The Giving of God's Word

1. Moses and the Giving of God's Word

• The Israelites left their life of slavery in Egypt on the first Passover.

• Forty days later Moses ascended Mt. Sinai.

• Ten days after that, Moses came down with the Ten Commandments, an event accompanied by a cloud and consuming fire - the first Shavuot ("Pentecost").

• After another bout on the mountain, Moses descended to find the Israelites worshiping a golden calf; and at the hands of the religious leaders, the Levites, about 3000 people died.

2. Jesus and the Giving of God's Word

• Fifteen hundred years later, Jesus was sacrificed on Passover, freeing us from our life of slavery to sin.

• Forty days later, Jesus ascended into heaven.

• Ten days after that, the Apostles came forth with the words of God, accompanied by wind and fire.

• At the hands of the religious leaders, the Apostles, about 3000 people were saved.

Shavuot, in addition to commemorating the giving of the Ten Commandments, also commemorates the harvest of "First Fruits". By giving the Ten Commandments on the day of harvest feasting, God reminds us that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God".