LESSON SIX:
MAKING THE SINAI COVENANT (EXODUS 19: 24 1 –
Learning outcomes
a. Describe the Sinai Covenant
b. Sealing of the Covenant
The Sinai covenant
God made a covenavt with the sraelites. God had specific instructions on how
the Israelites were to prepare to make the new covenant. Before making the
covenant, God brought Israelites to the foot of Mt. Sinai and asked Moses to ask
them if they were willing to make the covenant with HIM. GOD asked them to
enter into a personal relationship as a community with HIM. The Israelites agreed
to make a covenant.
They agreed to obey all God’s commands. God then promised to make them;
i. His people
ii. A kingdom of priests
iii. A holy nation
God wanted to confirm that Moses was His true prophet. He therefore told Moses
that
He would come in a thick cloud to meet Israelites.
In preparation for God’s coming on Mt. Sinai the
Israelites were to:
I. Make themselves holy by washing their clothes (garments)
II. Mark the boundaries on the foot of the mountain to prevent any person or
animal from climbing the mountain.
III. To abstain from sexual relations
At Mt Sinai, God manifested His presence in the form of thunder, lightening,
earthquake and a thick cloud of smoke that covered the whole mountain. In
addition, there was a loud trumpet blast that made the people tremble. Moses
climbed the mountain.
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments after sealing the covenant.
Sealing of the covenant.
The Lord told Moses “Come up the mountain to me, you and Aaron, Nadab,
Abibu and 70 of Israel leaders. At a distance bow down in worship, and come
alone to me..”
A ceremony was then prepared to seal the covenant. This is how it was sealed:
a. Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain.
b. He set up twelve stones, which represented the twelve tribes of Israel.
c. He then sent young men to burn sacrifices to the Lord and sacrificed some
cattle as fellowship offering and peace offerings to God (EX 24 vs. 5).
d. Moses took half the blood of animals and poured it in bowls; and the other half
he threw against the altar (vs. 6). He then took the book of the covenant, and
read it aloud to the Israelites who responded by saying “all that the Lord has
spoken we will do; and we shall be obedient”
e. Moses then took the blood in the bowls and sprinkled it over the people;
saying “ This is the blood that seals the covenant which the Lord made with you
when he gave all these commands.”
Theophany. God’s presence manifested itself in several ways such as:
The burning bush (during the call of Moses)
Pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud – Exodus story
The mighty wind, earthquake, still small voice – story of Elijah
Thunder, lighting, smoking mountain – Exodus of Israelites from the wilderness
These were physical manifestations of God’s presence
LESSON TEN: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Exodus. 20: 1 – 17)
While on Mount Sinai, God gave Moses Ten Commandments written on a stone
tablet. The first four commandments deal with relationship between man and
God.
God said:
1. You shall have no other gods but me.
2. You shall not make yourself a graven image.
3. You shall not mention Gods’ name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
The last six commandments give man’s relationship with fellow human beings.
God said:
5. Honor you father and mother that your days may be long on earth.
6. You shall not kill.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s property.
b. Israelites understand the nature of god form the ten commandments
The Israelites had a new and wider revelation about God. Besides GOD being a
caring, loving, and a provider, they learnt that:
a. God is a jealous God. He does not allow the worship of others gods. He alone
should be worshipped.
b. God does not condone evil. He punishes those who cause/engage in it.
c. God values a personal relationship with his people.
d. God wants people to live in harmony among them.
e. God forgives those who repent. He is loving, merciful and compassionate
f. God is a healer – he healed Israelites in the wilderness when a snake attacked
them
g. God is a God of victory. He defeated the Amalekites, perizzites, and Hittites
etc.
h. God is faithful and can be depended upon.
i. God is holy, slow to anger, powerful and just.
j. God demands obedience to His commands.
Revision questions
a. What are the qualities of Moses as a leader?
b (i). Describe the call of Moses (exodus 3:1-22)
(ii). Why was Moses hesitant to God’s call?
c (i). What is the significance of the items used for the Passover feast (similar to
what is the meaning ofthe Passover meal)
(ii). Compare the lord’s supper to the Passover feast
d. Describe how the Sinai covenant was made
e. Describe the circumstances that lead to the breaking of the Sinai covenant
f. How was the broken covenant renewed?
g. Describe how the Israelites worshipped God in the wilderness
h. What is the relevance of the ten commandments?
i. What did the Israelites learn about god in the wilderness?
