Moses, Who Led the People of God

EXODUS 19:16-25

IN ADDITION to being a leader of the Israelites, Moses also served as mediator between them and God. It was in this capacity that he served in connection with the inauguration of the Law Covenant at Mt. Sinai. There he “brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God.” This meeting with the Lord, through Moses, was not direct; for the Lord had instructed Moses to set “bounds about the mount” beyond which the Israelites were not permitted to pass. Only Moses and Aaron were allowed to go beyond those bounds to commune with the Lord and whatever messages he had for the people were taken back to them by these two servants.

There was a marvelous display of divine power in connection with the giving of the Law. “Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire,” we read, “and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.” In addition “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 were in the camp trembled.” How well this must have served to impress upon the Israelites that God had “come down” to them!

However, despite this outstanding evidence of God’s presence with his people, they did not for long remain faithful to the covenant into which they entered with him at Sinai. “Which my covenant they brake,” said the Lord through the Prophet Jeremiah many centuries later. (Jer. 31:32) Yet the Lord continued to love the Israelites and promised that at a future time he would make a “new covenant” with them, different from that which was inaugurated at Sinai in that he would put his Law in their “inward parts, and write it in their hearts” instead of on tables of stone.—Jer. 31:31-34

In Hebrews 12:18-29, the Apostle Paul compares the experiences of Moses and Aaron and the Israelites at Sinai with the inauguration of the promised “new covenant.” This did not occur as some suppose, at Pentecost, but was still future in Paul’s day as shown by this passage. The Greek text clearly states that we are “approaching unto” the antitypical Sinai which Paul speaks of as Mount Sion; and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant.

In seeking to determine the meaning of any reference in the Book of Hebrews to the New Covenant as the antitype of the old Law Covenant, it is essential to keep clearly in mind that in the opening chapters of the epistle, Paul reveals that the followers of Jesus are typed by the priesthood of Israel. These are the “brethren” of Christ, as Aaron was the brother of Moses.—Heb. 2:11; 3:1

In the antitype, then, the church is associated with the “greater than Moses,” and will have the privilege with him of entering into the presence of God as Moses did at Sinai. Moses and Aaron went beyond the hounds set up for the people as a whole, and in antitype this would seem to mean, passing beyond the “veil” into the spiritual phase of the kingdom, there to be associated with Christ in mediating the New Covenant. In this arrangement, the resurrected ancient worthies will be the human representatives of the divine Christ.

The prophecy of Joel 2:1,2 employs language somewhat similar to that used to describe what occurred at Sinai, and since Joel is describing the great time of trouble which is bringing this present evil world to an end, it is likely that in this we have the antitypical “shaking” which occurs when the time comes to inaugurate the New Covenant. In this time of trouble, only those things which cannot he shaken—because they are in harmony with God “will remain.” The Prophet Haggai writes that the Lord “will shake all nations,” and that then “the desire of all nations will come.”—Haggai 2:7

The first to enter into the New Covenant arrangements under Christ and the church as the mediators will be the “house of Israel and the house of Judah” according to the flesh. However, all nations will have the same blessed privilege of becoming God’s people, for thus will he then dwell with the people and be their God. From this standpoint, while we recognize the important position occupied by Moses as the leader of God’s people, the importance of his place in the plan of God is enhanced by the fact that the Lord used him as a type of a still greater One to come, One who would lead all the redeemed of earth back to atonement with their God.—Deut. 18:15-18

EXODUS 35:4, 5, 21

THE Law, as epitomized in the Ten Commandments, was a rigid set of regulations expressed by “thou shalt” and “thou shalt not,” and blessed were those who from the heart endeavored to live up to the principles of righteousness thus set forth. But the Lord gave the Israelites an opportunity to make a freewill demonstration of their devotion to him. This was in connection with the building of the tabernacle. Materials of various kinds were needed, including gold and silver and precious stones, and the Lord instructed Moses to give the people an opportunity to furnish these from their own possessions.

Moses made it plain that this was not a demand but an invitation to those who were of a “willing heart.” Those who saw their privilege of co-operating, and who possessed anything that could be used, were given the opportunity of donating it to the cause. The response was most enthusiastic, and so liberal that finally Moses found it necessary to announce that no more was needed.—Exod. 36:5-7

The account indicates that it was the Spirit of the Lord in the hearts of his people that stirred them up to make these sacrifices, and there is no doubt but what they were richly blessed by their effort. It was a temporary display of devotion which followed shortly after the giving of the Law, and the people probably were still greatly impressed with what had happened at Sinai.

The real proof of loyalty to God, however, is not so much in a momentary show of devotion and sacrifice, but in day by day obedience in the little affairs of life which are probably not known except by ourselves and the Lord. The Israelites were no doubt enthusiastic in donating their valuables to build the tabernacle, but they did not make such a good showing in their year by year obedience to the Law.

Surely the Lord appreciates spontaneous outbursts of enthusiasm for his cause, but such alone will not qualify the followers of the Master for joint-heirship in his kingdom. “First love” enthusiasm must be continued, and how happy we should be if after many years of service in the Lord’s vineyard we find ourselves just as eager to sacrifice and serve as we did at the beginning. May we ever be conscious of our vows of consecration; and with the Lord’s help, may we continue to pay those vows day by day.

QUESTIONS

In what capacity did Moses serve the Israelites other than that of being their leader?

Of whom was Moses a type?

What is the antitype to the convulsions of nature which occurred at the giving of the Law at Sinai?

What is the antitypical position of the church with relation to the “greater than Moses”?

In what way did the Lord give the Israelites an opportunity to show their devotion to him other than by keeping the Law?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |