I believe the main reason God wanted his people out of Egypt was to have them to himself. Do I mean that God had selfishness in the "owning" of his people? Does it sound like a good thing? No, it doesn't, as we are not to be selfish. But, God absolutely is selfish regarding his people! He watches over us. He leads us. He becomes angry when we are hurtful to others, especially to another of his own people. This selfishness of God is a good thing. If we had a God that didn't care about us enough to want us to act rightly, it would not be the least bit helpful. God cares; oh, yes, He cares. I think of God as a majestic, ruling mother and a compassionate father. My mother was the compassionate one and my father ruling, but I always believed that they both loved me and they always proved it to me. And maybe that is why I think I understand the many sides of God.
God is also someone who has a plan, a holy plan, for each one of his own, including us, but in the early days, in the early records of God, we find this to be less so, as He dealt with His people as groups mostly, but now and then with individuals, if it helped Him to get the message to the entire body of His own. That is when He chose Moses and also Aaron, as Moses seemed so helpless at first. Now, we begin to see that Moses is to be a teacher for God, teaching the people what the laws and rules are for, and for how they will be of help to a new community.
So, God planned to take his people today to the mountain of God, Mount Sinai, where Moses is to be given the Ten Commandments. Israel is camped in the Desert of Mount Sinai, in front of the mountain. The Lord called to Moses from the mountain, and gave his reasons once again for bringing his people and him out of Egypt. "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. 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, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
(Now here, I want to say a few words. In the beginning, this was God's plan, but many things happened along the way, futuristically, that prevented the Jewish nation to continue to thrive and be the best of the best. Today, since the advent of Jesus Christ and his being known as the Son of God, the Jewish nation is struggling to be what God had intended so long ago. Whose fault is that? The fault rests on all people of all times. The Jewish people after the sins of their greatest king, David, found they could not follow completely the strict laws, although they tried, century after century. The following of the rules did not cover the inhumanity of man, and by that I mean, all humans in the world and their incompleteness. No matter how we struggled to obey completely, the human being is essentially imperfect. And that is why Jesus Christ was sent to us by the Father. God asked Him to die on the cross--to recompense for us, pay for our sinful natures, and cover the need for retribution.)
Onward to the mountain, and the first of the many plans God has given us over the years to become the people he wants us to be.........And God finished his speech to Moses with these words--- "Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people, and after he had given them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. the people all responded together: "We will do everything the Lord has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
But, the Lord wanted to show them his delight in them through a wondrous cloud, and directed Moses to go to the people and consecrate them on that day and the next. "Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Or you will surely die.'" And Moses did as he was told.
And the Lord came to them on the third day when the people had readied themselves. And this is what He said: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of slavery. 1)You shall have no other Gods before me.2) You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 3) You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God is a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 4) You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 5) Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 6)Honor your father and your mother. 7) You shall not commit adultery.8) You shall not steal. 9) You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 10) You shall not covet.
Then the people saw thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke. They trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us by yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." Moses did his best to assure them there was no reason to fear God will hurt them, but God only wants them to respect Him and for them to not be a sinful people.
And the Lord spoke to Moses again, asking him to tell the people: "You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven." And he again repeated the rule of not making other gods of silver or gold. He only wanted an altar of earth where they could bring their burnt offerings.
And at this time God gave to Moses many more rules for the people, to keep them healthy and holy.
These rules were still in effect at the time of Jesus and Jesus himself was brought up with these rules. But when Jesus saw how the priests were using the rules, the smallest ones even down to gnats eyelashes, he knew that the commandments would always be holy, but the many rules, those given by God and those added to over the centuries by the Pharisees and the high priests, were hurting the people of God, as they could not keep them all in purity or in perfection.
This is our story. This is our crime. The people of God are not now or ever have been perfect. But our God does not ask for perfection anymore. Since Jesus came and died in our place, we are as close to perfect as we'll ever be...Providing...and that is a very big word, providing that we know that God comes first, now and always. And those of us who follow Jesus, know God through Jesus. And some even have had the touch of the Father Himself, in a very personal way. Jesus, the Son, is the Father personified. They, or He, whichever gives you comfort, for they are two in One, will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth.
Forgive if I seem like I am preaching, but I guess, in a way, I am. This subject is so near to my heart of hearts, it brings me to tears to think of what all our Lord has had to go through over the centuries to get our attention first and next, our love.
Instead of preaching to you, I wish you were right here to accept my love. You without faces, but with great hearts to keep reading these notes of mine. Believe me, there is much love in each of these words. I hope and pray you have accepted the attention and the love of Jesus Christ, himself.
Forever Friends and Friends in Christ,
Jo INMN
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