“Moshe’s First Sinai Experience”
“He was faithful to the one who
appointed him, just as Moshe (
This third study will cover Shemos - Exodus Chapter 3 verses 1 to 15 and we will look at the man Moshe who is proclaimed in the book of Hebrews chapter 3, as being a great man of faith and we all know that he certainly was, but like all men, he was also a man with many failings.
As you will have noticed that I have entitled this Study: “Moshe’s First Sinai Experience” as it covers his amazing experience whilst he was at the furthermost part of the wilderness and he was drawn to that mountain in the distance, being Mt. Sinai, where very soon Moshe would experience a great event and one that would change his entire life forever!
Study One covered Chapter 1 and it contained
the Introduction to the series, whilst Study Two covered chapter 2 being very
much a Prologue to Moshe’s future calling. Whilst in this study we will
go through Moshe’s call to do a very big and a special task, and also his
most pathetic excuses, why he could not do what Elohim was asking of him, to
return to
We will also look and study the blessed “Memorial Name” of the Almighty, which is certainly not “Jehovah” or “Yahweh”, but at least the latter is closer to that hideous JW – witness one.
You will note that in this study we will go through verses individually, thus I will not place large portions of the chapter at the head of this chapter!
We should be aware that the Pharaoh that would
have had Moshe executed 40 years earlier had by now gone, therefore, in reality
Moshe could finally return to
Chapter 2:23 stated: “They cried out in
agony, and their cry came up to Elohim.” But sadly their outcry only
related only to their physical pain. Praise Elohim, His Word states,
“Elohim saw the children of
In this, one of the early Chapters of Exodus,
Elohim once again proves His infinite Love and Mercy, the same kind of love He
showed Avraham, Yitzchak -
But sadly the Children of Israel even in their
bondage and pain still did not repent and the majority continued following
their pagan Egyptian gods. Thus all they did is cry out because of their
“physical pain” and although they did not deserve redemption,
blessed be He,
I should also point out that
First, let me deal with Moshe’s call
into the service of his Elohim at
As covered in the last two studies, the first
two chapters of Exodus cover a period of some 480 years from the time of the
book of Bereshis - Genesis. Obviously, to the Almighty time is very different
than to our understanding. Elohim picks out what is important to Him, thus you
can have a gap of 170 to 400 years between Bereshis - Genesis & Shemos -
Exodus with nothing happening of any significance is not unusual. As we have
studied earlier, Bereshis - Genesis begins with creation and life but concludes
in the very last verse with death and a coffin containing the body of
But then comes Shemos - Exodus or in Hebrew
“Sefer Shemot” which means the “Book of Names,” and
remember that our Heavenly Father, blessed be He, remembers names, thus
according to His promises “He remembered them (Israel).” And
beloved, be assured that when
As we know relatively little is written about Moshe’s first 80 years of life in comparison to his concluding 40 years that was ahead of him. Even though his life in Elohim’s service commenced at the age of 80, the Father had prepared Moshe from the moment he was conceived. Thus, his life to this older age was certainly not wasted. But in writing the Five Books, Moshe did only write what he found to be the most relevant!
We are well aware that Moshe spent 40 years
at the top of the social ladder and then 40 years at the bottom of the ladder
there in the heart of the desert. Thus Moshe
lived 40 years in a palace surrounded by luxury, then 40 years living in a tent
just scratching out a living with a few sheep, as a simple shepherd.
Moshe, the prince of
Did you realise that Egyptians regarded a shepherd as a human being who is the very lowest human denominator, a person at the lowest level of social standing? This fact is quoted in Bereshis - Genesis 46:34.
“... for every shepherd is an abomination (or detestable) to the Egyptians.”
This prince of
Remember, Elohim kept His Son, Yahushua in a
lowly carpenter shop for vast majority of His life and only called Him into
ministry for His last three years of life on earth. In addition, Sha’ul
of Tarsus -
Here we see Moshe, humanly speaking at rock bottom, all alone in a desolate place, yet it is at this point where it all begins.
I recall this is the way it was with the
author, an Orthodox Jew who was a leader of his community and one evening
during my regular prayer and Tanach – Old Covenant study time, when
Elohim revealed the Messiah to me. This beloved occurred without the influence
of any outside influences. That night I repented and accepted Yahushua as my
Redeemer. Elohim clearly led me NOT to read any books by man for seven years,
only His Word, the reason was that I would not be led astray by false theology
and teachings, Soon He even sent me a wonderful Greek believer, thus now there
was both Hebrew and Greek, keeping the Word pure! It was seven years later in
1984 when the two of us, as let by the Father, we commenced in fulltime
ministry, teaching the Word throughout Australia and having toured my own
country a number of times over three years, we headed around the world with my
Greek brother who remains with the ministry to this day. Beloved, nobody
should go into ministry until they have been alone and has been thoroughly
prepared by Elohim. For it is during such a time that the Almighty, blessed
be He, through the
Now let us look at the details. Chapter 3:1-2.
