Whenever God makes some momentous action toward His people – such as the giving of the Torah or sending Messiah – He verifies it with miraculous signs that are indisputable to all. Today we see how that all of the people – millions – heard God speaking from a dark cloud, so that there would be no doubt about the veracity of the message forever.

 

This is in great contrast to many situations today. We hear third-hand testimonies about some miracle being performed on some unknown person somewhere distant, for the sole purpose of verifying the spirituality of some respected teacher. We see “healing meetings” where healings are based only upon doubtful testimonies, and the obviously sick are not reached. We see people trying to look spiritual by “speaking in tongues” of jibberish and they are often followed by others trying to look spiritual by making “interpretations” that are linguistic nonsense.

 

Certainly God can perform miracles anywhere and anytime He pleases. That idea does not justify nonsense to make someone look spiritual or prove some pet doctrine.

 

While I do not accept the Jewish idea of Israel being more worthy than other nations, the following is an interesting characterization: “Esau’s offspring (Amelekites) would not tolerate a law that prohibited murder; Ishmael’s could not live with a law that banned thievery; and Lot’s (Moabites) would not accept a ban on adultery. Now it was Israel’s turn.” Today’s falsely-so-called Palestinians are Esau’s offspring – known for murder.

 

Now we should note that the Israel of the Exodus included people from many nations – traditionally from each of the seventy nations. Natural descendents of Abraham might even have been a minority. The Torah was heard direct from God by millions of people from many nations. We need to see the error of the idea that the Torah is “just for Jews” – even if that is intended to mean all Hebrews.

 

Review:

Sivan 1 (a Sunday at the Sinai and Jerusalem events) – (v.19:1-6) ¹ In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. ² When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. ³ Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: ⁴ 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. ⁵ 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; ⁶ and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'

 

Today we will look at some technical considerations, while on Shavuot we will look at the spiritual aspects. Let us consider the days of the week as they were at the time that the Israelites were at Mt. Sinai, and at the time of Pentecost following the Crucifixion (these both being the same as in many of our years such as AD 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2006).

                                                                                                                                  

Sivan 3 (a Tuesday at the Sinai and Jerusalem events *) – (v.9) Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold! I come to you in the thickness of the cloud, so that the people will hear as I speak to you, and they will also believe in you forever.”

 

Sivan 4 (a Wednesday at the Sinai and Jerusalem events *) – Moses related the words of the people to Yahweh. The people had said, (v.8) “Everything that Yahweh has spoken we shall do.”

 

Sivan 6 (a Friday at the Sinai and Jerusalem events *) – (v.10) A three-day period of purification preceded the giving of the commandments. The people were to sanctify themselves and be baptized (enter the mikvah). This period culminated on Sivan 6, the Day of the Firstfruits – the fiftieth day of Counting the Omer (Pentecost).

 

Thus Shavuot is seen as the betrothal date – when Israel was betrothed to Messiah – with the Betrothal Contract (the Commandments) being presented the following day.

 

Sivan 7 * (a Sabbath at the Sinai and Jerusalem events) – (v.16) With lightning and thunder, fire and smoke, and shofar blasts, God descended upon Mt. Sinai, and millions of people heard from heaven, “Anuchiy Yahweh Eloheycha” – “I am Yahweh your God.” Remember here, that we are all to consider ourselves as having been redeemed from slavery in Egypt. They heard God say from the cloud, “I am Yahweh your God, Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. . .” They heard these first two Commandments directly from God, and the remainder through Moses.

 

* It may be noted that there are two viewpoints of the timing of events: this Sabbath was either Sivan 6 or Sivan 7, the day of or the day after Pentecost, according to the ancients; but the Commandments were given on the Sabbath. The difference is in how one interprets the three days of verses ten through sixteen. Neither viewpoint fits the modern Roman idea that Pentecost was a Sunday. The accepted viewpoint, as indicated above, fits with Passover Preparation on Wednesday, and fifty days of counting from Friday Nisan 16 to Friday Sivan 6.

 

Ø                   See table of Commandments below.

 

We may note that the first five Commandments, which were written on the first tablet, each contain the Name Yahweh, but the last five do not. The first five teach us how we are to love God. The last five show us how we are to love our neighbor.

_______________

 

Although the First Commandment is stated as a fact rather than an instruction, it is a positive commandment to recognize Yahweh as our God, though others may have different gods. (Yahweh is a proper name that only applies to our God; Elohim is a title that is not uniquely applied to Yahweh.) Our God, Yahweh, is the creator of all, Who holds all power and authority for eternity. He has redeemed us from slavery to sin.

