Day 20 – Exodus: Israel’s at Mount Sinai

Reading: Exodus 20:22 to Exodus 40:38

“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.” Exodus 24:7 NLT

While Israel encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, God further gave regulations (the 613 Mitzvot, or the Mosaic laws) for their communal living as a nation. These are the narrative expansion of the 10 Commandments as well as governmental for the rule of the nation.

In Exodus 23 God gives them 3 annual festivals in honor of Him:

• Festival of unleavened bread

• Festival of the harvest (today known as the Shavuaot/Pentecost)

• Festival of the late harvest/ingathering (today known as the festival of shelters/tabernacles or the Sukkot)

God called Moses back to the summit of Sinai in Exodus 25 giving him specific plans and regulations for the building of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, Priestly attire and everything needed for His holy dwelling. No detail was spared. God instructed everything from the measurements, colours, and materials to use. He even gifted Bezalel and Oholiab with special skills to oversee and construct each item with divine understanding.

Sadly, after their solemn word to uphold everything the Lord has commanded, Israel sinned in the absence of Moses and built an idol. A lot can be learned from the laws and instructions to understand God’s heart and for us to grow closer to Him in a relationship.

 Prayer: Father, thank You for all the laws given to Moses so we can learn and understand the righteousness You require from us to live according to Your Word. Help me not to see it as laws but as words of love to guide me closer to You. Amen.