Perhaps one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Old Testament is the law. It has been distorted and misapplied for thousands of years: It’s been used to fuel self-righteousness; to depict a judgmental and unforgiving portrait of God; interpreted so narrowly and harshly that its closest adherents didn’t recognize the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17), Jesus Himself, in their very midst.
These misinterpretations still plague us today, so the question remains: How should we understand the law?
In Exodus 19, God provides Moses with the cornerstone of the law, the Ten Commandments, and He does so with these words: “Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation” (Exodus 19:5–6). Too often, we read these words as a threat, or a form of conditional love: I will only take care of you if you do what I say.
However, there is another way to read these words, and the commandments that follow.
As a mom, I frequently warn my boys to obey me for their own good:
If you don’t listen to me, you’re going to get hurt.
If you don’t stop jumping on the bed, you’re going to fall.
If you don’t slow down, you’re going to trip.
These warnings are not threats. They are not signs of conditional love. I am not manipulating them into submitting to me. Instead, I am beckoning them toward safety, wholeness, and health. I am showing them the path to life, and warning them away from a path that leads to pain.
This, in many ways, captures the heart of the law. And this heart becomes all the more clear in the verse that precedes God’s warning:
“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (vv.4).
With this verse, God testifies to His own character, reminding the Israelites of His steadfast love, provision, and care. On that basis, God asked His people to trust and obey Him—not because the law was an arbitrary list of rules from a cruel and exacting God, but because the
law was the path to life.
Too often, we miss this truth, that the law is beautiful, good, and a picture of humanity at its best. The first four commandments are, in essence, the pinnacle of “loving God.” The following six commandments are the fullness of “loving neighbor.” They instruct us on how to live, but more importantly, they clarify who we were created to be.
And yet, the law fell short. It showed us the destination without providing the ability to reach it (Romans 8:3). We can know the good, but find ourselves wholly unable to attain it. That is why the law condemns: the law is God’s blueprint for human flourishing, without the tools to achieve it.
Enter Jesus. He did what no human was ever able to do. He was the perfect expression of the law. His life and words were the embodiment of God’s design for us. That is the point of the Ten Commandments, and the whole of God’s law: to point us toward God’s good plan for us, while revealing our inadequacy to accomplish it. The law points us to Jesus.
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34 thoughts on "Israel at Sinai"
Jesus, I love you and rely on you completely. Thank you for fulfilling the law and giving me freedom to live a life that pleases you. Help me to honor and love you in my actions and heart. Amen.
Lord I thank you for all that you are and do!
Thank you
I love ……”He was the perfect expression of the Law ; and His life and words were the embodiment of God’s design for us”
The phrase ‘brought you to myself’ (19:4) really stuck out to me today. This is such a beautiful example of God’s steadfast love, provision, and care for a people that He knew would grumble/moan in the wilderness, be stiff-necked, be stubborn, didn’t deserve it, & weren’t even the largest or even the strongest people group. He didn’t just bring them out of Egypt & leave them to fend for themselves in the desert. He didn’t just abandon them post-rescue, leaving them to wander aimless & alone. As you did w/ them then, You are still doing for us today through Jesus! Thank you God for Your constant presence in the wilderness which may not be physical, but emotional, psychological, and/or spiritual.
❤️
I’m in TN
Sue Dalos I can identify with your comment.
The devotional today was so so so good! This is real food for thoughts. Usually Christians tend to be on the grace camp, or on the law camp. But this presents godly wisdom to draw such distinction between the two and pull out the complimentary ground for both, not being dismissive of either. We can’t dismiss the law truthfully. Applauding you Sharon Hodde Miller! As a mom to young kids (who are like wet cement), I am reminded that my footprints on them matter. I read somewhere that by the age of 8, kid’s personalities are about 80% set, and their life outcome depends on the already formed personalities which yield preferences, habits, actions, attitudes down the line when they are in their 20s, 30s, 40s and so on. So we (mothers) are the ones who shape these wet cement/ little disciples entrusted to us by the Lord, as mothers normally would spend far more time with kids than fathers. For not using the name of God in vain, I used to tell my kids not to say “oh my God” to express their surprise, frustration or disappointment/ negative emotions, for God will not hold that person guiltless to use His Name in vain, then I began to say “oh my word” instead, and now my little ones start using that phrase too. It worked! Hopefully this would rub off on my husband as well to rewrite some of the old habits that are not glorifying to God.
