Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Terror of Israel at Receiving

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The Law of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, is a central element of the Old Testament, encompassing the commandments and ordinances given by God to the Israelites through Moses. The giving of the Law is a pivotal moment in biblical history, marked by a profound sense of awe and terror among the people of Israel. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, where the Israelites encounter the divine presence at Mount Sinai.

The Setting at Mount Sinai

After their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites journeyed to the wilderness of Sinai, where they camped at the foot of the mountain. It was here that God chose to reveal His Law to His chosen people. The setting is described with vivid imagery, emphasizing the holiness and majesty of God. Exodus 19:16-19 recounts the scene: "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him."

The People's Fear and Reverence

The Israelites' reaction to the divine manifestation was one of fear and reverence. The physical phenomena accompanying God's presence—thunder, lightning, smoke, and the sound of a trumpet—served to underscore the seriousness and sanctity of the occasion. The people were acutely aware of their own unworthiness and the holiness of God. In Exodus 20:18-19 , their response is recorded: "When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. 'Speak to us yourself, and we will listen,' they said to Moses. 'But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.'"

The Role of Moses as Mediator

Moses served as the mediator between God and the Israelites, a role that was necessitated by the people's fear of direct communication with the divine. This mediation highlights the need for an intermediary in the relationship between a holy God and sinful humanity. Moses' role prefigures the ultimate mediation of Christ, who bridges the gap between God and man. In Deuteronomy 5:5 , Moses reminds the people, "At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain."

The Purpose of the Law

The Law of Moses was given to establish a covenant relationship between God and Israel, setting them apart as His holy nation. It provided moral, ceremonial, and civil guidelines for living in accordance with God's will. The Law was not merely a set of rules but a revelation of God's character and His expectations for His people. It served to instruct, convict, and guide the Israelites, pointing them toward the need for redemption and foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah.

The Lasting Impact

The terror experienced by the Israelites at the receiving of the Law underscores the gravity of entering into a covenant with the Almighty. It serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the reverence due to Him. The Law of Moses remains a foundational element of biblical theology, reflecting the unchanging nature of God's righteousness and justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 19:16
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
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Exodus 20:18-20
And all the people saw the thunder, and the lightning, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
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Deuteronomy 5:5,23-25
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the word of the LORD: for you were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,
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Library

His Unconscious Preparation for his Work
... term, but also the ceremonial law of Moses and the ... be strict Jews and zealous of
the law, attending the ... peace were soon to be invaded with terror and bloodshed ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ii his unconscious preparation.htm

Argument from the Destruction of Jerusalem and Desolation of Judea ...
... from afar: "your soul," he says, "shall meditate terror," [1387] "namely ... [1389] For
the Law enjoined that ... 1403] it was of yore wherewith Moses sweetened the ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter xiii argument from the destruction.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... consolation to believers, and great ground of terror to the ... it holds among all the
precepts of the Law. ... which is most admirably expressed by Moses and Ezekiel. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Of Civil Government.
... that rulers are the ministers of God, "not a terror to good ... Lord did not deliver
it by the hand of Moses to be ... if any man will sue thee at the law, and take ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable ...
... upon it, and review it, and judge whether they can bear the terror of its ... and many
are the passages that I have offered from the law of Moses, and from the ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iv the necessity of.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... teeth (the laws), are said to be a terror, and to ... he has given us his word, and
appointed a law to Israel ... and not sons' (Hebrews 12:8). Hence Moses tells Israel ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
... is drawing a contrast between the law of Moses outside a ... to do, so that the
righteousness of the law is fulfilled ... hour came, I forgot much of it in my terror. ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter v the person and.htm

The Second Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... image [516] herself, she shrank not in terror from the angelic ... "For death reigned
from Adam to Moses." [527] But ... painfully in the letter and the law, He called ...
/.../the second homily on the.htm

Acts IX
... and such portions of the law of Moses as he ... [190] In accordance with this law, the
witnesses ... to a safe distance, there stand gazing, in mute terror, upon the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... of Christ, the soul's nourishment, [158]166; the terror of Demons ... of the sea superior
to that of Moses, [384]156 ... but to save, [428]194; relaxes the Law, [429]ib ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm