Christian Religion (C.R.E) Form 1 Notes : SINAI COVENANT

SINAI COVENANT

THE CALL OF MOSES

One day, Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, who was a priest of Midian. When Moses came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that although the bush was on fire, it was not burning up.

Moses went over to the burning bush to look. God called him from within the bush, saying, “Moses! Moses!” He replied, “Here I am.” God then told Moses not to come closer and to take off his sandals, for the place where he was standing was holy ground.

God introduced Himself as the God of his father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God said He had seen the misery and suffering of the Israelites in Egypt and had heard their cry. God had come down to rescue the Israelites from the hand of the Egyptians and to take them to their home, the land of the Canaanites, a land flowing with milk and honey.

God told Moses that He was sending him to go to Pharaoh and bring out the Israelites, the people of God, from Egypt. Moses resisted the call, asking God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God promised to be with him and said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.'”

Moses was told to assemble the elders of Israel and inform them that God was going to deliver them from Egypt. Moses was then to go to the king of Egypt with the elders and tell him, “The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us.” (Exodus 3:1–22)

God’s Sign to Moses

Moses was given several signs by God in case the people of Israel did not believe him:

First sign: His staff turned into a snake when he threw it down. When he touched the snake’s tail, it turned back into his staff.
Second sign: God asked Moses to put his hand inside his cloak, and it became as white as snow—leprous. He was asked to put it back into his cloak, and it was restored.
Moses further complained that he was a stammerer. God then appointed Aaron, his brother, as his spokesman.

Reasons Moses Gave Against the Call

He felt unworthy of the call.
He wondered who he was to tell the Israelites that God had sent him.
Moses said that he was a stammerer, so he let God choose a spokesperson.

Moses, however, heeded the call and went back to Egypt together with his family. God promised to be with him and perform signs before Pharaoh.

What Does the Name Moses Mean?

It means “drawn out of water.”

What Did Moses Learn About God from His Calling?

Moses learned that:

God is caring, merciful, and concerned about the welfare of His people—the Israelites.
God is transcendent—He is beyond human understanding and cannot be limited to time and space.
God chooses whomever He wills to carry out His plans. He chose Abraham, an old man and moon worshipper, and now Moses, a murderer, a fugitive, and a stammerer.
God expects total obedience and faith from those He chooses.
God is powerful, eternal, and omnipresent.
God is holy.
God is a God of history, meaning He is concerned with His people’s welfare.
God is mysterious—He manifested Himself in the burning bush that was not consumed.

How Did God Prepare Moses to Be the Future Leader of the Israelites?

His life was spared when he was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter.
He was nursed by his own mother, who taught him about Yahweh and his true identity.
Life in the wilderness hardened him to be bold and to persevere through hardships.
He learned to be patient, keen, and responsible as a shepherd.
He acquired leadership skills while living at Pharaoh’s palace.
He learned literacy and numeracy skills (educational skills) at the palace.
He was not a stranger to Pharaoh; hence, he could approach him freely.

THE TEN PLAGUES (EXODUS 7:14–11:10)

During the call of Moses at Mount Sinai, God gave Moses a rod with which he could perform mighty signs before the Israelites and Pharaoh. Aaron was to be his spokesman. Moses and Aaron gathered the Israelite elders and leaders to tell them what God had said. After Moses performed the miracles God showed him, the Israelite leaders believed him.

They then approached Pharaoh to ask him to release the Israelites. However, instead of releasing them, Pharaoh became crueler and gave the Israelites harder work.

When Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites, God instructed Moses to bring ten plagues upon Egypt. These plagues brought great trouble and suffering to the Egyptians.

Ten Plagues

1) The Plague of Blood (Exodus 7:14–25)

Moses and Aaron used the rod as God instructed and struck the waters of the river. All the water in the rivers, canals, and pools in Egypt turned into blood. All the fish died, and there was no water to drink. This situation lasted for seven days. However, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not release the Israelites.

