October 19, 2020

The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.  From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt.  After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance.  God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance. 

Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.

Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.

Exodus 19

Israel at Mount Sinai

1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.”

When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • God has brought the people to the wilderness of Sinai where they will camp, and God will deliver his covenant to them.  What is the significance of God telling Moses to remind the people of what he has done for them?
  • The people were slaves in Egypt.  But what does God call them now (v. 6)?
  • How is what God has done for you like what God did for the Israelites?
  • Consider the words of 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Prayer: Thank you Father for calling me out of sin and into your forever family.  Thank you for choosing me, and for adopting me as your child. I am among the people of your own possession and I will proclaim the excellencies of you.  Thank you for calling me out of darkness and into your marvelous light! In Jesus’ name, amen.

9 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-October 19th”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for the gift of salvation that you have given to me and many others. It is an honor to be chosen as one of your children. I will follow your commandments and proclaim that you are Lord of my life always. Lead me and guide me today in all that I do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

    1. Gracias padre por rescatarme del mundo y la oscuridad en que vivía gracias por tu misericordia tu luz y tu gran amor sobre tus hijos gracias padre porque eres un padre poderoso amoroso y omnipotente Gracias por tus maravillas gracias por ser mi padre te amo te necesito cada momento de mi vida gracias por la familia que me has dado bendícela y bendice mi iglesia tu palabra sobretodo el pastor todas mis amistades que yo pueda ser de bendición para todos y te pido mi Dios por todas tus naciones porque sé que tienes el control de todo como hiciste con el pueblo de Egipto libéranos de esta pandemia del COVID y de todo pecado necesitamos tu perdón en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén y amén ?

  2. Heavenly Father, thank You for adopting us into Your forever family. We are blessed to be called Your children. May we invest our lives and our influence loving others to Jesus!

  4. Thank you Father for the holy spirit that abides in your people. Thank you for the nudging and direction the Holy Spirit gives us. Thank you for allowing our prayers to come to your ‘mountain’ and be transformed by your spirit – fitting for the King of King and Lord of Lords. Praise you for your direction and leading. May you be glorified by the work of my hands!

    Please Lord hear the prayers of your saints. Heal those who call on you for healing. Comfort those who are mourning or lonely. Place people on their paths to encourage them. We call upon you to heal our Land and guide our elections to give you honor and glory.

  5. It’s interesting that the word “consecrate,” is used 4 times in this chapter (vv.10, 14, 22, 23).
    Lord, thank you for preparing me for your presence through your covenant. Thank you for revealing yourself to me, allowing me to know you personally (God’s promised covenant relationship in Ex. 6:7) through your word, Jesus and your Spirit that empowers my responsibility to obey you (Ex. 19:8). I don’t want to sell myself short and not receive the blessing of your promised relationship through my obedience.

  6. In this I see a template on how we should come to meet God in worship. We need to consecrate ourselves before we come to worship. We need to be serious and not frivolous. There needs to be an awe, fear and wonderment of God. We need to see Him in all of His power and glory. Worship should not be a social meeting as a club.

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