Building a People of God with Unusual Characters: Moses, Part IV: The Law-Giving Prophet

We began Moses’ story as he was set adrift in the Nile and soon adopted by a daughter of Pharaoh, then suddenly we had Moses as a man who killed an Egyptian for mistreating a Hebrew slave. Of course, there are eyes everywhere, and Moses got out of Egypt quickly, ending up in Midian, some distant cousins.

Moses settled down to a shepherd’s life, with his wife Zipporah, and their son was named “Hey, I’m Not From Here!”.

Then we had the burning bush where Moses discovered the person of God through voice of God, sending him on mission to free the Israelites from their oppression as slaves.

After a 2 less than a dozen plagues had hit Egypt by God’s design when Pharaoh would not listen to Moses to let the Israelites leave, so finally it became too costly to keep them.

They left, 600,000 fighting-age men, all the gold and silver they could carry, in such a hurry the bread didn’t have time to rise.

>>>Then through the sea. Then discovering manna. Finding water from rocks. And on it went until the people were....

Finally At the Mountain of God

Exodus 19:1–2 CSB

1 In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness. 2 They traveled from Rephidim, came to the Sinai Wilderness, and camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain.

Moses Goes to Speak With God

Exodus 19:3–4 CSB

3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

How to Become A People of God

Exodus 19:5–6 CSB

5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

God Will Prove Moses Is His Prophet

Exodus 19:9 CSB

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord,

The Israelites Hear God Speak to Moses

Exodus 19:16 CSB

16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn, so that all the people in the camp shuddered.

Exodus 19:17–18 CSB

17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

Exodus 19:19 CSB

19 As the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.

Ten Commandments Spoken For All To Hear

Exodus 20:1–2 CSB

1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

One: No Other Gods

Two: No Idols

Three: Hallow My Name

Four: Remember the Sabbath

Five: Honor Your Parents

Six: Don’t Murder

Seven: Don’t Commit Adultery

Eight: Don’t Steal

Nine: Don’t Lie About Your Neighbor

Ten: Don’t Set Your Eyes On What Isn’t Yours

God’s Voice Is Too Much for Israel

Exodus 20:18 CSB

18 All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance.

Israel Wants A Priest Instead

Exodus 20:19 CSB

19 “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”

The People Cannot Survive the Voice of the Holy One

There’s A Reason God Spoke

Exodus 20:20 CSB

20 Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not sin.”

The Israelites Stand Back

Exodus 20:21 CSB

21 And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the total darkness where God was.

God’s Message Through Moses

Take Yaweh God Seriously

Exodus 20:22–23 CSB

22 Then the Lord told Moses, “This is what you are to say to the Israelites: You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 Do not make gods of silver to rival me; do not make gods of gold for yourselves.

Exodus 22:20 CSB

20 “Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the Lord alone, is to be set apart for destruction.

Moses’ Role As Prophet

Moses is not the law-making prophet: Only God makes the laws.

Moses is assigned to speak God’s words to God’s People

Through the Prophet of God, the Laws of God are forming the People of God

Moses Was An Unusual Character

A condemned child

A castaway

Adopted

Raised by Egyptians

Chose Israel Instead

Murdered and Egyptian

Became a Shepherd

Heard God through the Angel of Fire in the bush

Challenged God’s choice of him

Made excuses about why he couldn’t

Went to Pharaoh with Aaron

Proclaimed the Plagues

Led Israel out of Egypt

Led Israel through the seabed

Brought Israel to Sinai

Brought Israel to God

Became the Prophet of God to the People

Brought God’s Laws to God’s People

Moses Became Most Important Person In Israel’s Story