PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Exodus 22-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.” (Exodus 24:17)
God related very differently to the people of Israel than He does today.
Although Jesus reveals the glory of God, we experience it very differently.
“You have not come to a mountain that is burning with fire.” (Hebrews 12:18)
God’s desire was not to relate to humans as unapproachable fire, but as loving friend.
Our sinful, selfish nature make God’s glorious goodness like fire to us.
Jesus reunites us to God as His friends by stepping into the consuming fire for us.
The covenant with Moses was temporary, put in place to prepare the world for Jesus.
He has made a new covenant (relationship) with us, the old one is obsolete (Hebrews 8:13).
We do not need to stay away from God because of sin; we MAY approach God with Jesus.
We relate to God through Jesus, not the Law; He teaches and helps us to do God’s will.
Jesus teaches us the deeper purpose of OT laws – justice, mercy, compassion, goodness.
Jesus still wants us to be holy, devoted to God and loving towards people.
Jesus still wants us to treat people with justice and mercy… even more than the Law.
It is not by following OT laws, but by following Jesus that we learn how to do this.
PRAYER
Lord, You have changed the way I experience God. Replace the fire of fear with the feeling of friendship, and help me to love God and people like You did!
I see God as a protective Father shaping the people to act justly and to punish wickedness. I see his hand of protection for the people and He promises a future – even in how He tells them they will receive the land – so that it is no overrun by wild animals – but a section at a time in keeping with His people’s takeover of the promise land. And I see the affirmation of leadership – so that a bunch of slaves is now being shaped into a nation with set laws and ordinances – with judges and leaders firmly in place – and the right worship of God – with festivals and stewardship ordinances for the protection of the land. I am thankful that today, God writes his will on my heart through the gift of the Holy Spirit. He leads me in the right path and pricks me when I stray! Thanks be to God!
Lord Jesus you are the Word made flesh. That is why we have Christmas
May I bring you to be born in the hearts of many particularly for those people you placed in association with me–my siblings family, classmates, friends, neighbors, co-workers. You are with God and you are God.
Thank you for showing us how to glorify God the Father. Thank that you sent us the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us just like Angel directed and guided the Israelites (Exodus 23:20-22)
How shall we live?
There were many rules/laws for the people to follow to live in relationship to God then. Today, there are but two – love God. Love man. That puts all in the right relationship being a Jesus follower. As far as it depends upon me, I need to live at peace with all mankind. Serve Him. Trust Him. Love Him.
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
2
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
3
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.