Lesson 69 - Senior

Memory Verse

"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6).

Cross References

I The Renewal of the Covenant on Mt. Sinai

1. Moses was commanded to ascend Mt. Sinai alone to have the law of God written on tables of stone once more, [EXO:34:1-4]; [DEU:10:1-4].

2. The Lord showed His approval of Moses once again by giving him a still greater revelation of the divine attributes, as had been previously promised, [EXO:34:5-7]; [EXO:33:19]; [JAM:4:8]; [PS:73:28]; [HEB:10:22].

3. Moses reverently worshiped God and demonstrated his meek and unselfish spirit by using his newly gained additional favour with God to plead the cause of the Israelites, [EXO:34:8-9]; [DEU:10:10-11].

4. God answered Moses' request, making a covenant with the Israelites, the fulfilment of which was conditioned upon their obedience of the Law, [EXO:34:10-11]; [DEU:10:12-22]; [DEU:11:1-32].

II Conditions and Demands of the Covenant

1. The first condition was for absolute and complete allegiance to God, [EXO:34:12-17]; [MAT:22:36-39]; [LUK:14:26-33]; [LUK:5:27-28]; [LUK:18:29-30]; [PHL:3:8].

2. The Feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, the offering and redemption of the first-born, the offering of the first fruits, and the weekly Sabbath were given to aid in keeping the worship of God perpetually before them, [EXO:34:18-28]; [LEV:23:1-44]; [NUM:9:1-14]; [DEU:16:1-17].

III The Relating of the Covenant to the Israelites

1. Moses' face shone with the glory of God because of the long communion with God, which was a testimonial of God's approval of His prophet, [EXO:34:29-30]; [MAT:17:2-3]; [DEU:34:10].

2. Moses, as a faithful minister of God, told all the Israelites the words of the Lord, [EXO:34:31-32]; [ISA:62:6]; [ACT:6:4]; [ACT:20:28]; [1TM:4:6]; [1PE:5:2-4]; [1PE:4:10]; [1CO:4:1-2].

3. Because of the radiance of Moses' countenance it was necessary that he wear a Veil when talking to the Israelites, [EXO:34:33-35]; [2CO:3:7-18].

Notes

What We Can Learn from the Israelites

In the past several lessons we have studied a dark and distressing chapter in the history of the Israelites. While they were on the very slopes of Mt. Sinai they had heard God speak, but had drawn back and refused to let Him write His Law upon their hearts ([PRO:3:3]; [PRO:7:3]; [JER:31:31-34]).

When Moses was long in returning from Mt. Sinai the Israelites turned to idolatry, making and worshiping a golden calf, for which they were severely punished by God. No doubt this punishment was more extensive than was thought by the Israelites at first, for their original repentance was not enough to grant them again all the blessings they had formerly enjoyed. It was necessary for Moses to intercede for them over and over that all these peculiar God-given distinctions might again be theirs. As we trace the dealings of God with the Israelites, from their rejection by Him at the time God first told Moses of their sin of idolatry through to the resumption of their journey to Canaan ([NUM:10:11-13]), we see exemplified some great and solemn truths.

First, we see the seriousness of any rejection of God and of any disobedience to God's Law. Secondly, we see that the logical and ultimate consequence of such rejection, if continued, is God's rejection of the sinner; and that only wholehearted and sincere repentance on the part of the sinner will reverse God's attitude and bring him into favour with God again. Thirdly, we see demonstrated the qualities and characteristics of a true leader, as exemplified in the great man, Moses, who was willing to forsake every thought of his own welfares and intercede for the welfares of those over whom God had placed him. Fourthly, we see how important it is that God's presence be with us at all time; and, also, somewhat of the physical and spiritual blessings the Israelites would have missed had not Moses interceded for them. Fifthly, we see that God tests His people, even His own most carefully selected and schooled, that they might know for sure what is in their own hearts. Sixthly, we see the wonderful fact demonstrated that God will draw near to everyone who draws near to Him, and that each step we make toward Him, whether from the summit of a mountain or the depths of a valley, will bring us a better revelation of His great name and His glorious attributes. Seventhly, we see the conditions on which our covenant relations with God are made and preserved: unfailing allegiance and devotion, unquestioning obedience to His revealed will, and faithful attendance upon every means of grace that is given to us.-Lastly, in this summary of some of the truths revealed to us through this chapter of Israelitish history ([1CO:10:1-11]), we see an evidence of the glory that will come to us when we follow God with all our heart, take up the God-given responsibilities we have toward each other, faithfully and unselfishly intercede for the lost in sin, prefer the honour of God's name to any personal glory of our own, and uncompromisingly stand for the Word of God against every one who would fail to uphold all its precepts.

