The Voice of The Lord

Text: Ex 19:1 - 19 - 20:19

Preface:

           Remember in recounting how the Lord made fish bait out of Pharaoh, and his army last week. I recounted, how Nachshon upon hearing Moses commandment for the Israelites, "to go forward." {Ex 14:15} Assumed that the Lord, would permit him to walk on water.

            Hence, it was my intension this week, to revisit this little known event and relate to you. How the actions of Nachshon, played a significant role, in a renown event in the life of Yeshua.

            Though upon reading this week's torah portion. {Ex 18:1 - 20:23} I became fascinating at how the voice of G-d, shook the wilderness. Upon giving Moses the ten commandments, at Mount Sinai.

           The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. Ps 29:8

          Thus, I feel led to place Nachshon on the back burner for now, in order to examine, how the Lord appeared to the children of Israel in the wilderness and how the voice of the Lord, shook the wilderness. And how He will do so again and why?

          Setting the stage, in the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. Ex 19:1-2

         Three months after the Israelites had departed Egypt, on the 15^th of Sivan, which compare to May on the gogoren calender. The children of Israel, camped at the base of Mount Sinai. Why? Well, it was already preordain, upon redeeming the children of Israel that Moses would return and worship the Lord, from this mountain. {Ex 3:12}

            In turn Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain saying, "thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. Ex 19:3-4

         The cloud that hovered over the Israelites, symboled the Lord' present. I alluded to this fact, because it is highly likely that the cloud that was hovering over the Israelites, had removed over Mount Sinai. Explaining why the text reads, "Moses went up to God."

         Now playing devil's averget, according to Stephen, Moses met the angel of the Lord at Mount Sinai. {Acts 7:38 } Though here Moses wrote that he met the Lord, at Mount Sinai. So, how can we explain this dispute in the scriptures, and which one is it?

          Remember Yeshua stated, "I and the Father are one." { John 10:30 } Well, here Stephen is testifying to this fact. So, there is no dispute in the scriptures. That said, even the sages themselves, are in an agreement that the angel of the Lord, is the Messiah.

          "I bore you on eagles' wings." The prophet Isaiah in one of the most quoted verses in the bible state, "those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isa 40:31

Though in quoting this verse, what most people don't know, Isaiah was quoting Moses from the torah.

     That said, all other birds except the eagle, place their young between their feet since they fear another bird flying above them and snatching them away. The eagle on the other hand, fears only man, lest he shoots and kill him. Therefore the eagle places, it's babies on it's wing and carries them. In turn explaining why the Lord used the metaphor, "I bore you on eagles' wings."

            The reason why, Moses went to the top of the mountain, was to receive a message, then come back down and convey it to the people. With this fact in mind, the Lord continue on by saying, "if you will obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." Ex 19:5-6

         Simply the Lord said, if the Israelites agreed to obey His commandments. Then the Israelites would become His people, a kingdom of priests, set apart from all of the other nations.

         The term "set apart imply that the Israelites would be a peculiar people, from all of the other people. What would make them a peculiar people, from all of the other people of the earth? The Lord stated, they would become a peculiar people, simply by obeying His' commandments. Thus, I'm remindful Yeshua said, "if you love Me , keep My commandments." John 14:15

           Upon receiving this message, Moses then went down the mountain and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. And all the people answered together and said, "all that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. Ex 19:7-8

         So, the Lord sent Moses back down the mountain, in order to convey His message to the people. Why is this significant? Well Yeshua said, "for I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak." { John 12:49 } So Moses foreshadow Yeshua, who liken unto Moses, came down from heaven to rely the Lord's message.

          It should be pointed out, once the people in unison and said, "all that the Lord has spoken, we will do!" They agreed to a non binding covenant with the Lord that extended to their descendants, even today.

         Moving on when the people agreed to this non binding covenant. Moses returned to the top of Mount Sinai, in order to in form the Lord, the people had agreed to His covenant. Once there the LORD said to Moses, "behold, I shall come to you in a thick cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD. Ex 19:9

         Why did Moses return in order to in form the Lord, the people had agreed to His covenant? Surely an all knowing Lord knew, they had agreed in unison. So why did Moses return to inform Him?