“Now Moshe was tending the flock of
Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian and he led the flock to the
far side of the desert and came to Choreb, the
Verse 1 indicates that Moshe was at the far side or furthermost end (west) of the wilderness with his flock, and that he left to go to the “Mountain of Elohim” named “Choreb,” more correctly pronounced “Chorebah”.
In Hebrew “Choreb” has the following meanings … a dry place, ruins, waste and desolate. Of course, it is here styled as “The Mountain of Elohim.” this is only because of the revelation that was about to come upon it. Thus, it is written here in this verse in the future tense. Therefore, when Moshe was writing this book later during his life he refers to the mountain as such. Now let us read verse 2 again, but this time with some of the original Hebrew words sprinkled in.
“and the Malach of YaHVaH -
The word “Malach” means an “
Thus it was a rather lowly bush that was ablaze with the Glory of Elohim and I see something most significant in this picture! It is here at a place that has been Sanctified by the presence of the Almighty, who would speak from the heart of the fire, we see a picture of what Moshe’s service was to be, for he would be much like that plain and ordinary bush that was ablaze with the Glory of Elohim unto others. For this now humbled and detested by the Egyptians shepherd would soon go forth and face the all-powerful Pharaoh and be his superior, not because of himself, but because of his Elohim who was leading him!
Beloved, Elohim, blessed be He, can take a
simple person and fill him with His fire, yet the fire does not consume
him, it fills him. This is exactly what happened on the day of
“Shavout” the “Feast of Weeks” (50 - incorrectly called
Pentecost) when flames of fire fell on ordinary men, the Apostles of Yahshua
who were just ordinary
I firmly believe that only when the faithful in Yahushua have the fire of Elohim on them, people will be drawn unto the things of Elohim, for they will desire to witness the power and the glory of Messiah Yahushua!
Beloved we must provoke those still in the world to jealousy. There will be fire if we will only live in faith and listen, but more so do Elohim’s and Yahushua’s will. I have seen the faithful in Yahushua on fire, as they entered into the fullness of the Word. The sad fact is there are far too many churches, christians and fellowships today, where the only thing alive in them, is the ivy growing up the walls outside. “Bring back the Word and the fire O precious Father!”
What a Great Elohim we have. He chose the
lowliest of the trees as the place of revelation, to signify that He was with
His people
Moshe was brought low and yes, Yahushua also humiliated Himself and gave His precious life, hanging on that hideous tree, in order to save His people. Beloved in Messiah, we also must go down, before we can come up, for this is one of the great truths. The only “Way UP is to go DOWN.” See the study by the same name online. Visit the Index.
For those who came to believe in Yahushua the Messiah, the first thing we had to do was go down in prayer in repentance before the Father and only then would He lift us up with our sins forgiven, washed as “white as snow.” Unless you go to one of those hideous Pentecostal as well as so many other churches these days, sadly repentance is no longer preached and mostly you will find what I tend to call a KFC or McDonald’s fellowship, with a “Come to Jesus” and you are saved, now leave your money at the door, buy our CD’s and we hope you enjoyed our Rock band and the loud musical entertainment! That is not redemption; but what do you expect from these modern churches that do not teach the truth!
Nebuchadnezzar was brought down to the point
where this great king ended up living like an animal because he would not heed
to the Almighty of Israel. Then finally as
We have now come to the point where the Almighty calls Moshe in verse 4. “Moshe, Moshe.” The repetition of Moshe’s name is an expression of affection and love. It is intended to encourage him. What a soft and beautiful way to be called, full of love and tenderness, almost as Elohim, blessed be He, was saying to Moshe, “be still Moshe, yes you Moshe, be not afraid, listen to what I have to tell you.”
We find this kind of same repetitive call in
Bereshis - Genesis. “
Please Elohim may we be called in that blessed way in that great and wonderful day, when Yahushua comes for his Bride. Elohim called, “Moshe, Moshe” and he replied “Hineh” which means, “Here am I.” But the implication in the Word is in fact more like, “who is it?” In verse 5 Elohim says “remove your footwear,” for the place where Moshe was now standing was Sanctified (Holy).
