CHILDREN STS VOL.

2 - LESSON 2

MOSES RECEIVES THE LAW AT MOUNT SINAI

Exodus 19:1-25; 20:1-26; 21:1-36; 22:1-31; 23:1-33; 24:1-18

Imagine a continent, country, state, community, organisation, school or a family where there
are no guiding rules. There will definitely be conflicts and troubles. Where there is no law, there
is no sin. Evil doings will be the normal way of life and many bad actions of boys and girls will
go unchecked. Few months after Israel's departure from Egypt (Exodus), God decided to give
them laws that will guide them (Exodus 19:1,4,5) as they journeyed through the wilderness to
Canaan, the promise land.
Friends of Jesus today, must not neglect the power of Bible precepts and principles, as
they go through the wilderness of the world, where Satan and his demons roar like hungry and
wounded lions seeking whom to devour. We all need divine instructions to direct and guide us
on our way to heaven. These divine instructions are in the Holy Bible.

1. MOSES LED ISRAEL TO MOUNT SINAI: Exodus 19:1-25

Moses led the people from Rephidim through the desert to the foot of Mount Sinai. They
camped there, and God called Moses to come up to the mountain. The presence of God was
accompanied with thunder and lightning and a thick cloud. God appeared on Mount Sinai in a
fearful form to: (i) Show His holiness and power (ii) Make the people have faith in Him and
respect His servant, Moses. (iii) Put His fear in the hearts of the people so that they will not sin
against Him (God). (iv) Teach the people to know that there is punishment for the disobedient
(v) Establish His covenant with the children of Israel. (vi) Teach the people His ways so that
they can be a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priest and a holy nation unto Him.
All these was to prepare the people to receive the covenant laws. Moses called the elders
of the people and relayed all the words of the Lord unto them. The people responded by saying
“… All that the LORD hath spoken we will do …” (Exodus 19:8). As friends of Jesus, we are in a
covenant relationship with God. We must live a holy life, obey God's word and serve Him in
fear and righteousness all the days of our lives.

2. MOSES RECEIVES THE LAW: Exodus 20:1-26; 21:1-36; 22:1-3

The handing over of God's law through Moses was one of the most important aspects of
the Israelites' experience at Mount Sinai. This law is often referred to as the Mosaic law. It can
be divided into three categories.
A. The moral law: This is the ten commandments written by God on two tables of stone and
handed over to Moses. They are rules and regulations pertaining to our relationship with God
and with one another. The first four commandments concern our relationship with God. They
are: (i) Thou shalt have no other gods before me (verse 3). (ii) Thou shalt not make unto thee
any graven image (verse 4). (iii) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain;
for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain
(verse 7). (iv) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (verse 8).
The remaining six commandments concern our relationship with other people. These are:
(i) Honour thy father and thy mother (verse 12) (ii) Thou shalt not kill (verse 13). (iii) Thou
shalt not commit adultery (verse 14). (iv) Thou shalt not steal (verse 15). (v) Thou shalt not
bear false witness against thy neighbour (verse 16). (vi) Thou shalt not covet (verse 17). These
commandments are not meant to be memorized alone; they are to be obeyed. The
commandments of God to man is in the Holy Bible. This is the only book containing the word
of God. Anyone who obeys and lives by the word of God shall live.
B. The social laws which is also known as civil laws. These laws govern the interpersonal
relationship of the people. For example - laws about servants, settling disagreements,
properties, justice, restitution, marriage and other things (Exodus 21,22).
C. Spiritual or ceremonial laws: These deal with the system of worship among the children
of Israel. The laws given to Moses for Israel was designed to control their behaviour, define
what sin is, show Israel the consequences of going against God's will and doing wrong, and to
stir up their need for God's mercy, grace and salvation.
 The Old Testament law acted as a temporary guardian for God's people until Christ came.
This old covenant has now been replaced by the new covenant, where God discloses fully His
plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Now, a sinner has the freedom to come to Jesus to enjoy
salvation, live victoriously and get to heaven at last.

1. THE MEDIATOR AND BEARER OF THE NEW COVENANT: Exodus 24:1-18

The children of Israel received the law through Moses. They pledged to obey but they
could not honour their pledge. They always did wrong things which led to punishment from
God. We now have a better covenant through which we can receive forgiveness and cleansing
from all sins. The Mediator and bearer of this new covenant is Jesus Christ. The old covenant
was sealed with Israel through the sprinkling of the blood of animals, showing that sacrifices
of atonement were necessary to maintain their relationship with God.
This was the reason Jesus came into the world. He suffered, died, shed His blood on the
cross to establish the new covenant. Therefore, a sinful child must come to Jesus for cleansing
by taking these steps: (a) Realise your sinful state and that you cannot save yourself. (b)
Confess your sins to God. (c) Ask God for forgiveness and cleansing with the blood of Jesus.
(d) Invite Jesus into your heart to be your Saviour and Lord. (e) Believe that you are saved.
The following blessings become yours as you read/keep God's word daily: peace in your
heart, God's power and presence, protection from evil, good health, provision and eternity with
God in heaven.

QUESTIONS:
1. Where did Moses receive the law?
2. What are the components of the law that Moses received?
3. Why did God give the laws?
4. (a) What does the blood of the covenant signifies?
(b) Who is the Bearer of the new covenant?
5. What should: (a) a sinner do to have a covenant relationship with
God (b) a friend of Jesus do to maintain a covenant relationship with God.

MEMORY VERSE: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my
covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the
earth is mine” (Exodus 19:5).

LESSON: God's laws are meant to be obeyed.

THOUGHT: I will obey God's law so as to be blessed.
ACTIVITY: Draw the tables of stone and write the ten commandments on it.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 83 - THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART
CHORUSES: (1) For this God is my God ... (2) Obedience is the very best way ... (3) This B I
B L E is good enough for me ...
HOMEWORK: Write out at least three people in the Old Testament that God made covenant
with.

DAILY BIBLE READING

MONDAY MATTHEW 5:17-19
TUESDAY MATTHEW 5:20-22
WEDNESDAY MATTHEW 5:27,28
THURSDAY MATTHEW 5:29,30
FRIDAY MATTHEW 5:33-37
SATURDAY MATTHEW 5:38-42
SUNDAY MATTHEW 5:43-48

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
1. Pitched 2. Peculiar 3. Covenant 4. Sanctify 5. Guiltless.