Exodus
19:1 ¶ In the third month, when the
children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came
they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 For
they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had
pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD
called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house
of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on
eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 5
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the
earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me
a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt
speak unto the children of Israel. 7 And
Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces
all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8
And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath
spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
Now,
we’re back in the main narrative after the interlude about Jethro’s visit. We
pick up where we left off as the Hebrews into the Sinai desert where they
encamped before Horeb in Sinai, the mount
of God.
As
God calls Moses from the mountain, he uses the typology of eagles’ wings as the
means by which He brought the Hebrews to Him. However, we know that they did
not fly on eagles’ wings. This is symbolic speech. It will be used again.
Revelation
12:14 And to the woman were given two
wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place,
where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of
the serpent.
Either
the verse in Revelation refers to God’s supernatural deliverance imposed on a
physical world or it is a reference to some country delivering the Jews from
danger or, judging by how such a symbology is used in Exodus it is both. God
uses human and natural agents to cause His supernatural deliverance, perhaps,
as He did here by crushing the Egyptian army and delivering the Hebrews. God
saved them but it is their own legs that are hiking them to the mountain.
We’ve
seen all through Genesis and Exodus how God uses things and people in our
reality to accomplish His purposes. When these are mixed with great events He
causes we can understand how He moves things forward in His ministry of
reconciling man to Himself.
Moses adds to this
symbolic usage of eagles’ wings in a
later reference.
Deuteronomy
32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest,
fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth
them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone
did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.
Verses 5 and 6
contain an important set of references.
1
Peter 2:4 ¶ To whom coming, as unto a
living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual
house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God
by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is
contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect,
precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is
precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders
disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of
offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto
also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvellous light: 10 Which in
time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall
behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The followers of
Christ are called an holy priesthood who deliver up spiritual sacrifices.
Romans
12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The
children of Israel were called out to be something special for God. The
Christian is called to a purpose, as well.
Deuteronomy
33:2 And he said, The LORD came from
Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and
he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for
them.
Isaiah
61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests
of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the
riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Revelation
1:6 And hath made us kings and priests
unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation
5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings
and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation
20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath
part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but
they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand
years.
In
verse 8 the children of Israel make a promise to God that they will break time
and again.
All
that the LORD hath spoken we will do…
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