Sanctified in the Hebrew is “Kodesh,”
meaning “Set apart.” “Kodeshim” is the plural,
meaning, “Sanctified (Holy) of Holies,” which was used by
“
The singular father does not refer to Amram
who is Moshe’s father, but is to be understood in the collective sense
of Moshe’s Ancestors.
Sadly, there are far too many grand children today. They just want to be spoiled with blessings, without giving much back. So many just want to receive and obtain from Elohim, but not give much of them selves to Him. Also far too many who know Messiah Yahushua so seldom Proclaim the Word to a world lost or serve the Almighty and tragically they are so good at making excuses! Beware for there could be an excuse awaiting you later, for the call Yahushua gave all of us was very clear to obey His and His Father’s commands, and that was what? To go forth and bear fruit! To go and bear fruit is so obvious, to go and share Messiah with family, friends and anyone you may come in contact with whenever the opportunity arises.
“If you obey My commands, you will
remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain
in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that
your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his
friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call
you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.
Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My
Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and
appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will
give you whatever you ask in My Name. This is My command: Love each
other.” Yochanan –
When
Let us now look at a one-letter word and they certainly do not come any smaller. It is one word that is so often used and it is that little word … “I.”
“I Am Elohim” – “I have heard” – “I have seen” – “I am going to do this” – “I have decided” – “I promise” – “I will” – It is lovely that Elohim says, “I Am,” “I will.” But sadly there is also the selfish “I, me and myself.” I will come to this shortly! But first the I of Elohim!
That is two of the Great Promises of Elohim. 1. What He is. 2. What He does. “I Am - I shall.”
In Verse 9, Elohim said,
“Behold, the cry of the children of
Although
The Book of Bereshis - Genesis showed us how
Those in the world, living in the flesh, have life the wrong way around. They have the attitude “live now, live it up, and enjoy yourself. If it feels good do it.” Their strategy is “Live now, pay later.” But Elohim says if you repent, “I am going to get you out of bondage and into salvation.”
In Verse 10 Elohim gives Moshe what we may call the Daddy statement of them all!
“I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.” O HELP!
Elohim was saying, “Moshe, you are going to be My instrument.” Remember, forty years earlier Moshe tried to help a Hebrew and he so badly failed that time around, but now the Almighty says “You are going to do it.” - “You are going back to the very place you failed, but this time you are going to succeed.” (Paraphrased) … or …
“You wanted to help them then, but you failed because you did it in your own way, but now Moshe now you are 80 and you can go back but you will do it My way.” (Paraphrased).
Now we come to a vital point found in this study that will also be continued in the next Study. Five times Moshe tried to get out of doing Elohim’s will. As we read from verse 10 onwards right into Chapter 4, I see myself and I am sure that you may even see yourself as well.
In Verse 10 Elohim said “I will send you
to Pharaoh to bring the children of
Elohim is saying to all of us, “You go and do this” And sadly, we may well be able to think up 1 or up to 500 reasons why we should not do it … “what me Father? No I am not the person for this job, no not me?”
Moshe had been too hasty at 40, now he is being to humble at 80. He was so eager to do it at 40, but now he is reluctant to do it at 80.
His first excuse in Verse 11 was that he was insignificant “who am I?” as to say … “I might have done it when I was a Prince, but now I am just a simple shepherd. Lord they will see my hands and will say who does he think he is - who am I?”
Is this healthy modesty?
Yes, we can be excessively modest. “No
Master, I could never do that,” but
When Moshe made his excuse of insignificance, Elohim really answered and said, “But I Am not, for My presence will go with you.”
When Elohim calls you and you say, “I am a nobody; I am not the one to do this.” But Elohim will say, “I know you are not that is why I chose you, for I am the one and I will do it as you walk with me.”
That brings us to the second excuse, Moshe said “I am ignorant what shall I say, who shall I say, sent me?”
We should understand that the word or better said, the title or attribute of YaHVaH is “Elohim,” which simply means that He is the Almighty. Thus “Elohim” (who the world calls God is a translation I dislike intensely for it has entirely another meaning altogether) is NOT a name for it was and still is a description, as I said an attribute.
If you would have said in those days, “I
believe in Elohim - God,” someone would have simply asked you “Yes,
which one?” It is much the same today! There are also disputes who
This is who the cults believe who
A brother to Lucifer |
According to the Mormons |
|
According the |
One of many |
According the New Age |
Just an Idea |
According to Christian Science |
Let us always make sure we clearly state who and what we believe in. Who YaHVaH and Yahushua the Messiah really is! That is why we must start using the actual and the original Scriptural Names of YaHVaH Elohim and Messiah Yahushua, if we do this then there can never be any confusion!
