Topical Bible: Trouble: when Moses Waited Upon the Mountain

◄ Trouble: when Moses Waited Upon the Mountain ►

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The episode of Moses waiting upon Mount Sinai is a significant event in the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of divine revelation, human impatience, and the consequences of disobedience. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, chapters 24 and 32.

Context and Setting

After the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, they journeyed to Mount Sinai, where God intended to establish His covenant with them. Moses, as the chosen leader and mediator, ascended the mountain to receive the Law from God. Exodus 24:12 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.'"

Moses on the Mountain

Moses remained on the mountain for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18). During this time, he received detailed instructions regarding the construction of the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and various laws that would govern the Israelite community. This period was marked by Moses' direct communion with God, highlighting the importance of patience and obedience in waiting for divine guidance.

The People's Impatience and Idolatry

While Moses was on the mountain, the Israelites grew restless and impatient. Their inability to wait for Moses' return led them to demand that Aaron make them a god to lead them. Exodus 32:1 records their plea: "When the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!'"

In response, Aaron fashioned a golden calf, and the people engaged in idolatrous worship, violating the very commandments that Moses was receiving from God. This act of rebellion demonstrated the Israelites' lack of faith and their susceptibility to reverting to pagan practices.

Divine Anger and Intercession

God's anger was kindled against the Israelites for their idolatry. In Exodus 32:9-10 , the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people. Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation."

Moses, however, interceded on behalf of the people, pleading with God to spare them and reminding Him of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses' intercession is a powerful example of a leader's responsibility to advocate for his people, even in the face of their transgressions.

Moses' Return and the Aftermath

Upon descending the mountain and witnessing the people's idolatry, Moses' anger burned hot. He shattered the tablets of the Law, symbolizing the broken covenant between God and Israel. Moses then took decisive action to restore order, calling for those who were on the LORD's side to rally to him. The Levites responded, and a severe judgment was executed upon the idolaters (Exodus 32:25-28).

Moses' subsequent actions included a second ascent to the mountain to receive new tablets, demonstrating God's willingness to renew the covenant despite the people's failure. This renewal underscored God's mercy and the possibility of restoration after repentance.

Theological Implications

The episode of Moses waiting upon the mountain and the ensuing trouble among the Israelites serves as a profound lesson on the importance of faithfulness, patience, and obedience to God's commands. It highlights the dangers of idolatry and the human tendency to seek tangible representations of the divine in times of uncertainty. Moreover, it underscores the role of intercession and the possibility of redemption through repentance and divine grace.

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Exodus 32:1
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
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Library

How Moses Ascended up to Mount Sinai, and Received Laws from God ...
... So they feasted and waited for their conductor, and ... man, nor could they prevent their
trouble and melancholy ... remove all this while, because Moses had bidden ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how moses ascended.htm

Of the Third Consideration of the Sacred Holy Stigmata
... And Brother Leo in obedience stood still, and waited in so ... appearance spake to me,
as of old he spake to Moses. ... God, he was in great doubt and trouble of mind ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/of the third consideration of.htm

Following the Cloud.
... cities or armies, where they would not trouble many people ... below, and there the people
encamped and waited to hear ... He told Moses to tell the people to be ready ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

Power "In" and "Upon. "
... was ready, the cloud came, the Shekinah glory came and filled it so that Moses was
not ... What is the trouble? ... But they tarried in Jerusalem; they waited ten days ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter ii power in and.htm

V. ...
... this matter, stumbling upon it; and they trouble themselves at ... and suddenly, you
will then have waited too long ... light, and there appeared to Him Moses and Elias ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter i v 2.htm

A Night on the Lake
... that had fed them that day but He whom Moses had foretold? ... They waited for a time,
hoping that He would come to them ... The disciples had no need to make trouble. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 40 a night on.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... own Bible, which was only the five books of Moses; for they ... "Lord, do not take the
trouble to come ... the guests; and Martha was one of those who waited upon them ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

Directions How to Lead a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... after a soul-humbling day, or in times of trouble, when the ... As the Jews killed the
Messiah while they waited for him ... when we only read the song of Moses and the ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xii directions how to.htm

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
... Holy Spirit, by keeping the law of Moses, or by ... Jesus Christ, that our sins were
laid upon Him, and ... a matter that would probably not trouble many Christians to ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xx the baptism with.htm

God's People Delivered.
... God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ... glory, and shine
as did the face of Moses when he ... Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm