Showing posts with label ANSWERING AS ONE MAN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ANSWERING AS ONE MAN. Show all posts

Thursday, September 29, 2016

COME AS A CHILD LESSON 138 - ON EAGLE'S WINGS




ON EAGLE’S WINGS
(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

When telling the Old Testament stories it is sometimes helpful and interesting to notice the actual dates of when certain events actually took place.  References to dates and times are often vague; but they are actually noted in the scriptures for a reason.  If you just remember to notice certain passages, such as the one mentioned at the beginning of Exodus 19:1, you can determine definite time frames that were observed by the Israelites in the wilderness.  This verse says;  “On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt – on that very day – they came to the Desert of Sinai.”

This noted time period would have been during the month of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, which relates to late May and early June on the calendars we use today. 

When they reached this point in their journey, and they entered the Desert of Sinai and camped at the foot of the mountain; it would have marked forty five days since they left Egypt.



Moses moved a little higher up the mountain from the people and there he met with God.  God called down to him from the highest part of the mountain and told him:  “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:  You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself.  Now, if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.  Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Moses must have pondered the words of God in his heart as he descended the mountain and moved back to the people.  He must have thought of God’s beautiful choice of words to them; and how God mentioned that He had “carried the people on eagle’s wings and brought them to himself.”

This beautiful and poetic language that originated straight from the mouth of God right there on top of Sinai is often used in our poems and songs today.  It is a beautiful word-picture of refuge and rescue from hopeless situations. 



Why do you think God chose to use an eagle to illustrate his care for his people?

Some have observed that the other birds of prey carry their young in their talons to protect them from the attack of other animals from above and behind; but this is not so with the eagle. 

The eagle is mighty and he fears no other bird.  The only thing an eagle fears is the arrows and shots from mankind. 

The eagle actually carries it’s young on its wings; knowing if it is shot by an arrow from below, the parent bird would suffer the injury and the young eaglets would have a chance to fly away and survive. 

Old Jewish legends have explained that when the Israelites were attacked by Pharaoh’s arrows at The Red Sea, God sent angels from the divine cloud that protected them from the Egyptians.  It is said that the angels absorbed the blows of the Egyptian arrows and they acted as shields in front of the Israelites.

It is so amazing to me that the Jewish people will see and relate to this great example; but they fail to see how Christ took the blows for the sins of mankind at the crucifixion.  Jesus was there for us, as if He were carrying us on eagle’s wings. 



Christ has always followed the example of The Father.  This is the way God was protecting and abiding with the people at Sinai; He was saying:  “I love you so much that I will defend you!  I will die for you if need be!  Because of me; you will survive and thrive as my children! “

The things that happened at Sinai represent God’s marriage to Israel.  It is important, before entering the covering of the wedding ceremony, to stop and consider the relationship we have with our Creator. 

After the marriage ceremony at Sinai, civil laws will be emphasized.  This is necessary even though at times these civil laws may feel heavy and burdensome.  It is important to remember that our FIRST commitment to God came from a prior loving and nurturing relationship, one that happened even before the giving of the law where God took us unto himself purely out of unconditional love. 

In many ways, the Israelites were as guilty and as sinful as the Egyptians that God destroyed; yet God chose them, He loved them, and He took them as His beloved.  He set them apart and proclaimed them special people.  He brought them out of Egypt as if on the bonding wings of an eagle.  His love swooped down just in the nick of time, and without stipulation he suffered the pain in our place and bore us on eagle’s wings to the foot of the mountain where He chose to instruct us on the best ways to live; so very much like an eagle looking after its young!



But; you say; I wasn’t born Jewish!  Where does that leave me? 

My friend; anyone who belongs to Christ has been adopted into the family of God.  This family definitely started out with the Hebrew people; but it has grown over the years!   If you have come under the love of Christ and made Him the covering for your life; you have come into the wedding ceremony and are a part of the Bride through the marriage covenant with Jesus, and through adoption by God.  You have been welcomed into the family as a much loved wife and daughter. 

Much more of this will become clear as we go along.  For now we are discovering how a people, living long before Christ ever entered the world, came to be chosen by God.   We are looking at the beginnings of the family heritage!

It is very important to get the “love” aspect of God before you delve into the giving of the law.  The law was given out of love, not works.  Real love always brings us to ways of righteousness and justice.

So in that day, the 46th day Moses listened to God and then went back down the mountain to summon the elders he had chosen to help him govern the people. Moses told them all the words that God had given him to speak to the people. 

The elders and Moses relayed the message of God together to the people.  All the people responded as one man and answered “We will do everything the LORD has said.”




On the 47th day after Passover (when they left Egypt) Moses climbed back up the mountain and relayed the answer of the people to God.    


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