Ex. 19

A child was asked to write a book report on the entire Bible.

The Children's Bible in a Nutshell
In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one, but I think He must be a lot older than that.

Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' and someone did..

Then God made the world.
He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden......Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.

Pretty soon all of the early people died off, e xcept for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.

One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.

After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.

God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's stuff.
Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother.

One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.

After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.

After solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.

There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Democrats.

Jesus also had twelve opossums.
The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.

But all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.

Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum.. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.

Todays lesson is on the Children of Israel.

We ended last week with the children of Israel on the banks of the Red Sea - murmering - which got me to thinking they are called the children of Israel right -What are some of the reasons why they were called the “Children Of Israel”?

When they arrived at the shore of the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army approaching, the Israelites were ready to turn back.

After witnessing the miracles of deliverance from the Egyptians, they still complained over everything.

The children of Israel were spiritual infants. They did not understand how God worked or his laws

Did not understand covenant process

Further evidence that testimony does not come from signs or miracles.

They were used to being told every thing that they needed to do - they had been slaves for so long.

Watch the process of how the Lord works to turn the children of Israel into Israel!

LESsoN GOAL: Let’s for the sake of todays lesson look at the contents of these chapters from the eyes of how the Lord worked in the lives of the children of Israel to make the his treasure. By watching how the Lord works in the lives of other I pray that we may see glimpses of how he works in our lives.

As discussed in Lesson 13, after the tenth plague, Pharaoh released the children of Israel and they were led by Moses to the shores of the Red Sea.
◦ After the departure of Israel, Pharaoh had a change of heart and led an army in pursuit of Israel.

Can you image how they must have felt to be in this aitutation. Mountains on both sides, Water in front of you, and the army of the Pharaoh heading at you. What would your thoughts be? Do you suppose it took courage to walk through the parted waters of the red sea?

What principle do you think the Lord is teaching the children of Israel here?
Principle Number One: Recognize that there is a God, he loves them and is in charge of leading them out of Egypt

What was the purpose for leading the children of Israel out of Egypt?

God wanted to renew with them the covenants that he had made with their forefathers.
Liberate them from bondage so they could learn and think for themselves
Bring them to Christ
Bring them to My Sinai where they were to be santified.

READ Exodus 15:22-26

22 so Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23 ¶ And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? [ the people are murmuring, and yet the Lord blesses them Why? This is the beginning of a process, a process of turning them to Chirst, coming to the knowledge on their own that he is, and making them understand that they were brought from Egypt because of the promise the Lord made with Abraham, but what they do now and the blessings that they receive will be based on their own merits not Abrahams]

25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, [the Lord begins to impose individual and corporate covenant relationships upon Israel and they are conditional upon their own merits - that of keeping the statutes that he has given them. So we might say they are learning line upon line how to become his people.] which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

◦ Israelites had short term faith. Only three days after leaving the shores of the Red Sea the people were murmuring about Moses, their prophet.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MURMURER?
▪ A mumbled or private expression of discontent.
▪ To complain in a low tone or in private.

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF MURMURING?
▪ A little complaining may not seem like much. However, if it is left unchecked it can begin to erode our faith.
▪ Murmuring is often shared with others and can also erode their faith. I have witnessed the effects of murmuring in my life and within a ward family. In some instances, the effects of this murmuring have been far reaching and have affected the lives of many. This is a serious matter. We must do everything within our power to stop murmuring. We must check ourselves and strive to keep a positive attitude.

DO WE MURMUR TODAY?

IN WHAT WAYS?

CAN WE DISAGREE WITHOUT MURMURING?

Can we murmur so much as a people to cause a prophet of God To loose his blessings?
Joseph Smith with Martin Harris and the plates - Joseph Lost his right to translate for a season
Moses got upset at Israel and struck the rock - Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land.

What principle do you think the Lord is teaching the children of Israel with the bitter - then good water? Any Symbolism or object lessons here?
Principle Number Two: They had to learn to trust in the Lord

Well what happens next?

