(Sat) Added SW[4], upcoming LGH[3]. Posted.

SAT (9:55; 11:01,04 am) Hello! Added SongWeekly, SW[4], and upcoming, LGH[3]. Posted.

(Fri) Added LGH[2]. Segment (6) now soon becoming segment (not 8) but rather (9) Law/Lall of God Highlights.

FRI (12:18,23,46; 1:01,10 pm) Hello! Added LGH[2], Preparing to Appear Before Jehovoe'

(Thu) (6) Mosaic Law Highlights now becoming (9) Law/Lall of God Highlights, LGH[1]

THU (10, 10:05 am) Hello! Adding (6 to 9) Law/Lall of God Highlights, LGH[1]

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(Sat) Added (7) SW[3].

SAT (10:01 am) Hello! Added SW[3].

(Sat) Added (7) SW[2], and another inserted.

SAT (12:01,48,50; 2:15; 4:50 pm) Hello! Added (7) SongWeekly, SW[2] for this week, and another inserted.

(Sat) Added SW[1]

SAT (2:15 pm) Hello, added SongWeekly, SW[1]

THU (10:24 am) Hello! Adding (5) Eternal Express, EE[1].

_____(5) Eternal Express

OUR HOPE IN GOD'S KINGDOM. While many God-fearing human governmental systems can make advances toward a cleaner, perhaps even a bit more peaceful, earth, caution is in order as regards some human influences. 1Thessalonians 5 begins with a prophecy showing we must not place trust in an anti-God system to bring complete peace and security--something only Jehovoe can bring about in His own time and way through His kingdom. A warning Christ gave long ago was not to be fooled into choosing an anti-God system (not meaning institutions respectful of all people) as our hope rather than God's kingdom, which is the true solution to all of man's problems. Knowing of God's love for all, however, should move us to welcome all who will acknowledge God's handiwork and guidance, either personally, or even as seeing it's value respecting God's loving rule. The warning back then? Verse 4,6 says "But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves...So then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses."

ALIGNING EFFORTS WITH GOD'S KINGDOM. 1Thessalonians 5 cautions against being misled by those lacking faith in God and His Kingdom to bring true peace and security to mankind. Such will not come merely through scientific advancement or only human power or initiative, but rather by God's blessing through His heavenly and earthly children, doing things God's way in harmony with His word, and seeking God's honor and glory, not man's. As regards science, Jehovoe, our loving Creator and Master Designer and Engineer, understands this universe, including planet Earth, like no other--should not scientific effort be brought into alignment with God's perfect and loving purpose for man? Isaiah 66:1-2 says: "This is what Jehovoe says: “The heavens are my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where, then, is the house that you could build for me, And where is my resting-place?” 2 “My own hand has made all these things, And this is how they all came to be,” declares Jehovoe. “To this one, then, I will look, To the one humble and broken in spirit who trembles at my word." Certainly all with genuine faith in God may have a share in supporting God's kingdom and cooperating with it's activities earth-wide to bring about true peace and happiness to humanity. Verses 6-9 offer encouragement to keep our senses regarding such things, safeguarding our hearts and minds, and not be lulled to sleep into faithless inactivity. They read: "So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But as for us who belong to the day, let us keep our senses and put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation as a helmet 9 because God assigned us, not to wrath, but to the acquiring of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." While Jesus is a vital link to salvation, this one seeks God's honor, as "Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Phili 2:11). The Kingdom ultimately belongs to Jehovoe, and only succeeds through His blessing, power, and love.

_____(6 to 9) Law/Lall of God Highlights

Exodus 19:3-6:

“3 Then Moses went up to the true God, and Jehovoe' called to him from the mountain, saying: “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and to tell the Israelites, 4 ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to the Egyptians, in order to carry you on wings of eagles and bring you to myself. 5 Now if you will strictly obey my voice and keep my covenant, you will certainly become my special property out of all peoples, for the whole earth belongs to me. 6 You will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

Exodus 19:3 God’s servant Moses was His chosen mediator between God and the Israelites. In this, he would foreshadow God’s son, Jesus or Jehosha', as explained at 1Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus or Jehosha'.” So rather than dealing with Israel directly, God chose to use a representative who would have many of the qualities of his son, preparing the way for acceptance by Israel and mankind of the coming and kingship of God's Son.

Exodus 19:4 Here we’re reminded of what God did to bring Israel out of slavery in Egypt. God struck the Egyptians with a series of plagues, while Israelites typically were spared the troubles. Pharaoh continued to refuse to let Israel go, despite devastating miracles. Finally, God was forced to bring a most serious plague, which anyone could avert simply by exercising faith in God’s instructions and place the blood of a lamb or goat on the doorposts of their home, a foregleam of Christ’s ransom sacrifice. If so, the angel of God would “pass over” that home and not kill the firstborn son of the house. Israel would commemorate this event annually, God’s word making reference to the connection to Christ in the words found at 1Corinthians 5:7, saying “Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.” Finally, this plague caused the Pharaoh to let God’s people go, and Jehovoe' carried them on “wings of eagles” and brought them to himself, eventually to Mount Sinai, or Horeb. There, in a miraculous setting, Jehovoe' would conclude a covenant with Israel called the Mosaic Law covenant, an agreement that if kept, would result in God’s favor and blessing upon the fleshly descendants of Abraham and Sarah.

