11/2/16
Exodus 20:1-21
Moses leads the people out of Egypt, set free by God’s miraculous power over Pharaoh. They cross the
Red Sea and are finally free and ready to reestablish themselves as God’s people. They head into the wilderness and experience God’s continued provision, as he sends Manna and Quail for eating and even supplies water from a rock. Finally, God calls Moses from Mount Sinai and tells him that it’s time for the Israelites to be “consecrated” - set apart as his chosen family. This “setting apart” entails a specific treaty or
covenant that God will make with them, summarized in the famous 10 Commandments. These are more
than universal moral codes– they are intended to be distinctives that allow the whole world to recognize
God’s people.
Observation notes:
Questions:
Why is God, if he’s so powerful, God isn’t worried for his own sake, although he makes it clear that he deserves all of the foso worried about other gods,
cus and praise, and is even “jealous” God (meaning that any worship of other gods/items will
idols, or using his name in vain? be cause for negative action on his part). God is adamant about worshiping and respecting
Why does God promise to hold God is making the case for how dangerous and disastrous a lack of commitment to him will
the sins of Israel against their
be—it will have repercussions for hundreds of years (which we see come true). However,
children for four generations? time and time again he proves that his mercy trumps this statement, and he is willing to forWhy does he move straight
from commandments about
himself to a commandment
Parents are intended to be the authoritative representation of God for children, meaning that
they should reflect his love, care, discipline, and devotion. Respecting parents led to a strong
social structure for the new nation, and showed a respect for God’s own authority.
Why is coveting so bad? It
doesn’t seem as dangerous to
just WANT something.
God knows that the biggest problem isn’t people’s actions—it’s their damaged hearts that
are prone to evil. By forbidding the act of coveting, God is helping to protect his people from
the first traces of powerful temptation.
Why were the people afraid of
God? Was that what he wanted?
Moses tells us right in vs. 20, “The fear of [God] will keep you from sinning!” We aren’t always comfortable with the idea of fearing God, but in this context it’s as important as a student “fearing” the punishment their parent might hand down for breaking a family rule or
Would the people die if God
spoke directly to them?
Moses is allowed to speak to God without dying, but his encounters with God always leave
him greatly affected, even to the point where his face GLOWS afterward. The people were
wise to stay farther away from God, because God’s awesomeness can be too much for human beings. Someday, however, we are promised that we’ll be directly in God’s presence
Suggested: God isn’t messing around. His promises should be met with full devotion to his commands. God has a standard of
right and wrong that, though possibly different from cultural expectations, would set us apart as his people.
Follow-up notes: