Day 33 · Part 3: Out of Egypt
The Mountain of God
In the Story
In context
In the third month after leaving Egypt, Israel camps in front of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–2), the mountain where God spoke to Moses from the bush and promised that Israel would serve him there (3:1, 12; Acts 7:30). God reminds them, “I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself,” and offers to make them “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (19:4–6). On the third day the mountain smokes and shakes, with thunder, lightning, a thick cloud and a trumpet growing louder and louder (19:16–19).
Then God speaks the words later called “the ten commandments” (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13), beginning, “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt” (20:2). Moses repeats them in Deuteronomy 5. Christians number them in slightly different ways. The people are afraid and ask Moses to speak to them instead, and Moses goes near “the thick darkness where God was” (20:18–21).
He found him in a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness. He surrounded him. He cared for him. He kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, he spread abroad his wings, he took them, he bore them on his feathers. Yahweh alone led him. There was no foreign god with him.
Deuteronomy 32:10–12 · At Sinai God reminds Israel that he carried them “on eagles’ wings” (Exodus 19:4); Moses’ later song pictures God as an eagle bearing its young on its feathers.
For families
One commandment is about parents: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land” (Exodus 20:12). Paul later calls it “the first commandment with a promise” (Ephesians 6:2). The Sabbath rest was for the whole household, sons and daughters too (20:10).
What do you think it looks like to honor your father and mother, when you are eight and when you are eighty?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Exodus 19
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Exodus 20
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A hymn for today
Trust and Obey · words by John H. Sammis
- When we walk with the LordIn the light of His word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will,He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a shadow can rise,Not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt nor a fear,Not a sigh nor a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a burden we bear,Not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief nor a loss,Not a frown nor a cross,But is blest if we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- But we never can proveThe delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows,And the joy He bestows,Are for all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet,Or we'll walk by His side in the way;What He says we will do,Where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.