2) The Plague of Frogs (Exodus 8:1–15)

God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh that if he refused to release the Israelites, the whole land would be covered with frogs. At Moses’ command, Aaron held out the rod, and frogs covered the whole land. Pharaoh pleaded with Moses and Aaron to pray to the Lord to get rid of the frogs, promising to release the Israelites. They prayed, and all the frogs died. Pharaoh, however, changed his mind and refused to release the Israelites.

3) Plague of Gnats (Exodus 8:16–19)

The Lord instructed Moses to tell Aaron to strike the ground. Aaron did so, and all the dust in Egypt turned into gnats or small biting flies. The magicians of Egypt could perform the first two plagues but could not bring the plague of gnats. Egyptians acknowledged that the gnats were God’s work. But even with this, Pharaoh still refused to release the Israelites.

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4) Plague of Flies (Exodus 8:20–32)

The Lord warned Pharaoh through Moses that God would send swarms of flies to the Egyptian houses, but the Israelites’ houses would be spared. Even after this plague, Pharaoh’s heart hardened even more.

5) Death of Cattle (Exodus 9:1–7)

A plague of disease befell the Egyptian cattle. Not a single Israelite’s animal died. Pharaoh was not moved and refused to let the Israelites go.

6) Plague of Boils (Exodus 9:8–12)

Moses threw ashes into the air as God instructed, which produced boils that became open sores on the skin of the Egyptians. Unmoved by the suffering, Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites leave.

7) Plague of Hail (Exodus 9:13–35)

Moses raised his rod, and there was a hailstorm with lightning and thunder. People, animals, and plants struck by lightning died. Pharaoh promised to let the Israelites go, but as soon as Moses prayed for the hailstorm to stop, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let them leave.

8) Plague of Locusts (Exodus 10:1–20)

Locusts covered the whole land and ate all the crops in the fields, including what had not been destroyed by the hailstorm. When Moses prayed to God for the locusts to leave, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let the Israelites leave.

9) Plague of Darkness (Exodus 10:21–29)

God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand to heaven. There was total darkness in Egypt for three days, but there was light where the Israelites lived. Pharaoh remained unmoved and would not release the Israelites.

10) Death of Egyptian First-born Males (Exodus 11:1–31)

After the plague of darkness, God sent Moses to Pharaoh again, telling him that this time even his family would be affected. The Lord would kill all the first-born Egyptian sons and first-born male animals at midnight. This plague occurred during the night of Passover. Pharaoh was moved and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt.

What Do the Plagues Tell Us About God’s Attributes?

God:

Empowers His people to perform miracles and do His work.
Is Almighty and more powerful than the Egyptian gods.
Is determined to fulfill His plans.
Is a God of justice who protects the oppressed.
Gives everyone a chance to repent. Each time Pharaoh promised to release the Israelites, God relieved the Egyptians from the plagues.
Fulfills His promises—He promised Abraham to deliver his descendants from foreign lands.
Expects total obedience and faith.
Communicates His will through natural events.
Is caring and loving.

PASSOVER (EXODUS 12:1–30, 19, 20, 34)

The tenth plague is called the Passover. It happened on the fourteenth day of the month. The Israelites were to offer one-year-old lamb per family. If a family was too small, they were to share the lamb with their neighbors. If a lamb was not available, a one-year-old goat could also be used. They were told to:

Slaughter the lamb or goat and smear some of the blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes of their houses.
Roast the meat and eat it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread (bread without yeast). Any leftovers were to be burned with fire.
Eat in a hurry while fully dressed and having packed their belongings. They were told to borrow silver, clothing, jewelry, and gold from the Egyptians.
On the same night, the ‘angel of death’ would kill every firstborn male and animal in houses without blood on the doorposts.
The angel of death would pass over the houses with blood, sparing them. The blood was a sign indicating a house of Israelites. When the Lord sees the blood, He will pass over that house (v.13).
The Israelites were told to celebrate and commemorate the Passover from generation to generation as a festival to the Lord.
The Israelites were not allowed to come out of their houses on the night of Passover.
At midnight, the Lord struck down all firstborn in Egypt—from Pharaoh’s household to the firstborn of prisoners and livestock.
There was loud wailing over Egypt. Every house had someone dead.

