Old Testament Studies
The Bible study advances with a new posting every other week (bi-weekly)
The Bible study advances with a new posting every other week (bi-weekly)
Please follow along in your Bible
Please follow along in your Bible
Exodus 19
Exodus 19
At Mount Sinai - The Law versus God's Grace
At Mount Sinai - The Law versus God's Grace
It was only by the grace of God that the children of Israel were delivered from their 430 years of bondage in Egypt. That same grace also enabled them to journey for three months to finally arrive at the Desert of Sinai where they made camp at the foot of the mountain. It was there that God asked them if they would receive the Law and keep His covenants (v.5). The Israelites did not realize at the time, but that their acceptance of the Law was in stark contrast to their acceptance of God’s grace. You see God reminded them: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself” (Exodus 19:4).
It was only by the grace of God that the children of Israel were delivered from their 430 years of bondage in Egypt. That same grace also enabled them to journey for three months to finally arrive at the Desert of Sinai where they made camp at the foot of the mountain. It was there that God asked them if they would receive the Law and keep His covenants (v.5). The Israelites did not realize at the time, but that their acceptance of the Law was in stark contrast to their acceptance of God’s grace. You see God reminded them: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself” (Exodus 19:4).
In both the OT and NT, the eagle is used as a symbol associated with the supremacy and sovereignty of the Lord God Almighty (Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 40:31; Ezekiel 1:10; Revelation 4:7, 12:14). The eagle is admired for its great wings and its ability to soar to all heights. Thus, the eagle stands as an awesome symbol of deity and God’s amazing and infinite grace. God saw Israel helpless and hopeless in their slavery in Egypt and delivered them. He redeemed them by blood. The morning after the “destroyer,” i.e., the angel of death, passed over the houses of the Israelites, the children of Israel plundered the Egyptians of articles of silver, gold, and clothing, and marched out of Egypt. That, too, was only accomplished by the grace of God.
In both the OT and NT, the eagle is used as a symbol associated with the supremacy and sovereignty of the Lord God Almighty (Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 40:31; Ezekiel 1:10; Revelation 4:7, 12:14). The eagle is admired for its great wings and its ability to soar to all heights. Thus, the eagle stands as an awesome symbol of deity and God’s amazing and infinite grace. God saw Israel helpless and hopeless in their slavery in Egypt and delivered them. He redeemed them by blood. The morning after the “destroyer,” i.e., the angel of death, passed over the houses of the Israelites, the children of Israel plundered the Egyptians of articles of silver, gold, and clothing, and marched out of Egypt. That, too, was only accomplished by the grace of God.
Accepting the Law, rather than continuing to rely on God’s grace, was the beginning of the dispensation of the Law. You see, God never gave the Law as a means of salvation. Not one person has ever been saved by keeping the law – even Moses was a murderer and disobedient to God. It was a revelation to the nation of Israel, while living in ideal conditions that they could not keep the Law. So, why then was the Law given? The Apostle Paul answered that question: “It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator” (Galatians 3:19 NKJV). The Law was given to reveal that we are all sinners. However, it was given temporarily until the “Seed” would come. This is the same “Seed,” or “offspring” (NIV), cited by the apostle above – the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul further explained: “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24 NKJV).
Accepting the Law, rather than continuing to rely on God’s grace, was the beginning of the dispensation of the Law. You see, God never gave the Law as a means of salvation. Not one person has ever been saved by keeping the law – even Moses was a murderer and disobedient to God. It was a revelation to the nation of Israel, while living in ideal conditions that they could not keep the Law. So, why then was the Law given? The Apostle Paul answered that question: “It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator” (Galatians 3:19 NKJV). The Law was given to reveal that we are all sinners. However, it was given temporarily until the “Seed” would come. This is the same “Seed,” or “offspring” (NIV), cited by the apostle above – the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul further explained: “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24 NKJV).
The children of Israel responded to Moses: “We will do everything the Lord has said” (Exodus 19:8). In other words, they agreed to be faithful and follow the Lord’s commands. Moses took their answer back to the Lord, and for fifteen hundred years, the nation of Israel demonstrated that they could not keep the Law.
The children of Israel responded to Moses: “We will do everything the Lord has said” (Exodus 19:8). In other words, they agreed to be faithful and follow the Lord’s commands. Moses took their answer back to the Lord, and for fifteen hundred years, the nation of Israel demonstrated that they could not keep the Law.
None of us are able to keep the Law, and we fail miserably in every attempt. Thank God He had another plan in mind. In hindsight, Israel’s commitment to receive God’s Law was a mistake when they realize just how weak they were in their humanity. There is a great distinction between the indulgence of the Law and our acceptance of God’s grace through faith in Him as the supreme sovereign of the universe. Fortunately today, through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, God sends His Spirit to indwell the hearts of every believer to enable and empower them to live lives pleasing to God as they never could before on their own under the Law.
None of us are able to keep the Law, and we fail miserably in every attempt. Thank God He had another plan in mind. In hindsight, Israel’s commitment to receive God’s Law was a mistake when they realize just how weak they were in their humanity. There is a great distinction between the indulgence of the Law and our acceptance of God’s grace through faith in Him as the supreme sovereign of the universe. Fortunately today, through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, God sends His Spirit to indwell the hearts of every believer to enable and empower them to live lives pleasing to God as they never could before on their own under the Law.
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To view previous "Old Testament Studies" posts, click on the "Archives" button.