Exodus 19:5,6 Here the outcome is given if Israel would keep the Law of God covenant with Jehovoe' until the coming of Christ. Each Israelite needed to seek obedience to God and His law, and follow the instructions for atonement of any sins, or violations of that Law. God makes it clear that it is not just Israel that He cares about, “for the whole earth belongs to” Him. So they would become to Him “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Thus, those comprising the Kingdom of God, as God's Son spoke about throughout his ministry, could have come entirely from the fleshly descendants of Abraham, if enough had truly been faithful to His covenant. As it was, many fell to false worship and idolatrous practices, and their failure to keep it at times resulted in maledictions rather than blessings. Still, we learn much from the Law of God itself and the history of God’s dealings with Israel. Many did accept God’s Son Jehosha' (with proper meaning of "Jehovoe' is Salvation", later being commonly replaced by a Greek name similar to Jesus, meaning "He makes wet," given him by Caesar in mockery) and with faith in him, became anointed to serve as kings and priests with him in the heavenly Kingdom of God above, although the call would go forth to other nations to be among this privileged group. God is also arranging for this Kingdom, also with representatives of flesh, to administer affairs on earth to usher in many blessings for mankind. May we benefit by a careful consideration of this Law of God (still commonly called the Mosaic Law, but which now may be applied with Christian meaning and insight), to see what we can learn about God and His divine standards and principles, as revealed through Christ, who was able to keep that Law perfectly, and offer his life as a perfect sacrifice acceptable to God for forgiveness of man’s sins, making possible true righteousness by faith in God and His Son (or by "our Lord and...his Christ." (Matth 20:28; 1Timo 2:6; Roman 3:24; Revel 11:15) The words of Moses at Deuteronomy 30:19-20 are of value even to mankind today, regarding our choosing to live by Christian standards:

"19 I take the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you today that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the curse; and you must choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving Jehovoe' your God, by listening to his voice, and by sticking to him, for he is your life and by him you will endure a long time in the land that Jehovoe' swore to give to your forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Now, let’s see how God’s people were to prepare to appear before Him to conclude the covenant with Him, and what we may learn from this, as we read in Exodus 19.

Let’s start with Exodus 19:7-8:

“7 So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people and declared to them all these words that Jehovoe' had commanded him. 8 After that all the people answered unanimously: “All that Jehovoe' has spoken, we are willing to do.” Moses immediately took the people’s response to Jehovoe'.

Clearly we see the people of God were about to appear before Jehovoe' with an eager, willing spirit. They had made up their minds unanimously that they were willing to obey Jehovoe', and do all that He had spoken to them. How about us, when we come before God in a meeting that we’re convinced is prepared to assist us to serve or worship God in truth, after the model of Christ? Do we come with a willing spirit to obey all that Jehovoe' may instruct us to do? May we give advance thought to our determination in this regard, that we may be in the right frame of mind during such a meeting. Moses took their response immediately to Jehovoe'. This may remind us of the privilege of prayer—what might we express in prayer before a true Christian meeting or a larger assembly or convention? Psalm 22:25-27 says prophetically regarding God's Son, and those who would listen to God’s loving instruction:

“25 I will praise you in the large congregation; I will pay my vows before those who revere him. 26 The meek will eat and be satisfied; Those seeking Jehovoe' will praise him. May you enjoy life forever. 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Jehovoe'. All the families of the nations will bow down before you.”

Let’s continue with Exodus 19:9:

“9 And Jehovoe' said to Moses: “Look! I am coming to you in a dark cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and so that they may always put faith in you as well.” Then Moses reported the words of the people to Jehovoe'.”

Notice, due to the cloud, the people would be able to intently listen to Jehovoe' as He spoke with Moses, which would also have the effect of strengthening their confidence in Moses as well, as God’s appointed representative.

Exodus 19:10-13 continues:

“10 Then Jehovoe' said to Moses: “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and they must wash their clothing. 11 And they must be ready for the third day, because on the third day Jehovoe' will come down upon Mount Siʹnai before the eyes of all the people. 12 You must set boundaries for the people all around it and tell them, ‘Beware of going up to the mountain or touching its border. Anybody touching the mountain will surely be put to death. 13 No hand is to touch him, but he will either be stoned or be shot through. Whether beast or man, he will not live.’ But at the sound of the ram’s horn they may come up to the mountain.”