Significance of Items Used During the Passover

Roasted Meat – the easiest method of preparing food since the Israelites were to leave in a short time.
Bitter Herbs – a reminder of the suffering, hardships, and slavery experienced in Egypt.
Eating While Standing – deliverance was near, hence the need to leave in a hurry.
Eating While Fully Dressed with Their Belongings at Hand – signified quick deliverance; Israelites should be ready to leave Egypt at once.
Eating Unleavened Bread – the bread was to be eaten with none left over; hence, no yeast was added for preservation.
Collecting Jewelry – God had promised Abraham that after slavery for four hundred and thirty years, his descendants would be freed with great possessions.
Remaining Indoors – for security from death. Anyone outside was killed.
Blood on Doorposts – a sign for deliverance. The angel of death would pass over doors with blood.

THE EXODUS

Introduction

Exodus means the movement of a large number of people.

Crossing the Red Sea

During the night of the Passover, Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and told them to leave to go and worship their Lord. All the Israelites, their flocks, and herds were urged to leave in a hurry. Pharaoh took his chariot army and followed the Israelites, finding them camped by the Red Sea.

God led the Israelites over the desert towards the Red Sea. Moses took the body (bones) of Joseph, as Joseph had requested the Israelites to do: “When God rescues you, you must carry my body with you from this place” (Exodus 13:19).

During the day, the Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud (angel of God) to show them the way, and during the night, the Lord went in front in a pillar of fire to give them light so they could travel day and night. This pillar of cloud led the Israelites by day and night.

The Egyptian army followed the Israelites and caught up with them by the Red Sea where they had camped.

Moses asked the scared Israelites to move near the sea.

God told Moses to lift up his stick and hold it over the sea. The waters of the Red Sea divided, and the Israelites crossed the sea on dry ground with walls of water on both sides. The angel of God and the pillar of cloud, which had been in front of the army of Israel, moved behind the Israelites and provided light as they crossed.

The Egyptian army pursued the Israelites. The pillar of cloud made it dark for the Egyptians, who could not see where they were going. Just before daylight, the Lord looked at the Egyptians from the pillar of cloud and fire and threw the Egyptian army into confusion. Moses was asked by the Lord to stretch out his hand. He did so, and the waters returned to their normal level, drowning the Egyptian army and their horses.

God Protected the Israelites During the Exodus By:

Making them cross the Red Sea on dry ground.
Providing water in the wilderness.
Providing manna and quails.
Defeating the Amalekites—their enemies.
Protecting them from snakes and diseases in the wilderness.

Provision of Water in the Wilderness

The Israelites traveled in the desert for three days without water. The water they found at Marah was bitter and could not be drunk. They called the place “Marah,” meaning “bitter.” This made them complain. Moses prayed to the Lord.

The Lord showed Moses a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and it became fit to drink. God continued providing the Israelites with water.

Again, the Israelites lacked water and complained bitterly (Exodus 17:1–9). God instructed Moses to strike a rock, and water came out of it. Moses called that place “Massah,” meaning “testing,” and “Meribah,” meaning “rebellion,” because the Israelites quarreled and tested God.

Provision of Manna and Quails (Exodus 16:1–35)

As the Israelites traveled through the desert, they ran out of food. They were hungry and complained to Moses. Their complaints displeased the Lord because they often told Moses they wished he had let them die in Egypt instead of dying in the wilderness. This showed that the Israelites did not trust God to provide for them.

In the morning, they were given manna, which is a Hebrew word for the type of bread given to the Israelites by God. The bread looked like wafers or flakes and tasted like coriander seed.

In the evening, God provided the Israelites with quail meat. The provision of manna and quails lasted for 40 years.

On the sixth day of each week, God gave them food for two days—one for the sixth day and the other for the seventh day (Sabbath).

