Study Desk

Moses went up the mountain to meet with the Lord God, who told him to say to the people:

After Moses went down the mountain, he gave orders for the people to wash their clothes and make themselves acceptable to worship God.

Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

The trumpet blew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.

God said to the people of Israel:

I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves.

Do not worship any god except me.

Don't bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four generations.

Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name.

but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns.

and said to Moses, "If you speak to us, we will listen. But don't let God speak to us, or we will die!"

"Don't be afraid!" Moses replied. "God has come only to test you, so that by obeying him you won't sin."

But when Moses went near the thick cloud where God was, the people stayed a long way off.

Death is the punishment for offering sacrifices to any god except me.

because that is the only cover the poor have when they sleep at night. I am a merciful God, and when they call out to me, I will come to help them.

and the first-born of your cattle and sheep. Let the animals stay with their mothers for seven days, then on the eighth day give them to me, your God.

Worship only me, the Lord your God! I will bless you with plenty of food and water and keep you strong.

and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something that looked like a pavement made out of sapphire, and it was as bright as the sky.

Even though these leaders of Israel saw God, he did not punish them. So they ate and drank.

Moses and Joshua his assistant got ready, then Moses started up the mountain to meet with God.