         Moses return in order to foreshadow Yeshua, in that the ladder that Jacob witnessed in his dream, ascending into heaven? Thus, you may recall, they were angels ascending and descending on it. Gen. 28: 12

       This is meaningful, because the ladder in Jacob's dream, alludes to Yeshua the Messiah. How do I know, this to be the case? Simply because in alluding to this event the Yeshua said,

          "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." John 1:51

      That said, not only did the ladder in Jacob's dream allude Yeshua, but the angels ascending and descending on the ladder, did as well. How do we know? Well Yeshua said, "he who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things." {Eph 4:10 } So Moses ascending and descending foreshadow Yeshua, who ascending and descending from heaven.

        When Moses return the Lord said, "behold, I shall come to you in a thick cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD." {Ex 19:9}

          Why did the Lord, choose to appear in a cloud? Well later on when Moses desired to see, the Lord's face. The Lord told him, "you cannot see My face ; for no man shall see Me, and live." {Ex 33:20} So, not wanting the people to see, His face. The Lord chose to appear to the people in a cloud, in order to speck to them.

         Having set this precedent, when Moses and Elijah appeared on the mount of transfiguration. Peter told Yeshua, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Though while Peter was yet specking, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Matt 17:4 -5

            This is meaningful, because when the disciples witnessed this cloud, knowing how the cloud symbolize the Lord's presents. They were prepared to hear the voice of the Lord. In turn the Lord didn't disappoint them because He said, "this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

        Moving on once Moses had informed the Lord of the people's willingness, to agree to His covenant. The Lord said, "go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the ram's horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain." Ex 19:10-13

         That said, the prophet Isaiah stated, "we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rag." {Isa 64:6 } I alluded to this fact, because in order for the Israelites to become a holy nation, set apart. They must first wash themselves, from their unrighteousness. In turn the Lord gave the people two days, to consecrate themselves. Then on the third day, the Lord would come down, upon Mount Sinai in the sight of the people.

           No doubt there were thieve, drunkards and the like among the people. I mention this fact, because before we were washed, by the blood of the Lamb of G-d, several of us would fit into one of these groups. But when we were washed by the blood of the Lamb, not only were we washed, we were sanctified, justified by the blood of the Lamb of G-d. 1 Cor 6:10 - 11

          Moses then went back down the mountain, and sanctified the people. They did so by washing their clothes. Moses then added, "be ready on the third day, and do not go near your wives." {Ex 19: 14 - 15} Simply put husbands, weren't permitted to have any sexual relationship with their wives, during these three days, in order to come within the Lord's present.

            Remember it is my intension to examine, how and why the Lord appeared, to the children of Israel in the wilderness. With that said, it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Ex 19:16

           Note the text reads, in the midst of the thunder and lighting, a trumpet was heard. That said, there wasn't any trumpet, to be found in Moses' days. Though, there were shofars, made out of rams horns. I alluded to this fact, because the New Testament was written in Greek. So instead of using the word shofar, the king James translators elected, to use the word trumpet.

         The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thess 4:16

           Now a trumpet and a shofar, sound vastly different. This is important to know, because when Yeshua returns. He will do so, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and upon the sound of a shofar, not a trumpet.

          With that said, often a blast of a trumpet, herald a king arrivals. That said though, the shofar is the trumpet of G-d's. This is meaningful because the sound of a shofar, heralded the King of the universe arrival here. Because the thunder and lighting symbolized, the Lord's present on Mount Sinai.

           To expound on the Lord's voice, the psalmist in depicting the thunders states, "the voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook." {Ps 77:18} Implying upon the voice of the Lord, the entire wilderness trembled.

            That said, the psalmist state, "the voice of the Lord is powerful." {Ps 29:4} I mention this fact, because interesting the sages state, "if the text would have read, the voice of G-d is in His power. The world would not have survived." Though instead the power of G-d, was in His voice, in turn the world survived.

         On this note, when the seventh angel pours out his bowl of wrath. Likewise there will be thundering and lighting and the earth will tremble, from a great earthquake. {Rev 16:17 - 18 } So, once again the power of G-d, will be in His voice.

          On the third day, Moses then brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Though no doubt the people stood in awe, because Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. Ex 19:18 - 19

           The Hebrew scriptures states, the entire mountain was ablaze, from the Lord descending on it. Thus a great smoke, covered the mountain.