DEFEAT OF THE AMALEKITES (Exodus 17:8–16)

Challenges Faced by the Israelites During the Exodus

During the Exodus, the Israelites faced the challenge of the Amalekites, desert nomads who attacked them in the wilderness. When the Amalekite army came against the Israelites, Moses ordered Joshua to gather men and fight.

God promised to destroy the Amalekites forever. During the battle, Moses held up his rod. Each time he raised his hands with the rod, the Amalekites were defeated. When he lowered his hands, the Israelites were defeated. Because of this, Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ hands until the Amalekites were defeated.

In the wilderness, God protected the Israelites from snakebites. He also used a cloud to protect them from the scorching heat during the day. At night, the pillar of fire provided warmth to protect them from the harsh cold of the wilderness.

The Importance of the Exodus in the History of the Israelites

The Exodus showed the Israelites that:

God loves and tolerates His people.
God did not abandon the Israelites despite their lack of faith.
God gave the Israelites encouragement through His servant Moses.
It was the end of the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt.
Moses was God’s chosen leader.

MAKING THE SINAI COVENANT (EXODUS 19:1–24)

The Sinai Covenant

God and the Israelites

God had specific instructions on how the Israelites were to prepare to make the new covenant. Before making the covenant, God brought the Israelites to the foot of Mount 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 and to obey all God’s commands. God then promised to make them:

His people
A kingdom of priests
A holy nation

God and Moses

God wanted to confirm that Moses was His true prophet. He told Moses that He would come in a thick cloud to meet the Israelites. In preparation for God’s coming on Mount Sinai, the Israelites were to:

Make themselves holy by washing their clothes (garments).
Mark the boundaries at the foot of the mountain to prevent any person or animal from climbing it.
Abstain from sexual relations.

At Mount Sinai, God manifested His presence in the form of thunder, lightning, 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, Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s leaders. At a distance, bow down in worship, and come alone to me.”

A ceremony was then prepared to seal the covenant as follows:

Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain.
He set up twelve stones, which represented the twelve tribes of Israel.
He sent young men to burn sacrifices to the Lord and sacrificed some cattle as fellowship offerings and peace offerings to God (Exodus 24:5).
Moses took half the blood of the animals and poured it in bowls; the other half he threw against the altar (v.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.”
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, lightning, smoking mountain (Exodus of Israelites from the wilderness)

These were physical manifestations of God’s presence.

BREAKING THE SINAI COVENANT (Exodus 32:1–35; 34:6–8)

The Israelites dishonored their pledge to obey God upon sealing the covenant. Moses went back to talk to God on the mountain and left Aaron in charge of the Israelites’ affairs. He stayed on the mountain for forty days. The Lord revealed His glory to Moses at Mount Sinai and declared His character: “The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love, forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin” (Exodus 34:6).

The Israelites urged Aaron to make them gods that they could see. Aaron agreed and melted the rings of gold to mold a golden calf. The Israelites were happy and said, “This is our god who took us out of Egypt.” They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to it and indulged themselves in eating, drinking, and sexual immorality. By accepting a golden calf as their god, the Israelites expected it to give them the same strength and fertility as the Egyptian gods. Through this act, they broke their covenant with God.

When Moses came down from the mountain, he found the Israelites worshipping the golden calf. He was angry and threw down the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. Moses then burned the golden calf into powder, mixed it with water, and made those worshipping the calf drink the mixture. Moses ordered those who had sinned to be killed.

RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT (Exodus 34:1–14)

The renewal of the covenant came after Moses pleaded with God not to destroy the Israelites after they broke the covenant. God spared the Israelites and agreed to renew the covenant with them. He gave them several conditions for its renewal.

Conditions for the Renewal of the Covenant

The Israelites were to:

Obey God’s commandments.
Not make any treaty with those who lived in the land where they were going.
Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and cut down their Asherah (idols). Not worship any other god or make idols for worship.
Keep the feast of unleavened bread (Passover).
Not marry people from other tribes.
Rest on the Sabbath day.
Sacrifice and offer their best produce and animals to God.