READ Exodus 16:2-5

2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron [not directly complaining against the Lord, but rather His servants, questioning their inspiration, and perhaps their sanity. How does Moses address their complaining? Moses responds to this in v. 7-8 by equating complaining against the Lord's servants and complaining against the Lord.] in the wilderness:

3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4 ¶ Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. [This theme is started in 6:26 and continues for the rest of the book of Exodus. Israel is to grow up - to not act as the children of Israel but as Israel. They are to mnake covenants on their own and are to be proven of themselves - not just protected solely by virtue of the Abrahamic covenant.]

5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

After witnessing the miracles of deliverance from the Egyptians, the parting of the Red Sea, and the purification of water, they then complained over the lack of food.
◦ One fact becomes clear through a study of this generation of Israelites: Murmuring is an occupation of those with little faith.

so what has happened here?
◦ The Lord said that he would rain bread from heaven.

What rules were applied to gathering manna?
▪ Israel was to gather enough for each day and a double amount for the Sabbath.
▪ Exodus 16:27 records relates that there were some who went out on the Sabbath and found none.
▪ The Lord chided the disobedient: "How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?" (Exodus 16:28)
▪ "so the people rested on the seventh day." (Exodus 16:30)
▪ If they gathered more than they required for a day, it bred worms and stank.

How long did Israel live on this Manna?
◦ Israel lived on this food forty years, until the first harvest in Canaan.
▪ Knowing this group of people, I wonder if they murmured about eating the same thing for forty years.
◦ There is an actual type of manna:
▪ It is the sweet juice of the tarfa, a kind of tamarisk. It exudes in May for about six weeks from the trunk and branches in hot weather, and forms small round white grains. It retains its consistency in cool weather, but melts with heat. The Arabs, after boiling and straining, use it as honey with bread. Where is it found? On the Sinai Peninsula.

What principle do you think the Lord is teaching the children of Israel with manna? Is there any symbolism or object lessons here?
Principle Number Three: Need to learn to obey his commands

◦ HOW IS MANNA A TYPE OF THINGS TO COME?
▪ READ JOHN 6:35, 48-51. Christ, the living bread.

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat amanna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

READ Exodus 17:1-6

1 AND all the congregation of the children of Israel [estimated some 3-5 million people] journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: [Located in the lower part of the Sinai desert. Tempetures here often exceed 115 degrees.] and there was no water for the people to drink.

2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?

3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders [means defender of the faith – could in this case mean even 12 aspotles] of Israel; [Why take the elders? Since there is no way everyone in the multitude can see, so he is commanded to take witnesses that they might later testify to the people what they saw.] and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock [type for Jesus Christ on whom we should build a sure foundation see Deut 32:4; Hel 5:12] in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, [What did they have to do to get the water out of the Rock? They had to strike it or hit it. And so it is that It is not until Jesus is struck down that he finishes the work out the atonement see Moses 7:56 D&C 19:15] and there shall come water out of it, [John 4:10 Jesus teaches that he is the living water, and those who drink of that water never thrist again. So the story is that out of the physical rock comes water and saves Israel from physical death – and is a type for Jesus who provides living water and will save Israel from spiritual death] that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. [For the rest of the Story turn to Num 20]

Symbolism here?

Rest of the story READ Numbers 20: 2-12

2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!

4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? [the people of Israel complain again about the conditions and cast their minds back to the material comforts of Egypt rather than looking at what the Lord is trying to do for them - to santify them and take them to a promised land. Are we ever caught up to complain because the journey is hard? DO we ever take our eye off the mark - now is too hard, we want to turn back, instead of pressing forward? ]

5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: [Moses and Aaron appeal to the Lord] and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.

7 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, [Do this in front of every one.] thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, [the Lord
instructs Moses and Aaron to "order the rock to yield its water"] and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, ^aHear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? [I think that it is the children of Israel who have pushed Moses to the point of expasperation - and at that breaking point Moses takes his staff, yells at Israel, and strikes the rock rather than ordering it. In so doing he does not invoke the name of the Lord. The miracle appears to be a product of Moses, and this does not please the Lord.]

