‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
Spending time in nature
The night before, if you have a fire pit, gather around a blazing fire and read a family favorite. A tale appropriate for Sabbath, you might pick up a book of Martyr’s stories. The next day you should have a fresh supply of charcoal, use it to create images, or write the commandments on stone (wear clothes you can get dirty). If an outdoor fire is not available to you, find a nice place you can hike, where you see a long-distance or just where it is peaceful. Read the ten commandments and thank God for giving us guidelines that keep us from things that will hurt us. God loves us and reminds us how we show our love for Him in the first four commandments. He shows us how we love one another in the last commandments. Look at the habitats around you; what are some commandments that Nature abides by? Birds design their nest in a specific way depending on where their habitat is or what they eat. Trees must produce fruit of their own kind. Water runs downhill, and any that is evaporated can barely be seen. Nature’s laws were also put in place by God. Without the ability to question, Nature obeys God’s rules.
Tip
Nature time helps us grow because it shows us how plants and animals trust in God (Matthew 10:29). They may not know what will happen next, but they know they’ll be taken care of. If we look at how much animals blindly trust God, it shows that if we stop worrying, God will always provide.
Do Something Creative
To celebrate God’s promise, “(we) shall be to (Him) a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” make an article of priest’s garments (Exodus 28). Creating the breastplate can be really easy and was meant to bear the names of the children of Israel over the priest’s heart when he went before the Lord. To create a simple breastplate take thick wrapping paper, and cut the width of it the width of the person wearing it. Fold the paper in half and cut a hole large enough for the head to fit through on the fold. Decorate it with various jewels, stickers, and pictures. You can even connect the front of the plate with the back using gold string/yarn. The priests wrote the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on the breastplate as well.
What you will need (Follow Exodus 28: 15-31 for a decorative idea):
- Wrapping paper or Crafting paper
- Markers
- Crayons
- Scissors
- Stickers
- Various jewels
- Golden yarn (optional)
Family worship idea
For family worship, read through Exodus 19 and 20, when Israel receives the verbal ten commandments. In the chapters, Israel had to score off the mountain, talking about your favorite place in the whole house, and explain why it’s your favorite and how special it is. Compare Mount Sinai to your favorite spot and explain how Mount Sinai was special and sacred to God and Israel. Then go through and have everyone pick a commandment. Talk about why they chose that one, how it helps us and why it’s essential. After the discussion write down the ten commandments on paper, along with other laws if you would like, put them in a hat and play charades. Try to portray each commandment in a fun and unusual way.
Personal thoughts
When God was preparing to speak with Moses and Israel, He had to make sure the new nation was prepared. If any person or animal touched the mountain, it was sentenced to death. Later, when Uzzah tried to catch the covenant box because he was not purified, he was stuck down. God gave Israel three days to sanctify themselves and be ready for His visit. This happened in Joshua 3:5 as well. This reflects God’s desire to make us a royal priesthood; even though Moses and Aaron were the only ones That went up the mountain, the entire nation had to be sanctified. Every day our mortal being is tested; when we choose to listen to Jesus, we prepare our hearts for a life in heaven. The altar of sacrifice is still within the temple. Now that the body is a temple, ensuring the altar is made from uncut stone means putting trust in God to form and shape us into the body we are meant to be. When we are to be a royal priesthood, spending time in the word of God helps to form us. This time also allows the Holy Spirit to do what human hands can’t. We want our alter to be designed and shaped by God’s work. This doesn’t mean everything is osmosis; we have our part. How we spend our time, energy, resources, and the choices we make all determine how pliable our heart is
Hiding His word in your ❤
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9
Sabbath Catalyst 