And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. Exodus 19:16-17

Here we see an amazing event of God coming down to meet Moses, now the first thing that sticks out to me , is this happened on the 3rd day. As we know the 3rd day is when our Lord rose from the dead, breaking the barrier between God and Man. I think its no mistake, that God came down on the 3rd down at Mt Sinai

Notice the Israelites’ reaction, they were trembling at the awesomeness of God. Imagine the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth coming down! I think sometimes we minimize God and put him in a box, read the details of these scriptures and see how amazing He is

And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. Exodus 19:18-19

Some translations state when God spoke it was like Thunder, imagine hearing the voice of The Great I AM, that spoke the planets and universe into existence. This brings a whole new understanding to Fear of God, as we realize how small we are compared to our Creator

And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. Exodus 19:20-22

God is warning Moses not to allow anyone to come near Him or they will perish? Why? Because God is Holy and we are sinful people. This is why Jesus said “Nobody comes to the Father except through him” (John 14:6) Nobody can come to God unless your cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ for your sins

Thats why when Jesus was on the cross he said “It Is Finished” meaning the veil has been torn. The barrier that separated God and Man was removed. Because of Jesus Christ we can have a relationship with our Heavenly Father Amen!

And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Exodus 19:3-4

Now the Israelites have reached Mt Sinai, here things are going to change forever, not just for the Israelites but also for the entire world. Why? Because here God is going to hand down his Moral Law, the Ten Commandments. This will display the holy nature of God and the sinful nature of man

God is now talking directly to Moses, and reminding Him everything he did for the Israelites. How he delivered them from the slavery of Egypt, how he carried the Israelites like an Eagle through the Wilderness. God has always been with His people

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.  Exodus 19:5-6

What do the Israelites have to do to be saved? Just listen to God, its that simple, but they continually fail just as we do. Just like a parent, God just wants us to trust and listen to Him. He knows whats the best for us, but our stubborn and rebellious hearts lead us astray continually

And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Exodus 19:7-8

The Israelites said they would listen to God, so Moses following Gods instructions to prepare the Israelites to meet God at Mt Sinai. Notice also, Moses is the mediator between God and the Israelites, just as Jesus is our Mediator between Us and The Father!

And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. Exodus 19:9-11

I think its interesting the the Israelites will see The Lord on the 3rd Day, is this a foreshadow of the Resurrection of Christ? I believe so, notice they will only see God if they sanctify themselves. How do we sanctify ourselves? By becoming Born Again through Jesus Christ! Are you ready to meet The Lord? Amen!

And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. Exodus 18:14-16

Moses Father in Law, Jethro, came to visit him. Jethro saw all that God had done for Moses and the Israelites and praised and worshipped The Lord. However as a Father figure, Jethro was concerned that Moses was going to burn himself out. He saw everything Moses was doing and advised him to share the responsibilities with others

I think we can use this as the model for the Church also, just as the Israelites were not only Moses, the Church is not just a Pastor or One person. Its a community of believers. We need to share the responsibilities and gift God has given us. Nobody is built to handle everything on there own

And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: Exodus 18:17-19

Even though Jethro was Moses father in law, He was Moses father figure. Its important to have those Father Figures or mentors in our lives. The wisdom of an elder , just as Paul was a Spiritual Father to Timothy. When we think of Moses, we think of a Bible Hero, a great prophet. But Jethro was being honest with Moses, your going to burn yourself out, you need to change!

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: Exodus 18:20-21

Moses was his own greatest enemy, like most of us. He had the wisdom from God handed down to him, now he needs to share this wisdom and teach others Gods ways. Its our human nature to want to control everything and take over, however this is not a sustainable model. What happens when Moses finally dies? We must always prepare the next generation to take over and teach them the ways of God

This is why Church is important, because we are a Body of Believers, the Body of Christ. Its not about one person, its about training and mentoring people, its about raising our children in the way they should go. Amen!

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. Exodus 17:8-9

So since the Israelites went through the plagues, went through the Red Sea, tested God in the wilderness, you would think now the Israelites can sit back and relax for the rest of their lives till the Promise Land. Wrong! God promised us salvation but He never promised us an easy life

The Israelites have their first war, their first test the Amalekites. They dont want these strangers on their land, so they attacked Gods people. This would be a fatal mistake for the Amalekites as God is going to wipe them out from the face of the Earth. In fact if you look through world history, those who attacked Gods people were wiped out from the face of the Earth. Where is the might Egyptian empire? Where is the Roman Empire? Where is the Greek empire? Where is the Nazis? They are all in the graveyard

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:10-11

We are first starting to see Joshua come on to the scene. Joshua will be the predecessor to Moses. One interesting note is Joshua in Hebrew is Yeshua, the same name as our Lord. 

But notice even though Joshua by faith with some other Israelites went to battle the Amalekites, it was God who was actually fighting them. As long as Moses obeyed God, he would fight for them!

But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Exodus 17:12-13

Moses arms were getting tired, but his brother helped to keep them lifted. Dont we all need help from our brothers and sisters when we get weary? By God, Joshua defeated the Amalekites. The Israelites faith made them victorious by God

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi Exodus 17:14-15

Just as God promised, He took care of the Israelites and wiped out the Amalekites. How did Moses respond? He built an altar and worshipped God. How do we respond when God gives us victory? Do we thank God? Do we worship and praise Him? Just as the old hymn “God will take care of You” Amen!