           It is customary the longer a person blows a loud note, the weaker and fainted the sounds becomes. However this wasn't the case here, because when the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. {Ex 19:19}

           So as the sound of the shofar grew signaling, the Lord's present. Moses spoke saying, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling." {Heb 12:21 } Hence I'm remindful, when John witnessed Yeshua in a dream on the island of Patmas, he was afraid too. This is significant, because Yeshua said, "I and the Father are one." {John 10:30 } In turn the same G-d, who ascended on Mount Sinai, and Yeshua, is the one and the same.

          Moving on the psalmist in depicting this event states, "the voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty." Ps 29:3-4

         The godly recognize the voice of the Lord in the thunder.{Job 37:4 } That said, the Lord expect even the un godly to recognize His present in nature, in which thunder is a part of.  Rom 1: 18 - 20

           The psalmist continued on by saying, "the voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox." Ps 29:5-6

Very briefly when the Lord thundering voice was heard the earth quaked, splitting the tall cedars trees.

          " The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh." Ps 29:7-8

           " The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire." When thunder is heard, lighting follows.  I alluded to this fact, because when the thundering voice of Lord, was heard in the wilderness. Likewise lighting fleshed, across the sky.

           The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook. Ps 77:18

        Testifying of the Lord's majesty. Though, when the lighting fleshed, the Lord spoke and the lighting flesh, split into. Placing an exclamation mark, on the Lord's majesty.

         Often for medical reasons a pregnant woman, is induce into labor. Hence the psalmist states, "the voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, "glory!" {Ps 29:9} So incredibly as it sounds, when the Lord's voice was heard, pregnant deer gave birth.

        "In His temple everyone says, "glory!" In teaching on this verse the sages states, when the Lord's thundering voice was heard in the temple. Everybody and thing within the temple, gave G-d the glory.

           In closing, after the people had received the Ten Commandments. The people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Ex 20:18

        No doubt when the Lord ended, uttering each Commandment. There was thundering and lighting heard and seen, in order to impress each Commandment, on the hearts of the people. Though upon the conclusion of the Tenth Commandments, the thunder and lighting grew in intensity. Hammering home, the importance of keeping His commandments.

          With that said, according to the sages, the whole mountain was in flames to the heavens. Then when the Lord spoke, hailstones and coals of fire fell. {Ps 18:13} If this wasn't enough, when the Lord spoke, His mighty voice split the rocks on the mountain, creating an aver lance.

         Hence, the people trembled in fear. Thus the people turned to Moses and said, "speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die." Ex 20:19

       Upon this statement, I'm tempted to draw an analogy of, how Moses foreshadow Yeshua, in like Moses, Yeshua was a prophet sent by the Lord, to speck to the people. Though, having establish the fact, the people and the world trembled, upon hearing the Lord's voice. There is coming a day, when the people will hear the Lord's thundering voice once again. Though, instead of shacking the mountain and the wilderness. The whole world will tremble and quake, upon hearing, His voice in the future.

          Because sometime in the midst of Jacob's trouble, a mighty angel will appear out of heaven, cloth with a cloud and a rainbow on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.

 Rev 10:2-3

Why?

         Well when the people left Egypt, there were a group of people, who wasn't committed on leaving. This is significant because when Moses said, "fear not; stand still and see the salvation of G-d." {Ex 14:13} They didn't hear his words. This is significant, because Yeshua's name means, "salvation."

          Thus, when the first sign differculity arose, being not committed, they wanted to return to Egypt. {Num 14:3 } The reason being, they didn't hear the words of Moses in their hearts. Where am I going with this? Knowing this, the Lord spoke in a thundering voice, to impress upon these people's hearts that He is Lord, and the seriousness of keeping His commandments. Thus when He did so, the sound waves of His voice, rattled their bones, testify of His being.

           By contrast when the Lord convicts us, He does so by specking to us in a small still voice, which is the Holy Spirit. Though at the end of the age, there will be a group of people, who upon hearing His voice, wasn't committed. Or they had refused to hear, the Lord's still small voice altogether.

          In turn at the end of the age, the Almighty will once again testify of His being in an awesome way, in the form of seven thunders. Testifying of His being, to in their souls. Though, incredibly as it sounds, there will be large number of people, who will not submit to the truth!

         The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26

A footnote: I have committed to assist a former collage professor of mine, in writing a book. Though, I remain committed, to writing a weekly lesson. However I may have to shorten my lessons somewhat. So, if my lesson become shorted in the future, you will know why?