About seven weeks after the Exodus, Israel arrives in the wilderness of Sinai and came to “the mountain.” Presumably, this is where God had appeared to Moses at the beginning of the book. At this point, we can see that God’s promise to deliver his people from their bondage to Pharaoh has been fulfilled. When God first revealed himself to Moses through the burning bush, he said that Moses would lead the people out of Egypt and they “would serve God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:12). But what does it mean to serve God? We are about to find out. Chapter 19 shows great preparation for a sacred meeting on the mountain top. All of the people were told to wash themselves and prepare themselves for a meeting with God. Only Moses will be allowed to go up to the top of the mountain (with Aaron for some portion of it) because the holiness of God is a deadly threat to mortals.
What God reveals on the mountain is referred to the “Law of Moses” or the “Mosaic Law” and forms the foundation for life for the people of Israel. Now, the Mosaic Law is laid out in many parts of the first books of the Bible. Much of the second half of Exodus, all of Leviticus, and parts of Numbers unfold this law. Then, at the end of his life, Moses summarizes these commandments in the book of Deuteronomy (the title means “second (giving of the) law.”) Because this 90-day study focuses on the history books in the Bible, we will not spend a great deal of time on the law. That is a study for another day. For our purposes, we will spend just a few days looking at some of the commandments in the law of Moses which are found in Exodus. At this point, we will be a little more selective in our reading so that we can stay on pace to finish our tour of the story of Scripture before Easter.
Here are the initial observations that we want to make:
- Through the law, God shows us how Israel should serve him. Obedience to God is not something humans invent for themselves.
- The law was given after God’s work of salvation for Israel from the bondage of Egypt. This point is emphasized in the prelude to the ten commandments, which says, “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Israel did not earn salvation by obeying this law, but they were called to obey the law because God had saved them.
- God’s holy character is a danger to humans. That is why the boundaries were set up around the mountain. If we want to know what it looked like for them to live a consecrated life, we look at the Mosaic Law.
- In his earthly ministry, Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses and it no longer serves as the definitive guide for the Christian life as it did for the life of Israel before Christ. We can still learn from the law, but we are not under the law as a system of life. (See the book of Galatians.)
- While there are many parts of the Mosaic Law at least some of the commandments are understood to so directly reflect the character of God himself they continue to guide our moral decisions. The Ten Commandments are understood to function that way, as they are each repeated in the New Testament as a guide for Christian living.
Reflect: Your obedience cannot earn your salvation but, the Ten Commandments can show us quite a bit about the Christian life. Historically, they have been understood to function in 3 ways (“Three uses of the Moral Law”.) First, they show us wisdom about how the world works and demonstrate a basis for flourishing human life for all people. Second, they reveal our sinful hearts and drive us to deeper repentance. Third, they show Christians how to live a life of thankful obedience in the power of the Spirit. Simply look at the Ten Commandments again. How do they reveal your sin? How do they call you to a life of greater faithfulness?
Connect: Paul tells us that the law is good, but that it reveals our sin and is no longer meant to be the guiding system for the Christian life. Admittedly, the New Testament treatment of the Mosaic Law is a field of study which is complex and often confusing. Let’s simply look at one NT reference in which Paul highlights the way that the Ten Commandments reveal our sin and highlight our need for a savior.
Romans 8:7,24-25 If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet”… Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!