 

The Second Commandment is a negative commandment prohibiting idolatry. It forbids even making images for worshipping false gods, such as to bow before or bring offerings to.

 

The Third Commandment forbids vain oaths. It is forbidden to show contempt for our God by using His Name for no valid purpose. That is the basis for the teaching that, when a blessing is said for something, which is pronouncing God’s Name over it, then we should use that thing before doing anything else – so as not to be using the Name without validating our purpose.   Obviously, we should not make any reference to God’s Holy Name for dishonest or disgraceful purposes, even if the Name per se is not spoken. Yeshua taught us such in Matthew 23: “Whoever swears by the Temple, swears by both the Temple and Him Who dwells in it” (v.21).

 

The Fourth Commandment concerns our remembrance and worship of our Creator by honoring the Sabbath. Many believers do not seem to know that there is a commandment to take part in a public worship service on the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3), even though the apostle Paul reminds us (Hebrews 10:25). We also are not to perform work that would reduce the sanctity of the day.

 

The Fifth Commandment, to honor our parents, means that we are to respect the authority which emanates from our God. This is a direct way of honoring our God. It implies honoring all authority that is from God. Thus this last commandment of the first tablet, and the last one of the ten including Yahweh’s Name, is seen as teaching us how we are to love Yahweh our God.

______________

 

The Sixth Commandment prohibits murder. This first commandment of the second tablet – which contains instructions on how to love our neighbor – parallels the first commandment of the first tablet: one who believes that God is the creator and sustainer of life will not commit murder. While murder was seen as evil long before this commandment, this elevates it to a higher position. Many things in Torah are seen as tantamount to murder, such as causing significant embarrassment, failing to provide food for the needy, allowing dangerous conditions, and causing the loss of livelihood.

 

The Seventh Commandment, prohibiting adultery, is seen as parallel to the Second Commandment, which forbids idolatry. One who betrays the marital relationship can be expected to betray God. This commandment covers lust, this being an ancient understanding that Yeshua also promoted in Matthew 5:28. It is also an umbrella over commandments against homosexuality and bestiality.

 

The Eighth Commandment prohibits kidnapping – forcing someone into servitude, or selling someone into slavery. (The commandment against ordinary theft is found in Leviticus 19:11.)

 

The Ninth Commandment forbids bearing false witness. This literally refers to testimony in a court, and it includes the prohibition of bearing witness to something believed but not actually seen. It also prohibits gossip and slander. This commandment is seen as parallel to the Fourth Commandment, which is a testimony that God created the earth in six days.

 

The Tenth Commandment prohibits covetousness. What is the point in forbidding something like jealousy or desiring possessions of others? This commandment raises the bar. God demands that people purify their thoughts and attitudes. While a pauper might easily covet his neighbor’s property, he would not be as likely to covet the king’s property that would be so inaccessible. If one has proper faith in God, he will realize that, by this commandment, his neighbor’s property is as inaccessible as the Great King’s property. This commandment is seen as parallel to the Fifth Commandment: a covetous person will have children who dishonor him, because a covetous person puts his selfish desires above decent conduct.

______________

 

Four related levels of holiness to be seen at Mt. Sinai and at the Holy Temple. The Temple is the ultimate “Sinai” experience.

(a)     The bottom of Mt. Sinai, where the people stood, relates to the gate of the Temple courtyard.

(b)     The mountain relates to the interior of the courtyard.

(c)     The cloud, where Moses stood, relates to the interior of the Temple.

(d)     The “thickness of the cloud” relates to the Holy of Holies, the seat of God’s presence.

The writer of Hebrews seems to have this in mind, saying that we have not come to Mt. Sinai, but Mt. Zion – Jerusalem. And the spiritual implication is stated as the heavenly Jerusalem, which is to come to earth.

 

Hebrews 12:28-29 – Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.

 

Once Israel dwelt in the Promised Land, the three Feasts had required ordinances at the Temple. Therefore, fifty-one days after Yeshua’s crucifixion, it was necessary that the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) would have its ordinances displayed at Jerusalem.

________________________________________

Yeshua said: “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” – Matt 22:40.

"Yahweh your God is one, and you shall  . . . (Deut 6:4)

"Love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."

                                                                                               "Love your neighbor as yourself."