11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

12 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. [Moses and Aaron are rebuked for not doing this in the name of the Lord. As a result they will not be permitted to go into the promised land. Moses could have quite right here and went away mad, sulking. Is the rebuke too strong? Well let's consider what they Lord has been trying to do with the children of Israel over the past short period of time. He is trying to turn them to Christ - and this incident does not help. Because Moses and Aaron were their leaders they held prominent positions, such actions have considerable consequence, and the Lord takes action to make it clear to Israel that Moses' actions were not condoned by Him]

Take a little pitty for Moses: Moses must have been a man of infinite patience.
◦ He had to deal with a stubborn Pharaoh.
◦ He had to deal with unbelieving Israel.
▪ When they arrived at the shore of the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army approaching, the Israelites were ready to turn back.
▪ Only a few days after witnessing the miracle at the Red Sea they were murmuring because of a lack of water.

Then they murmured for lack of food

Then they needed water again - Moses struck the rock, I suppose a little tired, maybe even a little upset. But it cost him

An now they are hungry - are we their yet...

What principle do you think the Lord is teaching the children of Israel with Moses smiting the rock and having water come out?
Principle Number Four: The need to understand the power of God, Teaching the rock is a type for Christ,

A Battle With The Amalekites - Sustaining The Prophet

READ Exodus 17: 8-13

8 ¶ Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. [ We are not sure whhy they came to battle as no explanation or real details are offered. ]

9 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. [emphasizes the intercessory role
of Moses between Israel and God]

10 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.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: [symbol of Moses lifting up his arms to God obviously connotes an appeal to one exalted above you, but it also has rhetorical links to the hand/arm being a symbol of the Lord's prophet on earth (cp. Isa. 40:10, Isa. 49:22, Ezek. 20:5, 15). The raising of the hand is symbolic of covenant making (cp. Exod. 6:8, Dan. 12:7). The arm is a symbol of might and power (cp. Exod. 15:16, Isa. 33:2, Job 40:9), and relying on the arm of the Lord as opposed to the arm of flesh obviously implies you fear God more than man.] and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 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; [When Moses gets tired, he is supported (sustained) by his two closest assistants (councilors) such that he can continue to act in his capacity as leader of Israel (similar to the sustaining of the living Prophet until death, even if he becomes physically tired or weak; physical infirmity does not preclude or commute the office).so long as Moses hands were stretched up to God, Israel prevailed. The symbolism would be that so long as the Prophetwas pleading to God in behalf of his people, and so long as the people were sustaining the prophet then God heeded their call. The result is they prevailed against their enemies by divine fiat. ] and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

What kind of symbolic expressions could be used to teach the children of Israel from this story?

Moses sent Joshua out to lead the fight against Amalek.
Moses went upon a hill to observe the battle.
When he raised his hands Israel prevailed.
When he lowered his hands Amalek prevailed.
When Moses' hands grew heavy Aaron and Hur held his hands up.

Principle Number Five: It is through the sustaining of the prophet that The children of Israel would accomplish their mission.

We touched lightly on this principle last week, but how was life different for the children of Israel now that they were freed from slavery?
They had to learn to think for themselves - No one was there to tell them every little ting to do

What problems did this cause when they were left to think for themselves?
How did the people in the days of Moses get answers as to what they should do? - they went to the one in charge the pharoah - or Moses.

What problems did this cause for Moses? What problems did this cause for the people? THey did not know how to think for themselves - were not learning from their experience - part of the reason why we are here.

What do we know about Jethro (Moses father-in-law) ?
Brought Moses' wife and two sons to him in the wilderness.
High priest with several generations of Priesthood training - How much priesthood training has Moses had?

