Come Follow Me 18: Exodus 24; 31-34

Come Follow Me Lesson 18: Exodus 24; 31-34

Introduction:

“All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient” (Exodus 24:7).

The children of Israel made this covenant at Mt. Sinai. Will I make this covenant too?
Yes, I have done so in the temple.

We also make this covenant weekly as we take the sacrament. Do we always make it to the next week being perfectly obedient?

Neither did the children of Israel at that day. How do we also make our own golden calf after making covenants with the Lord? How can we do better?

Every week we covenant to always remember Him? What will help us keep this covenant all through each day?

“We know from experience that faith and commitment can sometimes be overcome by impatience, fear, or doubt.” What can I personally do to keep the faith?

As we seek the Lord’s presence in our lives, it is encouraging to know that the Lord did not give up on ancient Israel and He will not give up on us—for He is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).

Personal Study: Exodus 24: plus Reading 24

Keeping My Covenants Shows the Love that I am Willing to Obey and that I Love Him.

The Covenant has been the Lord’s way since the beginning.

Adam and Eve made covenants with God. The Plan of Salvation was taught to them, the same way it is taught today in the Lord’s true church and within His temples (See Moses 5:4–9).

vs 3 Israelites said they’d do what the Lord asks.

Vs 4 Moses built and altar and erected 12 pillars

vs 7 They re affirmed “All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.”

vs 8 What is the blood of the covenant? What does it represent?

9-12 Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders saw God. They were fasting.

13 Joshua was with Moses; but Moses went up into the mount alone.

Moses was in the mount 40 days and nights.

Personal Study: Exodus 31-34

I Can Repent, and God Will Take Me Back

How often do we, like the children of Israel in the past, look for comfort in the things of the world?

How can I do better at putting my faith and trust in Jesus Christ first and foremost?

What can you add or subtract from your life (or your daily routine) in order to put God first?

Why is it that we cannot serve both God and mammon?

Despite our willful disobedience and the many times we fall, Jesus is ever full of mercy, and when we repent, he quickly forgives us (see Mosiah 14:4–8; 15:9).

Jesus ever prays to His Father for all those who believe in Him (See Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5).

Because of the Children of Israel’s Grievous Sin, They Were Given the Lower Law

The Joseph Smith Translation let’s us know that after the first plates were destroyed, the Lord wrote the second plates differently, because they Israelites were not yet ready for the Higher Law (see Joseph Smith Translation, Exodus 34:1–2).

Why did Moses break the tablets of stone that contained the Lord’s words written with His Own Finger?

The first set of stone tables included the ordinances of God’s “holy order,” or the Melchizedek Priesthood. The second set included “the law of a carnal commandment.”

The Melchizedek Priesthood and the ordinances thereof weren’t given to the people at that time, but they were given the Aaronic Priesthood (the preparatory Priesthood) and the ordinances thereof (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:17–27),

How am I preparing to enter God’s presence? Do I seek to live by the higher law, or am I content to live at the law of carnal commandments?

Family Study: Exodus 31-34

Keeping the Sabbath Shows that I Choose the Lord

How will you observe the Sabbath? “What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him” (President Nelson)?

Watch the video collection: “Sabbath Day—At Home”

Whose Side Am I On? Exodus 32:26

After the Israelites were found worshipping an idol, Moses asked, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” How do we show we are on the Lord’s side?

When have you felt the peace and comfort of having the Lord with you (see Exodus 33:14–15)?

Abide with Me!

Readings:

Exodus 31: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/31?lang=eng

vs 2-11 The Lord gives us talents, so that we can help build up his kingdom.

How important is the Sabbath? How important is your life and livelihood? (See vs 13-17)

vs 18 Two tablets of stone written on by God were given to Moses.

Exodus 32: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/32?lang=eng

vs 1-6 Why did Aaron contribute to and corrupt himself with the people?

If we stray from the Lord we are all fallible, and we may lead others astray.

Vs 7-8 God sees all the things that we do, and he reveals it all to his prophets. We do not need to think that they are behind on the times and that they don’t know what is going on in our day.

Vs 9-14 Moses counsels with God and asks him to be merciful to the people because of His covenant with Abraham and his sons.

Vs 19-20 Joshua returned with Moses to the sinful children of Israel. He broke the plates, and burned them and ground them to powder.

Vs 21 Moses asks Aaron what great evil the people had done to him that he would want to bring such great evil unto them.

Vs 22-25 Are we like Aaron and try to make justification for our wrong choices? Are we careful not to set a bad example for those who are watching us?

Vs 26: Will I show right now that I am on the Lord’s side? What do I need to do right now to walk over to Him?

How would killing each other bring any sanctification or restitution? Something is missing here. I don’t get it.

Exodus 33: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/33?lang=eng

vs 1-6 The people had defiled themselves and weren’t permitted to wear the ornamental clothing (or probably the temple garments).

Vs 11 Moses talked to the Lord face to face in the Tabernacle. The mantel of the prophet was soon to be transferred to Joshua.

Vs 12-17 The Lord knows us by name and he listens to the pleadings of our heart. He wants to bless and be with us. We must seek to sanctify and prepare ourselves to be worthy of His presence and His glory.

Without the Lord’s will and bidding, we cannot see His face. He will reveal Himself to us in His own time and we should continue to wait upon the Lord.

Exodus 34: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ex/33?lang=eng

This time Moses has to hew his own plates of stone. He again goes into Mt. Sinai and fast for forty days again.

Vs 1-2 Moses was commanded to make new plates and go to Sinai to receive the word of the Lord.

Vs 4 He went up early in the morning.

The Lord spoke many things to Moses.

We should be a holy people to the Lord. We should not adopt the ways of strangers that we live among. We should be a good Christian example. We should worship God and not the things made by men. We shouldn’t marry outside of the covenant.

We should also go before the Lord in fasting and prayer for with our own questions and pleadings and look to him for answers, mercy, comfort, and guidance.