The Testing of Moses

God permits His ministers to be tested many times and in devious ways. One might think that Moses had been schooled sufficiently in the 40 years as an heir to the throne of Egypt together with the period of similar length spent in tending the sheep of his father-in-law in the wilderness. It is true that Moses made great spiritual progress during that time.-He who was able by faith to forsake the treasures of Egypt, choosing rather to dwell with the despised Hebrew slaves because he saw greater blessings in the reproach of Christ than in the temporary and transitory things of the world, learned a great lesson of discipline in the desert. For one thing, he learned to follow God and not to run ahead of the divine will. And that is a lesson that requires more than 40 years for many people to learn!

But the test that Moses was subjected to at this time was one far different from any he had had in Egypt or in the wilderness. It was a test, the surmounting of which showed the true spirit that was in Moses: the spirit of perfect meekness and humility, the spirit of the true love for God, and the desire to see God honoured above everything else.

When the Israelites murmured against Moses at Rephidim because there was no water for them to drink, they said, "Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt" (Exodus 17:3). When they asked Aaron to make them a golden calf they also referred to Moses as the one who had brought them out of the land of Egypt ([EXO:32:1]). Moses accepted such statements as an indication of the condition of their rebellious hearts. They had turned away from God and His leadership. Moses reminded them that their complaints were not directed against him, but against God.

But when God told Moses that the Israelites had corrupted themselves and resorted to idolatry, God Himself called the people Moses' people and said that Moses had brought them out of Egypt. God asked that Moses let Him alone so that He might, in His wrath, utterly destroy them and make a nation from the posterity of His faithful servant Moses. God could have done this without breaking His covenant with Abraham, because Moses was a descendant of Abraham, and a nation founded upon Moses would still be descendants of Abraham.

But Moses was not like many who would eagerly accept such an opportunity to become the father of a nation, that men of all ages might look upon them in respect and honour. Moses thought more of the honour of God's name than of any personal honour of himself. We have seen that he reminded God of what the Egyptians would say and of the reproach such an action would bring against the name of God.

However, the test was not yet over.-God repented of His momentary purpose to destroy the people, and gave Moses instructions to lead them into the Promised Land because of the covenant He had made with Abraham. But God said He would not go with them because of their sin and evil hearts. He promised to send an angel before them to drive out the hostile inhabitants of the land, but there would be no divine Presence to go with them as they journeyed there.

Moses knew the hearts of the Israelites. He also knew the hopelessness of any venture unless God was in it, unless God's presence was there all the time. He interceded still further with God for the Israelites, reminding God of the intimate relationship that he, personally, had with God. "If I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight and consider that this nation is thy people." He was asking not only for guidance, help, and strength for himself but was asking that the Israelites again be adopted by God and again taken for His own people.

"Wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us?-So shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. "Moses was a true leader, a great intercessor, and a faithful man of God! He was not led aside from the God-given responsibility by human pride or by a fleshly desire for fame and honour. His responsibility before God was to lead the Israelites into Canaan, not only as a nation of people but as a nation of God's own people! He did not let anything turn him from his task.

Even though God repeatedly referred to the Israelites as Moses' people Moses continually reminded God that they were His people and that none but God alone had brought them out of Egypt. Moses wanted it known that the miracles were not his, even though they came about after his rod was extended. The people might easily have believed that Moses had some supernatural power, as people of all ages have always been prone to discount the miracles of God and attribute them to some unseen power of man or working of nature. But Moses would not let that thought be held by anyone for one moment; and at every suggestion of it, even when God allowed it to come as a test to him, Moses would immediately rectify the statement and let it be known that the Israelites were God's people, that God had brought them out of Egypt, and that the miracles and wonders they had seen were performed by God's hand. [See [EXO:32:7], [EXO:32:11], [EXO:32:31], [EXO:32:34]; [EXO:33:1], [EXO:33:12-13], [EXO:33:16]; [EXO:34:10], [EXO:34:27]; [NUM:10:11-13], [NUM:10:33-36].]

