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22. The journey
through the desert.
But the children of
Israel were far from reaching the end of their journey. One must first
travel through the desert before reaching Canaan. But the desert through
which the Israelites had to travel is many days' journey long and wide,
a barren wasteland. There is no road and no footpath. For days on end,
as far as the eye can see, there is nothing but sky and sand and bare
rock. There is no human habitation far and wide, and not a seed falls
into the earth. God led the children of Israel through this desert, and
not even the nearest road. But how did he get them through? -
In the morning, when they were to set out, a high pillar of cloud rose
up before them and preceded them on the way they were to travel, but in
the night a pillar of fire. Every morning it fell like dew from the sky.
They were small round grains, sweet as honey, and covered the ground far
and wide. This is the manna or bread from heaven with which they were
nourished in the desert. From time to time, large flocks of migratory
birds also settled in the camp of the Israelites and offered themselves
for food, as it were. At the right time they also came to fresh, living
springs of water, which God miraculously caused to gush forth from the
sand or rocks in the arid, scorched land for their refreshment.
But what joy awaited Moses on the way? Did not his father-in-law Jethro
come to him from the land of Midian and bring him his wife and children,
Gershon and Eliezer, to go with him and stay with him? So God can
rejoice even in the desert. The experienced Jethro gave him some good
advice. Moses followed it. For God admonishes man what he should do, not
only inwardly in his mind, but also outwardly through other people,
especially through pious parents and relatives. Whoever listens to God
also listens to understanding and pious people.
Now when they had arrived at Mount Sinai and had encamped, a great event
took place. Moses told them that they would now receive the law from God.
On the third morning after they were there, a thick cloud arose on the
mountain and there was thunder and lightning and the sound of a very
powerful trumpet. The whole Mount Sinai smoked and shook, and the sound
of the trumpet grew stronger, and all the people stood on the mountain
below in their clean clothes.
Then a voice came out of the thundercloud, saying:
‘I am the Lord your God.
You shall have no other gods before me!
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, nor any likeness,
neither of that which is in heaven above, nor of that which is in the
earth beneath, nor of that which is in the water under the earth.
Do not worship them or serve them. I am a jealous God, visiting the sin
of the fathers on the children who hate me, and showing mercy to many
thousands who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the day of rest and keep it holy. Six days you shall labour,
but on the seventh is the day of rest of the LORD your God; you shall do
no work on it.
You shall honour your father and your mother, that you may live long in
the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
You shall not kill!
You shall not commit adultery!
Thou shalt not steal!
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
Do not lust after your neighbour's wife or anything your neighbour has.’
These are the ten commandments that God gave to the children of Israel
on Mount Sinai.
Remember: God has not forgotten the children. He does not forget the
children. ‘You shall honour your father and your mother.’ Give me, my
child, your heart and let my ways please your eyes! On this and other
occasions, the Israelites also received many other beautiful laws of
justice, fairness and gentleness. ‘You shall not curse the deaf, nor
give offence to the blind. For you shall fear your God!
You shall not insult widows and orphans and strangers! You shall honour
old age! You shall have mercy on your livestock! You shall not harm
trees!’
Moses also had the Ark of the Covenant made. The Ten Commandments were
kept in it on two stone tablets. It was a sign of God's gracious
presence in the midst of the people. He also made the tabernacle, a
precious tent under which the glory of God, namely the ark of the
covenant, dwelt and where worship was held. He also decreed how worship
and the priests were to be conducted.
Three high festivals were to be celebrated annually: Easter, Pentecost
or the harvest festival, the feast of tabernacles or the grape harvest.
All the men of Israel, as well as women and children, would gather on
these days at the tabernacle of the congregation to rejoice together
before the Lord their God, to thank him for his good deeds and to be
together as brothers and friends. It is beautiful and sweet when
brothers and friends from distant places meet again and are together in
unity.
But all the priests of the Israelites had to be of the family of Levi.
Moses and Aaron were of the family of Levi.
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