READ Exodus 18: 13-18 Jethro observes Moses

1 WHEN Jethro, the priest of Midian, [Jethro had been a product of growing up in the church - he knew how the Priesthood was supposed to work. The High Priest of Midian had several generations of Priesthood training and experiences behind him, extending clear back to Father Abraham" (Third, p. 279). "Joseph Smith changed Exodus 18:1 to read 'the high priest of Midian', confirming what is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 84:6-7, that Jethro held the Melchizedek Priesthood" (Student Manual, p. 124). We should notice that Jethro is not an Israelite, but is labeled a "priest" (v. 1), blesses the Lord (v. 10-11), and sacrifices to the Lord with Moses, Aaron, and all of the elders of Israel partaking in that sacrifice (v. 12). So we have a non-Israelite priest worshiping and sacrificing to the Lord, which violates dogmatic notions about who can and cannot be a "priest"] Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

13 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. [all day every day]

14 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? [ What is the concern that Jethro has for his son in law Moses? One: he is the one on whom all the decisions are made - wearing himself out, two: people are not given a chance to grow themselves]

15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

16 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. [ Why would Moses have answered his father in law in such a manner? Moses and his people were a product of the Egyptian empire - this is how it was done for them - when they had a problem they went to the king and he told them what they should do.MOses was just acting as he had been taught. ]

17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. [ Why is what Moses is doning not good? One: too much burden for Moses, two: the people need to learn to make decisions for themselves.]

18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: [If Moses goes then the people will really be lost.] for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

What does this tell you about Moses, that he listens to his father - in law?

Moses does not say - Hey man have you parted the red sea, got water from a rock, delivered millions of people from thehands of the Egyptians, brought down ten plagues from heaven... Don't tell me what I should be doing.

Symbolism, Object lesson here - What were the children of Israel being taught?

Principle Number Six: They need to have their own agency, and they need to learn how to make decisions for themselves and they will be held accountable for those decisions.

Our journey is now going to take us to mount Sinai.

READ Exodus 19: 1,5-6

1 IN the third month, [That the time period was precisely three months to the day may be connected with Moses original request that they be allowed to travel three days into the wilderness to the worship the Lord, cf. 3:18. ] when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. [ Why was it so important that the Moses take the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai? Sinai was the Holy mount it was the place designed for the children of Israel to meet their God, and enter into covenant with him. In essence Sinai was Israels first temple. So in a sense Moses when he was assigned to gather Israel was to lead them back to true temple worship. Which is a type for the gathering of Israel in the last days. The tabernacle in the wilderness, solomans temple, Herods temple were all constructed after the same pattern. This pattern for the temple was in essence a physical representation of Mt.Sinai. ]

2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, [The wilderness of Sinai.] Mount Sinai is called by the Arabs Jibel Mousa or the Mount of Moses, or, by way of eminence, El Tor, THE Mount. It is one hill, with two peaks or summits; one is called Horeb, the other Sinai. Horeb was probably its most ancient name, and might designate the whole mountain; but as the Lord had appeared to Moses on this mountain in a bush hns seneh, chap. iii. 2, from this circumstance it might have received the name of Sinai or ynys rh har Sinai, the mount of the bush or the mount of bushes; for it is possible that it was not in a single bush, but in a thicket of bushes, that the Angel of God made his appearance. The word bush is often used for woods or forests.] and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.

3 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;

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, [ The word rn nesher does not mean the bird we term eagle; but a bird which the Arabs, from its kind and merciful disposition, call rachama, which is noted for its care of its young, and its carrying them upon its back. it appears that the heathens confounded the figure made use of by the sacred penman, I bare you on eagles' wings, with the manifestation of God in thunder and lightning on Mount Sinai. And it might be in reference to all this that the Romans took the eagle for their ensign] and brought you unto myself. [in this and the two following verses, we see the design of God in selecting a people for himself. ]

