Why is it important to "teach them" as instructed in Exodus 24:12? Setting the Scene: Exodus 24:12 “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and the commandments I have written for their instruction.’” The Divine Imperative God does not merely suggest instruction; He establishes it at the very moment He hands Moses the law. • Teaching flows from God’s own initiative—He writes, then commands Moses to relay. • Because the source is divine, the content carries absolute authority (Psalm 19:7). • Neglecting to teach would be ignoring a direct command from the One who redeemed Israel from Egypt. Shaping Covenant Identity Israel’s identity hinged on knowing and living God’s revealed words. • The law distinguished them from surrounding nations (Leviticus 20:26). • Teaching embedded that distinction into daily life—festivals, diet, worship, justice. • Without instruction, the people would quickly lose sight of who they were and whom they served (Judges 2:10). Passing the Torch Across Generations God designed truth to be transferred, not hoarded. • Deuteronomy 6:6-7: “And you shall teach them diligently to your children…” • Regular, intentional instruction safeguards against generational drift into idolatry. • Future leaders emerge from the homes and communities where Scripture is continually rehearsed (Psalm 78:5-7). Guarding Against Sin and Drift Knowledge of God’s commands provides the moral compass Israel—and we—desperately need. • Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” • Teaching exposes sin, offers correction, and points to restoration (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • The moment instruction ceases, people begin to do “what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Forming a Holy Community Instruction was meant for an entire nation, not isolated individuals. • Shared teaching produces shared values, enabling true unity (Nehemiah 8:1-8). • Justice, compassion, and worship flourish when everyone knows the same standards (Micah 6:8). • A taught community becomes a living testimony to surrounding cultures (Deuteronomy 4:6-8). Equipping for Mission God’s plan always included blessing the nations through Israel (Genesis 12:3). • Accurate teaching readies God’s people to represent Him faithfully. • Jesus echoes this in Matthew 28:19-20: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” • Whether on Sinai or at the Great Commission, instruction propels God’s mission forward. Practical Takeaways Today • Prioritize Scripture: personal reading, family devotions, congregational teaching. • Make it clear and engaging—explain, illustrate, apply (Nehemiah 8:8). • Model obedience so teaching is validated by life (James 1:22). • Commit to generational faithfulness—invest in children, youth, and new believers. • Guard doctrine: hold to the full counsel of God’s Word amidst cultural pressures (Jude 3). Conclusion “Teach them” matters because God’s authoritative words shape identity, preserve truth, guard against sin, build community, and equip His people for mission. To teach is to honor the God who spoke, to bless those who listen, and to ensure His glory is known from generation to generation. |
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