God in Turn Promised to:

Bless, protect, and preserve the Israelites.
Make them prosper so much that surrounding nations would inquire about their source of wealth and success.

With these conditions, the covenant between God and the Israelites was renewed. From the making and renewal of the covenant, it is clear that:

God expected the Israelites to obey and have faith in Him.
God wanted a personal relationship with the Israelites.
God is the only one to be worshipped.
God is powerful.

WORSHIPING GOD IN THE WILDERNESS

a. God’s purpose in delivering the Israelites from Egypt was to worship and offer sacrifices to Him in the wilderness. He also intended to fulfill His promises to Abraham.

b. Features of worshiping God in the wilderness:

The Israelites worshiped God through intermediaries—priests from the tribe of Levi.
The Israelites were guided in their worship and daily living by the Ten Commandments and other ordinances.
The Ark of the Covenant was made in the wilderness. It was God’s dwelling place, a special box placed in the tabernacle, a portable tent. The ark symbolized the presence of God and was carried wherever the Israelites went.
Offerings of farm products or agricultural produce were given to God. These included vegetables, flour, oil, and fruits.
Other offerings to God included drinks and incense. The offerings could be burnt, baked, boiled, or roasted.
There were several sacrifices, including:
- Burnt offerings (Holocaust) – burning a whole animal completely.
- Sin offering/atonement – sacrifice offered when one had sinned and wanted forgiveness.
- Peace offering – part of an animal was offered, while the people ate part of the meat.
- Gift offering – the best animal was given to God as thanksgiving.
- Animals such as sheep, goats, bulls, and birds were sacrificed to God.
Festivals and feasts observed by the Israelites included:
- Feast of Passover and unleavened bread.
- Harvest festival – feast of weeks or Pentecost, marking the celebration of the wheat harvest.
- Feast of gathering/shelters, celebrated during the season when the Israelites gathered fruits from orchards.
- Feast of tabernacles, celebrated to remember when the Israelites dwelt in tents.
- The Israelites kept the Sabbath day and worshiped God through singing, worship, and dancing.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Exodus 20:1–17)

a. The Ten Commandments

While on Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments written on stone tablets. The first four commandments deal with the relationship between man and God. God said:

You shall have no other gods but me.
You shall not make yourself a graven image.
You shall not mention God’s name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

The last six commandments give man’s relationship with fellow human beings. God said:

Honor your father and mother so that your days may be long on earth.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s property.

These commandments emphasize: (1) Worshiping God, (2) Being faithful to God, (3) Resting, (4) Respecting parental authority, (5) Loving humanity, (6) Being faithful to your spouse, (7) Respecting other people’s property, (8) Being truthful always, and (9) Being satisfied with what God has given you.

b. Israelites’ Understanding of the Nature of God

The Israelites had a new and wider revelation about God. Besides God being caring, loving, and a provider, they learned that:

God is a jealous God who does not allow the worship of other gods. He alone should be worshiped.
God does not condone evil and punishes those who cause or engage in it.
God values a personal relationship with His people.
God wants people to live in harmony among themselves.
God forgives those who repent. He is loving, merciful, and compassionate.
God is a healer—He healed the Israelites in the wilderness when snakes attacked them.
God is a God of victory—He defeated the Amalekites, Perizzites, Hittites, and others.
God is faithful and can be depended upon.
God is holy, slow to anger, powerful, and just.
God demands obedience to His commands.

Revision Questions

What are the qualities of Moses as a leader?
1. Describe the call of Moses (Exodus 3:1–22).
2. Why was Moses hesitant to God’s call?
1. What is the significance of the items used for the Passover feast?
2. Compare the Lord’s Supper to the Passover feast.
Describe how the Sinai covenant was made.
Describe the circumstances that led to the breaking of the Sinai covenant.
How was the broken covenant renewed?
Describe how the Israelites worshiped God in the wilderness.
What is the relevance of the Ten Commandments?
What did the Israelites learn about God in the wilderness?