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice [ so the first thing that Moses was chosen to do was to turn the children of Israel to Christ? Yes, just the same as every prophet that has ever lived has done - testified of Christ. Pauls, Stephen and Book Of Mormon prophates all express the fact that Moses was a great witnes of Christ.the first part of Moses mission was to turn the children of Israel to Christ - he is their master] indeed, and keep my covenant, [ renew with them the covenant he had made with their father Abraham. After they were so empowered they were to return again to the lands that were given them for their inheritance and build a temple to their God.] then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: [ so are we to say that the reason for gathering the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt is to make them a peculiar treasur unto the Lord? Yes - it is the very reason that the Lord had Moses return the children of Israel to Mt Sinai ] for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. [They should be a nation, one people; firmly united among themselves, living under their own laws; and acting under the direction and blessing of God. Thus they should be both a kingdom, having God for their governor;] These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

so why was it so important that the Moses take the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai?
Sinai was the Holy mount it was the place designed for the children of Israel to meet their God, and enter into covenant with him. In essence Sinai was Israels first temple. So in a sense Moses when he was assigned to gather Israel was to lead them back to true temple worship. Which is a type for the gathering of Israel in the last days. The tabernacle in the wilderness, solomans temple, Herods temple were all constructed after the same pattern. This pattern for the temple was in essence a physical representation of Mt.Sinai. ]

READ Exodus 19: 9-11 Sanctify The People

9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear [ Why does God want the people to hear? The Jews consider this as the fullest evidence their fathers had of the Divine mission of Moses; themselves were permitted to see this awfully glorious sight, and to hear God himself speak out of the thick darkness: for before this, as Rabbi Maymon remarks, they might have thought that Moses wrought his miracles by sorcery or enchantment; but now, hearing the voice of God himself, they could no longer disbelieve nor even doubt.] when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

10 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them [ Why do they need to be santified? Because it is the intent of the Lord to restore their temple blessings and covenants, and to do so they miust be clean. This is done preparatory to God visiting them. The word sanctify means to seperate or set apart. We can see that it involved an ordinance of washing that the children of Israel made be made clean. That they might be able to stand in the presence of God. From modern revelation we learn that it means that they were going to be consecrated and that the Lord was going to endow them with power from on high. Before they commenced their journey to their land of promise. Again we see the type - in Joseph Smiths day those liberated from boundage - the bondage of false religion. Were to gather with the saints at Nauvho - where they built their Sanai or temple, were they were endowded before their journey to their land of promise which was the great basin, were they would build a temple. Again a type for those today that gather to the temples to be sanctified and endowed with power from on high to prepare them for their journey thru life... What does Moses do to sanctify them? ] to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11 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.

READ Exodus 17: 17, 20-23 First Temple extablished

17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. [ It is worthy of remark that the people were informed three days before, ver. 9-11, that such an appearance was to take place; and this answered two excellent purposes: 1. They had time to sanctify and prepare themselves for this solemn transaction; and, 2. Those who might be skeptical had sufficient opportunity to make use of every precaution to prevent and detect an imposture; so this previous warning strongly serves the cause of Divine revelation.]

20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: [The glory of the Lord would occupy the top of the mountain - the Holy Of Holies] and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. [Moses and Moses alone - Israels High Priest was allowed to enter the top and part the veil and speak with the Lord.]

21 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.

22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, [ The priests were allowed onto the mountain but only part way. ] sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. [ If you do not have a recommend or the proper credentials you cannot enter - keeping it sacred. These are the same bounds that were set for the tabernacle in the wilderness, and the temples which would be built in Jersualem. They are 1) The outer court - the place were the people could enter 2) The Holy place to which the priests could enter 3) The Holy Of Hollies to which the High priest could enter.]

The Ten Commandments
READ Exodus 20: 17, 1-17 The Lord reveals his basic commandments to Israel, the Ten Commandments

WHICH OF THESE COMMANDMENTS DO YOU THINK ARE MOST DISREGARDED IN THE WORLD TODAY?
◦ WHICH OF THESE DO YOU THINK CHURCH MEMBERS STRUGGLE WITH THE MOST?

