In the Bible we read in Exodus 34 we read of Moses on Mount Sinai and His encounter with God, but this story can teach us so much about growing our relationship with God. The relationship between Moses and God is truly incredible and a powerful reminder of how our own relationship should be.
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The Story Of Moses On Mount Sinai
The story of Moses on Mount Sinai is a well known Bible story but just how well do we know the story? And How can it deepen our relationship with God? We’re going to deep dive into the story of Moses on Mount Sinai and explore the important lessons hidden in the story.
How Long Was Moses On Mount Sinai?
Moses stayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights while the Israelites camped below, in that time Moses remained on Mount Sinai and did not descend to the camp. Think about that for a second Moses ascended Mount Sinai to meet with God and then just didn’t return, the people of Israel had no idea what happened to him until a little over a month later when he descended once again.
How Long Were The Israelites At Mount Sinai?
The Israelites camped at Mount Sinai for about a year, when it was time to move they saw the cloud representing God lift from over the Tabernacle. When this happened they would pack up and follow the cloud wherever it went.
How Many Times Did Moses Go Up Mount Sinai?
Moses went up on Mount Sinai several times to meet with the Lord. These trips are recorded in Exodus 19 through the end of this book of the Bible. Depending on the reckoning, Moses climbed Mt. Sinai about eight times to meet with God.
Where Is Mount Sinai In The Bible?
The location of Mount Sinai in the Bible is debated, for centuries scholars, explorers, and pilgrims have tried to find the location of the Biblical account of Moses on Mount Sinai. Many people believe that it’s found in Egypt on the south central part of the Sinai Peninsula. The mountain today is called Jebel Musa (“the mountain of Moses”) and has an elevation of 7,497 feet above sea level. In AD 530 St. Catherine’s Monastery was constructed at the northern foot of Mount Sinai and at it’s peak was built a Christian chapel and an Islamic mosque.
There are several other theories on where the story of Moses on Mount Sinia took place including sites in the western, central, and northern parts of the Sinai Peninsula. Another therory is that Mount Sinai is the modern Mount Yeroham in the northern Negev Desert. In 1977 Ron Wyatt believed that he had found the true location of Mount Sinai in northwestern Saudi Arabia. You can learn more about his case for this being true location of Mount Sinai here.
What Was Moses Given By God On Mount Sinai And Why Was It So Important?
One of the key elements of the Biblical story of Moses on Mount Sinia is what God gave to him, and the people of Israel. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai which were God’s law and the laws the Isralites were to keep:
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make idols.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet.
What Did God Promise The Israelites On Mount Sinai
The covenant that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai reinforced the covenant that was given to Abraham and told the people of Israel what they had to do to keep up their end of the covenant and reiterated that God’s promise to stay with them because they were his chosen people. Learn more about God’s covenant with the people of Israel.
What Happened To Moses On Mount Sinai In The Bible
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.
When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.
When Moses on Mount Sinai went into the presence of the Lord, his physical appearance was changed. His being reflected God’s glory so that all others could see it. It was a testament to where he’d been, and who he’d been with. Reasonably it scared those around him. There wasn’t any denying who’s company Moses on Mount Sinai kept, that his friend was the creator of the universe, whose name was to holy even to speak, and he spoke to him. He was God’s, man.
When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant.
But as time wore on for Moses on Mount Sinai the radiance of God’s presence would fade away, so he’d put on a veil so others wouldn’t see. He didn’t want them to see the truth, that he’d been away, from his friend. He didn’t want it out that he wasn’t the perfect follower, that his heart strayed. It was a pride thing, he wanted everyone to see the perfect walk straight and narrow no mishaps. He’d get so caught up wanting others to see him and wonder about the man in a veil, that he no longer reflected Him.
Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord. Exodus 34:29-35 (NIV)
What We Can Learn From Moses On Mount Sinia
How often do we behave as Moses on Mount Sinia, and do this in our own walk? I know I am guilty of it, we know the right words to keep that mask firmly in place. But if we’re honest with no one but ourselves we know we mess up. We stray after shiny things like toddlers toddling after a prize.
Stop chasing that shiny thing, that prize you so desperately seek is already in your hands. Seek Him. Draw near. Not to show off, but because He is your friend. Because we should have a realtionship with God like Moses on Mount Sinia. Because He died to ransom you from that same thing that keeps you from shining brightly for Him in the darkness.
Are you going to be a beacon for God in the midst of the darkness, or are you going to hide that light away like Moses on Mount Sinia so you can be in the spotlight instead of being the reflection?
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Good things to ponder…. and so important to evaluate our heart motivation. Thank you.
It has been a comprehensive bible study. I am blessed indeed.
More so, I have just posted part of the this study on Facebook.
I would endeavour to teach It in our Bible study class.
God bless you real good.
Amen and Amen.