Exodus 19 & 20

At our July 22 Dinner & Discussion, we studied Exodus 19 & 20.

Synopsis:
God meets with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, and delivers the ten commandments. The people freak out, out of fear, and ask that Moses be their mediator from then on.

• We looked up a few instances of New Testament authors referencing the material we were reading to remind ourselves of its continued relevance. Those guys really knew their stuff!


• We learned that most of the ten commandments carried the death penalty, and that most of them were re-stated in the New Testament.
  
• We discussed the difference between idol worship and the use of art in worship, as well as the use of art in general.


• We also discussed what it means in the modern context to "misuse the Lord's name": swearing - G.D. & J.C. (when my wife first became a christian, she replaced J.C. with "cheese & rice"), using it idly - "oh my God", and even using it in merchandising - bracelets, coffee mugs, t-shirts, etc.

Other thoughts brought out by the text:

• internal thought life vs. external actions


• the need for a mediator between man and God


• sabbath as a day for rest and worship


• does Paul do away with the sabbath commandment altogether?


• Jesus said to stop swearing oaths and "just let your yes be yes and your no be no."


• God can put on a pretty good (terrifying) show when He wants to.

Our next Dinner & Discussion will be Aug. 5 at 6 pm - we will be discussing Exodus 21 - 23:13 - proper use of altars, fair treatment of slaves, personal injury, property rights, social responsibility, and a call for justice.