Lesson 4
Israel at Sinai—The Time of the Law
II.
Israel at Sinai—The Time of the Law
Moses brought
Israel from the Red Sea into the wilderness of Sinai. When they came to Marah,
they found bitter water, unsuitable for drinking. The people murmured against
Moses. God showed Moses a tree which Moses cut down and cast into the water,
which then became sweet. The life may be bitter, but Jesus is the Tree that can
sweeten every life. After three
months on their journey from Egypt, they arrived at Mt. Sinai. The people
remained here for a period of one year. What was to take place at Sinai would
mark the beginning of Israel's National History. The covenant concerning a
nation that God made with Abraham, then later confirmed to Isaac and Jacob was
soon to become a national covenant.
At Mt. Sinai, Moses was given the Law
which included the Ten Commandments (Moral Law) as well as the ceremonial and
civil laws. The Commandments made up the basis of the Law that Israel was to
live by until Jesus should come in the fulness of time. Paul said that
"the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be
justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24). The Law was to point out sin and the
shortcomings of man's own efforts to live holy without God's indwelling Spirit.
Moses also was given the plan of the tabernacle which was to be the physical
dwelling place of God's Spirit in the midst of the people of Israel.