The Law Of Moses

What is or are the Law of Moses?

The Jews have identified 613 particular laws as recorded by Moses in the Torah or Pentateuch.
◦ There are two types of laws in the Law of Moses:
▪ Eternal: Those divine commandments that have been given to most, if not all, of the gospel dispensations.
▪ Temporary: Given for a particular dispensation. Similar laws may have been given to another dispensation. They sometimes were given to test the obedience of God's children, but usually had symbolic, physical, and social values as well.
◦ The next several chapters of Exodus contain laws that deal with such things as the sale and plight of slaves, the death penalty, lost property, agriculture, and numerous other items.

READ Exodus 32: 1-2 Like children, Israel grows restless waiting for the return of Moses.

1 AND when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. [some of the people (Men) approach Aaron and what to do something since they have no idea where Moses is or if he will return.]

2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. [It appears as if he is talking to a group of men as he tells them to go back to their wives, daughters, and sons and get their gold earrings.]

◦ ISRAEL WAS UNWILLING TO WAIT FOR THE RETURN OF MOSES WITH GOD'S WORD. WHAT RESULTED FROM THIS IMPATIENCE?
▪ The people went to Aaron and said: "Up, make us gods which shall go before us; for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."
◦ WHAT DID AARON DO? (Exodus 32:2-4)
▪ He had the people bring him their gold.
▪ Fashioned the gold into a golden calf.
▪ The people then said: "These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of Egypt."

4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. [Verse 4 & 5 Read slightly different in Hebrew:

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graven tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy Elohem, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast day to Jehovah .

It appears that Aaron has not made an image of some pagon God, but rather has something to do with the God of Israel. Note to redeem Aaron. It iwas typical in semitic cultures (Which Israel is a part of) to portray the throne of God as an animal. The animals used ranged from cattle to lions, bulls... So the idea was that the speed or strength of the animal was a characteristic of God. So they would have been building a throne for God in this passage not replacing God with a idol. It has nothing to do with pagan Gods at all (Old Test Round Table* KBYU Episode 113). Aaron is making a mistake of using this golden calf in a worship service, and maybe even making the calf in the first place to represent the throne of God - but he is not worshiping the calf.]

READ Exodus 34: 1-3 Moses commanded to make new tablets which the Lord would write upon.

◦ The Joseph Smith Translation reads: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two other tables of stone, like unto the first, and I will write upon them also, the words of the law, according as they were written at the first on the tables which thou brakest; but it shall not be according to the first, for I will take away the priesthood out of their midst; therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof, shall not go before them; for my presence shall not go up in their midst, lest I destroy them. But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal commandment; for I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my presence, into my rest, in the days of their pilgrimage. Therefore do as I have commanded thee, and be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me, in the top of the mount."

READ D&C 84: 23-26 Holy Priesthood taken from Israel.
▪ President Joseph Fielding Smith: "The Lord offered to Israel in the days of Moses the fulness of the Gospel with the Higher Priesthood and its keys, intending to give unto them the blessings of exaltation and make of them a royal Priesthood. When Moses went up into the sacred Mount Horeb and received the writings which the Lord made with his own finger, he received the fulness of the Gospel with its ordinances and covenants, but when Moses returned after his absence of forty days and found the Israelites reveling in idolatry, he broke the tablets. Later the Lord gave unto him other tablets but changed some of the commandments, and took away the Higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, and gave to the people the carnal law, as stated in this section (84), verses 23-27....
▪
▪ "The Aaronic Priesthood remained with Israel and also the law of Moses, or the law of carnal commandments, until the coming of Jesus Christ, when again the fulness of the Gospel and the Priesthood were given to Israel. The Prophets of Israel and Judah, however, from the time of Moses until Malachi, held the Melchizedek Priesthood, but it was not conferred upon others during that time. Elijah, who held the fulness of the Priesthood, was a prophet during that time when the people of Israel were restricted to the preparatory Gospel." (CHMR, 2:104)