Moshe will go up to Yehovah and He will tell Moshe to tell the people some specific things, Shemos 19:4-6.
4 You have seen what I did to the Mitzrayim and I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people. For all the lands Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These the words which you shall speak to the Children of Yisrael.
Moshe was to the tell the Children of Yisrael several things. First they saw what Yehovah did to Mitzrayim. This should bring to mind the unlimited power and resources of Yehovah. He is not limited as we are. We should keep this in mind as we attempt to walk in His footsteps. Yehovah is bigger than any of our concerns. He is not someone to trifle with.
Secondly, He brought the Children of Yisrael to Mount Sinay. This reminds us that none of us may approach Him unless we have been called. If He calls us He will make a way; however, we must follow the way He has put forth.
Thirdly, Yehovah brought the Children of Yisrael to Mount Sinay for a specific reason. He desired to establish a covenant with the Children of Yisrael. As with all covenants, He will do something for us, but we must fulfill our part of the covenant.
Fourthly and most important, it is Yehovah’s ultimate desire to establish a Kingdom of Priests. One might ask why would Yehovah want to do this?
The simple answer is to have the necessary people to fulfill, Acts 3:19-22.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and He shall send Yeshua Messiah, which before was preached to you. 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of Restitution of All Things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moshe truly said to the fathers, a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brethren, like to me; Him shall you hear in all things whatsoever He shall say to you.
We as believers need to see what is occurring at Sinay as if we were there. Yehovah states in Devarim 29:9.
9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.
First of all, the covenant at Sinay is still in effect today. We prosper if we keep it. One must remember that when Yehovah speaks, they are not some temporary words that will fleetingly fade away. To establish a Kingdom of Priest it will require a group of people who will actually observe the covenant with all their heart, all their soul and all their strength. If we keep the covenant we will prosper. If we turn our back on the covenant, we may find that there are consequences.
Devarim 29:10-12
10 You stand this day all of you before Yehovah your Redeemer; your heads (rosh) of your tribes (shevet), your elders, and your officers, all the men (iysh) of Yisrael, 11 your little ones (taf), your women (ishshah), and your stranger (ger) that in your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water. 12 That you should enter into covenant with Yehovah your Redeemer, and into His oath, which Yehovah your Redeemer makes with you this day.
Yehovah established this covenant with all of Yisrael. This includes all males, females and children. This is something we would expected to happen. However, He does not end there. Yehovah also establishes the covenant with all non-Yisraeli that sojourned with the people. This includes all the people that are servants to the Children of Yisrael. This opens up the covenant to all those present at Mount Sinay.
Devarim 29:13
13 That He may establish you to day for a people to Himself, and He may be to you a Redeemer, as He has said to you, and as He has sworn to your fathers, to Avraham, to Yitzchaq and to Yaaqov.
Yehovah brought forth this covenant to establish a people. This ought to reinforce the concept that this was a permanent covenant. For us to think this ended with the Beriyt Chadasha would be ludicrous. If that was true, then nothing Yehovah stated would be a guarantee. However, we should understand by now that what He says He means. Regardless of the detractors in the world. The Children of Yisrael are still Yehovah’s people.
Devarim 29:14-15
14 Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; 15 but with that stands here with us this day before Yehovah our Redeemer, and also with that not here with us this day.
This covenant was made with two basic groups. First, all that were there that day and second, with all those that follow. If you are part of the Commonwealth of Yisrael then this covenant was made with you too. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:11-13 that all believers are part of the Commonwealth of Yisrael; therefore, this covenant was made with all believers.
11 Wherefore remember, that you in time past Nations (ethnos) in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 that at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the Commonwealth of Yisrael, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. 13 But now in Messiah Yeshua you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah.
As such, we ought to take this covenant as serious as anything else we do in this life as a believer.
Then at Sinay the people stated in Shemos 19:8.
8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that Yehovah has spoken we will do. And Moshe returned the words of the people to Yehovah.
Up to this point there really was not a binding agreement between Yehovah and the Nation of Yisrael. However, going forward things were about to change. To this date in Sinay, the Children of Yisrael were not held accountable for any of their indiscretions. This is about to change.