@Gwineth52: I am in awe reading what you shared. I saw such strong passion and fire you carry and I am so encouraged by your boldness and zeal! As God says, don’t despise small beginnings, you never know how this might turn out. Praying for your continued journey and I am excited to hear more updates, including any setbacks you might run into and how you overcome them. God bless you.
@Lynn from Alabama: praying for you and your dear husband Jack. You are so strong, and may you continue to fight the good fight of faith with the help of our God, the amazing Jehovah Nissi who never lost a battle. I remember a verse which we read not too long ago that the Lord impressed on me today to tell you specifically, “Lynn, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever. Exodus 14:13”. The sickness, the fear, the turmoil (aka the Egyptians of your battle now) you won’t see no more, forever. May this verse be fulfilled in your life, and to God be the glory.
Be blessed dear sisters. Let us hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
@ SEARCHING, thank you for including me in your list. Just knowing that you knew I hadn’t commented in a while made my day. I am here every single day and after knowing our Lord all my life I feel so inadequate in my knowledge, therefore I am quiet. I am learning so very much from each study & each comment it is humbling. You all are in my prayers as Sisters.
❤️ Amen
I have but ONE GOD!!! He sent His One and Only Son to die for me and everyone else, so we could be free of sin. Thank You Lord for sacrificing Your One and Only Son to set me free of my sins. Amen.
I wasn’t sure at first what I was going to post but after reading Jennifer Loves Jesus and Searching and several others I finally figured it out. Thank you for your insightful words.
Be blessed and NEVER forgot you have but ONE GOD.
Thank all of you for your prayers! I am sorry that I haven’t updated since Jack’s surgery but for some reason I could not pull up the app while he was in the hospital. His surgery lasted 10 hours (was only supposed to be 3-6) and did not have the outcome that we were hoping for. BUT, God is good and makes no mistakes! For many years I sang in a ladies group and we sang the song “Trust His Heart”. If you don’t know this song, look it up and listen. It simply states when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart. So, when things don’t go as you prayed or hoped for, just know that God has a plan in all that is happening and He won’t give you more than you can handle. I have had to rely on this plenty in 2022 with all that has been happening with Jack’s health. Please continue to pray for his health and my sanity/emotions.
❤️
Such wonderful words to read this morning both here and on HRT. From HRT: “This is who you are if you are a Christian. So take the name of the Lord. Don’t take it in vain, but in earnest, because He has carried you on eagle’s wings, brought you to Himself, and made you His own.” Be blessed today, sisters.
Amen. Perfectly said.
Exodus is so full of great revelation!
@Gwenth- So happy for you! And thank you for the encouragement to ‘get busy for God!”
@JLJ- So good as usual of giving us so much beauty in your words, I feel the same, of just such an overwhelming feeling of being “enveloped” in Him!
@ Taylor, where are you?!
Praying for you Heidi! You have a lot going on! But I love that you are seeking, finding, and following through.
Thank you each one of you for leaving your thoughts!
Have a great day!
“The law was the path to life.” Thank you, Jesus for bringing us life.
I love the line ‘the law is the path to life’ in the devo. So many get caught up in dos or do nots that they begin miss the whole point of a savior who loves extravagantly above law. Jesus help us know your love and love like you.
….. yes ❤️
Good Morning Shes! Up early on the west coast to give y’all a heads up & follow up to an initiative I announced here during the This is the Church community read. I convened, designed the curriculum, and facilitated a five week study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. You may remember how nervous I was stepping out to do this new thing within my parish. There was pushback, as in “who authorized you to do this?” & “why do you think you’re qualified”? But I persevered, prayed, and with God’s prodding, and power in His hands, pulled it off ! Ten participants including myself. Even during the busy summer months. Thumbs up feedback. I’m feeling affirmed & appreciated. I’m feeling empowered & enabled to try another study this fall. God was TOTALLY within this effort. Pushing me. Pursuing me. Propping me up when I doubted. I urge Shes to “walk worthily in the calling you have received”. To lean into your gifts & the grace bestowed by Holy Spirit. Be bold to teach, learn, model, and in all ways, live out the gospel, and witness whenever & wherever you can. Exalt God by Good Works. (Even if no one first notices or applauds! Even if a trial run doesn’t go well! ). I’ll share four of the resources I used as background & preparation. The SRT Ephesians Community Read study book & accompanying podcast. Professor N.T. Wright’s, “Paul’s Prison Letters: For Everyone”. Jen Wilkin’s “Women of the Word”: How to Study the Bible with Both our Hearts and Our Minds”. Lastly, a rare find (published in 1965), and brilliantly beautiful book by Henrietta Buckmaster, “Paul: A Man Who Changed the World”. I used an NIV Student Bible. I encourage & entreat you, if your church isn’t offering this form of adult faith formation, find an ally (Our woman deacon stood with me.) & get it moving. And if something similar is already underway; get involved, show up, shore it up, volunteer to help. Give your time & attention. Fix your gaze upon the Lord, and like Moses, know it is not about you, but our awesome “I Am”, who delivers. He will help you. He will strengthen you. Thanks be to God.
