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establishing more perfect order among the people。
The Lord had greatly honored Moses； and had wrought wonders by his hand； but
the fact that he had been chosen to instruct others did not lead him to
conclude that he himself needed no instruction。 The chosen leader of Israel
listened gladly to the suggestions of the godly priest of Midian； and
adopted his plan as a wise arrangement。
From Rephidim the people continued their journey； following the movement of
the cloudy pillar。 Their route had led across barren plains； over steep
ascents； and through rocky defiles。 Often as they had traversed the sandy
wastes； they had seen before them rugged mountains； like huge bulwarks；
piled up directly across their course； and seeming to forbid all further
progress。 But as they approached； openings here and there appeared in the
mountain wall； and beyond； another plain opened to view。 Through one of the
deep； gravelly passes they were now led。 It was a grand and impressive
scene。 Between the rocky cliffs rising hundreds of feet on either side；
flowed in a living tide； far as the eye could reach； the hosts of Israel
with their flocks and herds。 And now before them in solemn majesty Mount
Sinai lifted its massive front。 The cloudy pillar rested upon its summit；
and the people spread their tents upon the plain beneath。 Here was to be
their home for nearly a year。 At
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night the pillar of fire assured them of the divine protection； and while
they were locked in slumber； the bread of heaven fell gently upon the
encampment。
The dawn gilded the dark ridges of the mountains； and the sun's golden rays
pierced the deep gorges； seeming to these weary travelers like beams of
mercy from the throne of God。 On every hand vast； rugged heights seemed in
their solitary grandeur to speak of eternal endurance and majesty。 Here the
mind was impressed with solemnity and awe。 Man was made to feel his
ignorance and weakness in the presence of Him who 〃weighed the mountains in
scales； and the hills in a balance。〃 Isaiah 40：12。 Here Israel was to
receive the most wonderful revelation ever made by God to men。 Here the Lord
had gathered His people that He might impress upon them the sacredness of
His requirements by declaring with His own voice His holy law。 Great and
radical changes were to be wrought in them； for the degrading influences of
servitude and a long…continued association with idolatry had left their mark
upon habits and character。 God was working to lift them to a higher moral
level by giving them a knowledge of Himself。
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Chapter 27
The Law Given to Israel
Soon after the encampment at Sinai； Moses was called up into the mountain to
meet with God。 Alone he climbed the steep and rugged path； and drew near to
the cloud that marked the place of Jehovah's presence。 Israel was now to be
taken into a close and peculiar relation to the Most Highto be
incorporated as a church and a nation under the government of God。 The
message to Moses for the people was：
〃Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians； and how I bare you on eagles'
wings； and brought you unto Myself。 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： and ye shall be unto Me a
kingdom of priests； and an holy nation。〃
Moses returned to the camp； and having summoned the elders of Israel； he
repeated to them the divine message。 Their answer was； 〃All that the Lord
hath spoken we will do。〃 Thus they entered into a solemn covenant with God；
pledging themselves to accept Him as their ruler； by which they became； in a
special sense； the subjects of His authority。
Again their leader ascended the mountain； and the Lord said unto him； 〃Lo； I
come unto thee in a thick cloud； that the people may hear when I speak with
thee； and believe thee forever。〃 When they met with difficulties in the way；
they were disposed to murmur against Moses and Aaron； and accuse them of
leading the hosts of Israel from Egypt to destroy them。 The Lord would honor
Moses before them； that they might be led to confide in his instructions。
God purposed to make the occasion of speaking His law a scene of awful
grandeur； in keeping with its exalted character。 The people were to be
impressed that everything connected with the service of God must be regarded
with the greatest reverence。
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The Lord said to Moses； 〃Go unto the people； and sanctify them today and
tomorrow； and let them wash their clothes； and be ready against the third
day： for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the
people upon Mount Sinai。〃 During these intervening days all were to occupy
the time in solemn preparation to appear before God。 Their person and their
clothing must be freed from impurity。 And as Moses should point out their
sins； they were to devote themselves to humiliation； fasting； and prayer；
that their hearts might be cleansed from iniquity。
The preparations were made； according to the command； and in obedience to a
further injunction； Moses directed that a barrier be placed about the mount；
that neither man nor beast might intrude upon the sacred precinct。 If any
ventured so much as to touch it； the penalty was instant death。
On the morning of the third day； as the eyes of all the people were turned
toward the mount； its summit was covered with a thick cloud； which grew more
black and dense； sweeping downward until the entire mountain was wrapped in
darkness and awful mystery。 Then a sound as of a trumpet was heard；
summoning the people to meet with God； and Moses led them forth to the base
of the mountain。 From the thick darkness flashed vivid lightnings； while
peals of thunder echoed and re…echoed among the surrounding heights。 〃And
Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke； because the Lord descended upon it in
fire： and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace； and the
whole mount quaked greatly。〃 〃The glory of the Lord was like devouring fire
on the top of the mount〃 in the sight of the assembled multitude。 And 〃the
voice of the trumpet sounded long； and waxed louder and louder。〃 So terrible
were the tokens of Jehovah's presence that the hosts of Israel shook with
fear； and fell upon their faces before the Lord。 Even Moses exclaimed； 〃I
exceedingly fear and quake。〃 Hebrews 12：21。
And now the thunders ceased； the trumpet was no longer heard； the earth was
still。 There was a period of solemn silence； and then the voice of God was
heard。 Speaking out of the thick darkness that enshrouded Him； as He stood
upon the mount； surrounded by a retinue of angels； the Lord made known His
law。 Moses； describing the scene； says： 〃The Lord
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came from Sinai； and rose up from Seir unto them； He shined forth from Mount
Paran； and He came with ten thousands of saints： from His right hand went a
fiery law for them。 Yea； He loved the people； all His saints are in Thy
hand： and they sat