Believe Moshe Forever
Believe Moshe Forever
What occurs at Sinay is significant not only for the covenant, but because there are eternal consequences. This is something that many ignore today. We all like to claim that God is consistent and never changes, but do we actually put that to practice?
Yehovah states in Shemos 19:9.
9 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Behold (hinneh), I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you for ever. And Moshe told the words of the people to Yehovah.
Yehovah said that He would speak with Moshe and the people would believe Moshe forever. This means that Moshe’s words and prophecy in the Torah are indisputable. Torah, the scroll recorded by Moshe is the very foundation of the Faith of Scriptures.
It would seem if one does not believe Moshe’s words, then they are denying Moshe and all other prophecies that flowed from Moshe. The simplicity of this is if anything disagrees with what Moshe wrote, it is error. The arrogance people have toward Moshe is mind boggling. How can one believe in anything that disputes the inerrant words of Torah and claim to follow Scriptures? This explains Yeshua’s statement in Yochanan 5:46-47.
46 For had you believed Moshe, you would have believed Me. For he wrote of Me. 47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words?
Now there are believers that would claim to believe Moshe, but also claim we do not have to follow Moshe. One must follow to believe something. Even Yeshua would question their faith, Luke 6:46.
46 And why call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
If you believe, then you would obey. If you say that you believe, but it does not apply your are deceiving yourself. And every day you believe such things, it is a stronger delusion.
It is essential that we observe Moshe’s Words as Paul told us in Romans 7:6.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not the oldness of the letter.
We are to observe the Torah in the newness of the Spirit, so that we could fulfill Romans 8:4.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We are to fulfill the righteousness of Torah. This means we must be led of the Spirit and not some opinion of someone else. We must carefully examine all we do to ensure it fulfills the intent of all 66 books of the Bible. We ought not to do what we do out of convenience or to align ourselves with a church doctrine that might possibly conflict with Moshe.
When God returns that will be of issue. Not because I say, because Yeshua stated one cannot believe Him if they do not believe Moshe. Based on Yeshua’s words, walking in the Righteousness of Torah is what validates one’s belief. Belief should result in action.
Sanctified for the Third Day
Sanctified for the Third Day
Shemos 19:10-11
10 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Go to (el) the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11 and be ready for the third day. For the third day Yehovah will come down for eyes (ayin) of all the people upon Mount Sinay.
Yehovah told Moshe to sanctify the people for on the third day they would see Yehovah with their own eyes. This will happen in the future. Except it will not be the third physical day. It will be as Peter stated in 2 Peter 3:8.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The first two days is two thousand years. So on the third day after two thousand years, all will see Yehovah, Revelation 1:7.
7 Behold, He comes with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they which pierced Him. And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
So we will all see Him, but what is the point if one is to be punished. That may not be true. Peter has more to say 2 Peter 3:9.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
It seems that Yehovah is not as willing as mankind is to ship everyone off to hell. Besides there is no one in hell today anyway. Again, Peter tells us in 2 Peter 2:9.
9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment (krisis) to be punished.
Based on Peter’s one statement, there is no one in hell today. That would be punishment before trial. Today most people would not do that, yet many think God would. And what would be the point to send people to hell only to send them back to hell again. Possibly there is more to this. We ought not to be so quick to condemn those who God is not willing that any should perish. This should cause people to think.
Besides, on the third day we are to be sanctified. The instructions for sanctification are in Torah. If someone believes in Torah and does not practice Torah, then they will not be sanctified in the future to come. It may not be only non-believers who need to worry. At least they claim not to believe in God. They may be in a better position than many based on Revelation 3:15-16.
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would you were cold or hot. 16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of My mouth.
Hot is someone who has gone through the Fires of Baptism in this lifetime. Cold is one who denies God. This may actually leave people who claim to be believers, but are not on fire to have some work to do in this lifetime. One cannot sit idly by and expect everything to work out smoothly. One is most prepared for the future if they place themselves on the altar of Romans 12:1.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, your reasonable service.