(Exodus 20: 18-21) even though this group of people witnessed the manifest presence of their God they would remain hard hearted towards the true source of their blessing, mercy and grace. Lifting up the man who is the vessel being used by God rather than fearing (having reverence for God himself). God works in the unseen as much or more than in the seen world. Walk by faith, not by sight.
I want to see things God’s way. If the first commandment given said no other gods, He meant it. I cannot deny the gravity of this in light of who God is. And who God is, how and why He claimed His people, and how I became His own possession blows my mind. The eye of the Father sees me. He sees my heart. He knows I worship Him alone. He gives me the power to wait and hope. He shines light in the darkness around me. My joy is set like a jewel in His crown. Immovable, secure. No darkness can swallow me, no suffering will outlast His mercy. I am “enrolled in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23). My name is in the Lamb’s book of life. Jesus sealed the covenant of God and inscribed His love on my heart. This experience of Him has enabled me to endure with joy and supernatural contentment. It is truly a miracle. This peace is possible for all who lay down and let go of everything else. Walking closely with God brings us out of slavery to the world. We are truly free in Him. Remember and breathe in deeply the truth of God, exhaling our doubt and worry. Strengthen us according to Your Word and promises Lord. Selah. Maranatha. Amen.
Such a good devotion. How many times have I explained to little ones that a particular rule or “no” is for their safety and not just to squelch their fun? And how many times has God told me the same thing??? And (this is the hard thing to say) how many times have I totally ignored Him and landed myself in a big mess? And then blamed Him for not stopping me?
Ouch :( Lord, please forgive me and help me to follow you more closely.
Praying for those coming to mind that I haven’t seen in a while or only infrequently – There are many more and wish I had kept better notes (looking at you, KELLY (NEO)).
VICTORIA E, ERB, FOSTER MAMA, MARTHA HIX, GRAMSIESUE, LYNNE FROM AL, AZ WALKER, K SWENSON, ANGIE, TINA, CHURCHMOUSE, PAULETTE, KARRIE, MELANIE, PAM C, BROOKE P, LIANA DELACORTE, SUE DALOS, MOLLY ROHRER, ANNE S, MARIA BAER, SHAENA ELIZABETH.
Praying for ANGIE MILLS – volunteers needed, HEIDI – navigating/balancing this new path, HANNAH RODGERS – sleep and patience with newborn and your other sweet children and DOROTHY – healing for your knee. And thank you for sharing about the great camp experience.
While reading the Exodus passage today, I was struck with the realization that the people of Israel never once spoke directly to God and God never once spoke directly to His people. Both parties always spoke directly to Moses who then brought their words to the other party on their behalf. Moses was being a mediator, a go-between, for God and the people of Israel. Jesus is now our mediator and because He dwells in us, through the person of the Holy Spirit, we can speak directly to God and hear what God speaks directly to us. We no longer need a human mediator. What a privilege this is! May we never take it for granted.
…”the law was the path to life. … The law points us to Jesus.” Thanks, Sharon, for the great reminder!
Thank you for Your covenant Blood Jesus! Amen
❤️
Beautifully written. ❤️ “so grand my mind can’t reach it.” Amen
Well said, Shannon! Loved this:
“Too often, we miss this truth, that the law is beautiful, good, and a picture of humanity at its best. . . . Jesus . . .did what no human was ever able to do. He was the perfect expression of the law. His life and words were the embodiment of God’s design for us. That is the point of the Ten Commandments, and the whole of God’s law: to point us toward God’s good plan for us, while revealing our inadequacy to accomplish it. The law points us to Jesus.”
When I pray I come into the presence of this God. God in all His majesty and glory. So holy that He can’t stop Himself from breaking out in anger when a sinful person comes up to Him, even after they have been consecrated. At the same time, He is so gracious. He allows Moses, a murderer, in His presence as a mediator for the people. In the law, He not only demands that people love Him but as important that they love each other. He even provided them with the means to forgiveness when they inevitably would break His law. This is the God I serve. So grand my mind just can’t reach it.
Amen !!
Jesus came to fulfil the law. And he did!
So so so so so so G O O D!!!!! AMEN!!
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