The Renewed Covenant

When the testing of Moses was finished and when the Israelites had returned to God in penitence, repenting of the sin of idolatry ([EXO:33:4]), God made Himself known to Moses in a much greater way than ever before. But Moses was not content, and stood upon his increased favour with God and asked still greater blessings for the Israelites, demonstrating still further his great unselfish spirit. This resulted, as we have seen, in the promise that God would cause His goodness to pass before Moses and that He would proclaim the mighty name of Jehovah before this humble, yet forceful, leader of Israel.

At God's time Moses was called to the Mount again, this time to bring two tables of stone with him upon, which God would again write the commandments. It was while Moses was in the Mount for this period of 40 days that he received the most sublime experience that mortal man has ever received. There, during that time, the name of the Lord was proclaimed before Moses. There this man of God came into a better knowledge of who God was, what He meant to man, and what He would do for those who feared Him.

When Moses returned from Mt. Sinai he told the Israelites all that the Lord had spoken to him on Mt. Sinai ([EXO:34:32]), and it was there that Israel had their earliest insight into the divine attributes. They found that God is not at one time just, and at another merciful. They found that He is not at one time wise, and at another good. They found that He is at all times just, merciful, wise, and good. They came to the realisation that all His perfections are present and operative in Him at all times. They first knew Jehovah as the self-existent One who purposed to deliver His people with a mighty hand ([EXO:6:1]), but now they came to know Him as a living Saviour who could and would forgive their sins if they sincerely repented, and a just God who could and would eternally punish them if they did not repent.

The Importance and Rewards of Intercession

We realise that nothing can stop God's plan, no power of earth or hell being strong enough to retard God's workings. And we know that God would have worked out His plan in spite of man, if He could not work through man; still one cannot help pondering the possible outcome if Moses had not been eager to glorify God rather than to accept worldly honour for himself. The angel of the Lord would have gone before the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites, and the people would have struggled on in their own human weakness towards that land, but God would not have gone with them. The tables of stone might never have been rehewed and the finger of God might never have traced upon them the glorious precepts of divine will. Perhaps the Tabernacle would never have been constructed in the wilderness, and the sacrifices offered there for the forgiveness and cleansing of sin would never have been presented. The incense of praise then could not have been burned upon the golden altar, nor the Shekinah have dwelt between the cherubims.

If Moses had not been faithful to God in this manner, the overwhelming power present at the setting up of the Tabernacle would never have visited Israel, neither would the many evidences of God's leadership been present during those 40 years. An example to those who may be tempted to rebel against God's leaders would have been lost, because there would have been no Power present in Israel to smite down Korah, Dathan, and Abiram when they rebelled. A great example would have been lost to us if we could not now read of the report of the spies and of the evil consequences that followed the Israelites when they attempted to go into the land against the will of God.

Much depends upon our faithful intercession for God's will in our lives, and in the lives of those who are influenced by us. We can thank God that Moses stood the test! We can thank God that the great covenant was renewed! We can also thank God for other intercessors, down through the line of sacred history to the present day, who would rather see God's cause prosper and God's name honoured than anything else in the whole world.

Faithful intercession may, and will, cost us something, but it has its own rich rewards. Moses received a revelation of God that no one else received at that time, for he ascended the mountain alone on this occasion. And because he was in such long communion with God the skin of his face shone with a God-likeness that the earthly-minded Israelites could not bear to look upon. Probably Moses appeared a little as he did at the Transfiguration when he stood with Jesus on top of a mountain at a later time ([LUK:9:30-31]). This radiance showed the Israelites the spiritual exaltation of their leader. It also shows us that God may impart His own glory to those to whom it is His will to show great favour ([EXO:33:19]). It teaches us that long communion and intimate fellowship transfigures the child of faith into the very image of the heavenly God ([1JN:3:1-3]).

Questions

1. Why was it necessary that the tables of stone be reconstructed and rewritten?

2. Tell of the great test that Moses was put to, as we have studied in recent lessons, and how he proved true to God through it.

3. How long did Moses fast and pray on Mt. Sinai this time?

4. What great blessing and divine revelation was given to Moses because of his constancy in prayer?

5. What was the part that the Israelites must do to keep the covenant made on Mt. Sinai?

6. Why did God's plan for the Israelites necessitate the destruction of the nations of Canaan?

7. Name the three great occasions in the year when all of the Israelites men appeared before the Lord.

8. What was the purpose in these three great events?

9. What did the shining of Moses' face signify?

10. Tell the different characteristics of Moses' life, that made him such a wonderful spiritual leader and minister.