In answer to Moshe’s question, “who shall I say sent me” YHVH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, makes a most wonderful statement in Verse 14.
“
And in Verse 15 Elohim reiterates,
“YHVH Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim
of Avraham, the Elohim of Yitzchak -
What a wonderful Name, “I Am,
To understand the full beauty of Elohim’s Memorial Name, please read the study “The Memorial Name” of Elohim as this study will explain and provide the in depth details.
“I am YaHVaH” is a wonderful Name, and when we compare this Name with the names of the Egyptian gods, we will understand the difference.
Here are just three of the Egyptian god’s names.
Amnon |
Meaning
concealed - a hidden god. What a god to
pray to "Dear concealed" |
Ra |
Swift. A catch me while you
can god |
Hek |
A goddess with a frogs head. So
loveable. |
I AM - YaHVaH is a wonderful Name, which tells me three wonderful things about our blessed Elohim.
First - All other gods are nothing. Elohim said, “Tell them I Am sent you.” Much to say … “I Am a personal Elohim, other gods are called ‘it’ or a ‘thing,’ but I AM real.” (paraphrased).
Second - I AM - is Eternal, for Elohim is always there. Then, now and in forever, for He is the Great I Am.
Third - I AM - is unique. You cannot describe Elohim in any other way except by saying - He is what He is.
He is
*At the bottom of this page is a logo with a link that will provide you will more information in relation to the blessed Names of YaHVaH Elohim as described above!
Beloved we should realise that thankfully,
there remained a small number of faithful of
Yet it is important to note that although the blessed Name YaHVaH is written earlier in both Bereshis - Genesis and Shemos - Exodus, but it was not until this time up on the mountain, that the Almighty, blessed be He, actually revealed His Sacred Memorial Name to Moshe. Meaning, it had not been known before!
For it is written in Exodus chapter 6:2.
“I Am YHVH and I appeared unto
There have been scholars, and there will always be those who will argue with whatever our Heavenly Father has said, no matter what, that the name of Moshe’s mother, Yochebed as is recorded in verse 20 that same chapter, proves quite otherwise. The Word of Elohim is sure, thus when He said, “By My Name YaHVaH, I made Me not known unto them” clearly states it was “NOT KNOWN” and I will believe him rather than some pagan based church teacher!
These so-called “christian theologians” claim that Yochebed means, “YHVH is glorified or honoured.” The question, we should ask, “is it not strange, that NOT a single Jewish authority, from before the days long before Yahushua even came, to this day agrees with that line of thought, and for that fact neither does the author. The truth is, if these “christians” are right then our Heavenly Father, blessed be He, would have lied in Chapter 6:2.
It was to Moshe, Elohim declares, “I Am YHVH, this is My Name forever, and this is My Memorial to all generations.” If you will check it, you will discover that the command is in the future tense.
The next thing we should ask ourselves is this: “Why is the Name YaHVaH found in Bereshis - Genesis as well the first few chapters of Shemos - Exodus?”
Beloved, the answer is so very simple, for this is because Moshe wrote Bereshis - Genesis and all of the Torah (the 5 Books of Moshe) years later in the wilderness, thus he used the Name that Elohim had given him at Mount Choreb (Mt Sinai) throughout the Torah, even before it was known to the people.
I am about to close this study by again looking at our unwilling servant Moshe.
Remember, he is the one found in our reading earlier from Hebrews, as the man of Faith? Having heard YaHVaH Elohim speak, giving His full Name and attributes, sadly Moshe still hunted around for further excuses why he should not go as Elohim had asked of him. Yet, as we search the Word we find many men doing battle with their call. However, they are mentioned in the Word as men of faith! - Moshe finally said in Chapter 4:1 … “They won’t believe me.”
It will be with those words that we commence our Study Four as we explore Moshe’s third reason; why he did not want to return to Egypt and face Pharaoh and we will also look at his “Staff” in Shemos - Exodus 4:2 and believe me it will be a very interesting study, containing some surprises as well as other discoveries from the blessed Word!
“Teach me Your way, O YHVH. I will
walk in Your truth.
UNITE MY HEART TO FEAR YOUR NAME!”
Tehillim
– Psalms 86:11
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Yahushua said; “No one can come to Me unless the Father who
sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in
the Prophets: They will all be taught by Elohim. Everyone who listens to the
Father and learns from Him comes to Me. No one has seen the Father except the
One who is from Elohim; only He has seen the Father. I tell you the truth he
who believes has everlasting life.” Yochanan (
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