Today’s Devotion
Topic: From Rephidim To Mt Sinai
(Self Assessment 175)
Background:
Israel is still travelling, and we are following steadily. Our aim is to understand the challenges that confront them, how they respond to those, and what the Lord says about their response.
We skipped the previous chapter (Exodus 18) where Moses’ father in law, Jethro, visits and helps Moses decentralise his justice system. We skipped because we had much earlier done a comprehensive study on it.
Now, let us follow the trail and join Israel wherever they reached on their journey, and see what the Holy Spirit will teach us for our own journey in this life, unto eternity. Kindly call the family together; it’s time to study the Word of God.
Text: Exodus 19: 1- 8
9 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord. Amen
Questions:
1. Kindly read verse 4 again. What is the Lord implying when He says to Moses, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt”?
2. What does it mean to be carried by the Lord ‘on eagle’s wings’?
3. The Lord said the destination, for carrying Israel on eagle’s wings, was to Himself. What does it mean to have the Lord Himself as your destination?
4. Now in verse 5, the Lord said if Israel would ‘obey Him FULLY and keep His covenant.’ What does it mean to obey the Lord fully? Why would anyone choose to obey Him partially? What does it mean to keep His covenant?
5. If a person or a nation becomes Jehovah’s ‘treasured possession’, although the whole world is His, what are they in for?
6. What does being ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ mean? And how wonderful or otherwise will it be if we could become such for our God and King?
7. In verse 8, Israel said they would do EVERYTHING THE LORD HAS SAID AND MOSES BROUGHT THEIR ANSWER TO GOD. Has it become a covenant therefore? If it is, do you think Israel really pondered over it before responding to it? Please explain your answer.
8. What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
Kindly reply through this same social media platform (WhatsApp/ Facebook). We learn a great deal from the answers you share.
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