This may not be everybody who claims to be a believer. Many may find that the third day arrived too soon for them.
There were a couple of other things that had to be done, Shemos 19:12.
12 And you shall set bounds to the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, go up into the mount, or touch the border of it. Whosoever touches the mount shall be surely put to death.
There was a boundary that could not be crossed. Mainly because many were not sanctified to the proper level. In the future, many will discover they may not get the audience with God they hoped for. Mainly because they too were not properly sanctified in righteousness.
The last things the people were to do is in Shemos 19:14-15.
14 And Moshe went down from the mount to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 And he said to the people, Be ready against the third day. Come not at women (ishshah).
Two other things they were to do was wash their clothes and stay away from women. Washing their clothes is figurative of our righteousness, Revelation 7:14.
14 And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Those that came out of the great tribulation are believers that did not formerly walk in righteousness. But come the Millennium, they will.
Staying away from women is figurative for not having relationships with the Harlot. If an individual has not walked in righteousness or has been observing Harlot practices, they may find that the third day will get a little hot. But these will not be the fires of hell, these will be the fires of Baptism to cleanse them of unrighteousness. But why wait, no time better than the present.
Third Day of the Covenant
Third Day of the Covenant
Shemos 19:16
16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were voices (qol) and lightnings, and a thick (kaved) cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the shofar exceeding strong (chazaq); so that all the people that in the camp trembled.
On the morning of the third day, the Children of Yisrael could hear voices and shofar on the mountain. So great was the activity on the mountain, the people trembled. Moshe brought the people to meet Yehovah, their Redeemer. Yeshayahu speaks of a similar occurrence in the future to come, Yeshayahu 33:2-6.
2 Yehovah, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. You be their arm every morning, our Yeshua also in the time of trouble. 3 At the voice (qol) of the multitude (hamon) the people fled; at the lifting up of Yourself the nations were scattered. 4 And Your spoil shall be gathered the gathering of the caterpillar. As the running to and fro of locusts shall He run upon them. 5 Yehovah is exalted; for He dwells on high. He has filled Tziyyon with judgment and righteousness. 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of Your times, strength of Yeshua. The fear of Yehovah His storehouse (otzar).
Shemos 19 is a foreshadow of what is occurring in the throne room of Yehovah, Revelation 4:5.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices. And seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
In the future once again, the people will be presented before God.
As Yehovah had stated earlier, the people would see Him speak with Moshe, Shemos 19:19-20.
19 And when the voice of the shofar sounded long, and stronger (chazeq) exceedingly (meod), Moshe spoke, and Redeemer answered him by a voice. 20 And Yehovah came down upon Mount Sinay, on the top of the mount. And Yehovah called Moshe to the top of the mount; and Moshe went up.
All the people saw that Moshe was Yehovah’s prophet. There was one thing Moshe had to be reminded of, Shemos 19:21.
21 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through to Yehovah to gaze, and many of them perish.
Moshe had to ensure that the people did not break through the boundary. Although they trembled, some would have tried to take a closer look. For many, this would be unwise. They did not have the proper level of sanctification and righteousness.
Oddly enough, Yehovah stated in Shemos 19:22.
22 And let the priests also, which come near to Yehovah, sanctify themselves, lest Yehovah break forth upon them.
Up to this point there were no designated or anointed priests. This was referring to a future event that would be seen by all. Those who would be designated in the Priest class in the Millennium.
Even stranger is what Moshe stated in Shemos 19:23.
23 And Moshe said to Yehovah, The people cannot come up to Mount Sinay. For You charged us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
Moshe was foolish in his statement. It was as if Moshe believed in the obedience of the people not to cross the line as opposed to the understanding of Yehovah.
Finally in Shemos 19:24-25.
24 And Yehovah said to him, Away, get you down, and you shall come up, you, and Aharon with you. But let not the priests and the people break through to come up to Yehovah, lest He break forth upon them. 25 So Moshe went down to the people, and spoke to them.
Moshe was to go down and speak to the people. He would later bring Aharon with him up the mountain. When both of them would return is not stated.
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