How seriously Jehovoe' takes respect for Him personally and His divine authority! His people would need to appear before Him in clean clothing. You may recall that Christians are instructed to “cloth themselves” with love, a perfect bond of union (Colos 3:14). And in Revelation, those surviving the great tribulation on earth would be figuratively dressed in “white robes,” depicting clean conduct, having “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Thus, by exercising faith in the ransom sacrifice of the "Lord and his Christ", such ones are able to grow in righteousness by faith and enjoy a right standing with God. (Revel 7:9,13,14; 11:15).

Also, Moses was to set boundaries for the people all around the mountain, so that no one might touch it and “surely be put to death.” The lesson? We all must come to have regard for serious laws or boundaries God sets with regard to pure worship. Sometimes God gives us clear, direct orders, and while these may be of greater or lesser importance, we should listen carefully to such, especially to those we discern are among “the more important things” that we may be assured of obeying these important instructions. Psalm 119:1-4 shares this regard for the Law of God, which we should now apply in Christian light, in these words:

“119 Happy are those who are blameless in their way, Who walk in the law of Jehovoe'. 2 Happy are those who observe his reminders, Who search for him with all their heart. 3 They practice no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways. 4 You have commanded That your orders be carefully kept.”

Let’s engender respect and a high regard for Jehovoe' and His right standards for eternal life, experiencing the blessing of Jehovoe', that “makes one rich, and He adds no pain with it.” (Prove 10:22).

Now, let’s contemplate the appearance of Israel before Jehovoe' in Exodus 19, as they meet to conclude the Mosaic Law covenant.

Let’s begin with Exodus 19:14-15, as Israel prepares to formally meet Jehovoe' God:

“14 Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and he began to sanctify the people, and they washed their clothing. 15 He said to the people: “Get ready for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”

You may recall from the previous consideration that the people were to wash their clothes, which was appropriate for the occasion of appearing formally before Jehovoe'. This may also have figuratively depicted one’s having a clean standing before God, with clean conduct. (Revel 19:8). The next few days they were to demonstrate self-control by abstaining from sexual relations, God’s gift for married partners, as they would bring focus to their relationship with Jehovoe' God, their Life-giver and the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present.” (James 1:17). Their obeying God in this matter may have helped prepare their hearts for obedience to God’s forthcoming Law, as they would conclude with God the Mosaic Law covenant. Jehovoe' gives us His laws and commands for our lasting welfare and happiness, along with such gifts as the gift of marriage. May we always acknowledge God’s right to regulate our lives for our own benefit and the benefit of others, contributing to our true happiness.

Notice God’s power, as He sets the stage for this meeting. Let’s see in Exodus 19:16-19:

“16 On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, and there was a heavy cloud on the mountain and a very loud sound of a horn, and all the people in the camp began to tremble. 17 Moses now brought the people out of the camp to meet the true God, and they took their place at the base of the mountain. 18 Mount Siʹnai smoked all over, because Jehovoe' came down upon it in fire; and its smoke was rising like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain was trembling violently. 19 As the sound of the horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and the voice of the true God answered him.”

So the approach of this meeting brings thunder and lightning—how such can move us to highly regard God’s great power! As promised, there was also a “heavy cloud” on the mountain, which could amplify sound for the occasion, and the “very loud sound of a horn,” perhaps signaling the call for assembling the people before Jehovoe'. The result of all of this was that “all the people in the camp began to tremble.” Certainly, Jehovoe' wanted all of his people Israel to have a proper regard for Him, to “understand the awe or godly fear of Jehovoe', and...find the knowledge of God.” Still, this was to be a healthy fear, not a morbid one. Why, this great God Jehovoe', by His power, and loyal love, had rescued all Israel from Pharaoh and the mighty Egyptian army! They had every reason to be drawn close to God for His just use of His great power. Still, this was certainly an unusual occurrence, which reasonably brought on a “trembling” among all the people, just as our hearts may have trembled some time just at the experience of nearby lightning and thunder.

Moses now brings the people out of the camp “to meet the true God,” and assembles them at the base of Mount Sinai. More miracles awaited them. Jehovoe' “came down” upon the mountain “in fire,” and “its smoke was rising like the smoke of a kiln.” To this day we might reasonably expect the real Mount Sinai to give evidence of this burning, having a burnt appearance, or in some way reflecting this occurrence. Nevertheless, what a sight for all Israel! What evidence of the reality of this great God, Jehovoe', no figment of their imagination! The whole mountain was even “trembling violently.” As the horn sound grew louder, Moses spoke, and Jehovoe' responded—likely with His voice resembling thunder, yet rooted in love—what an astounding and memorable experience! May we likewise visualize Bible events with our mind’s eye, that we may gain greater comprehension of the lessons to be learned—in this case to have a proper regard for the greatness of Jehovoe', not allowing others to cause us to think less of Him for their own egotistical or God-dishonoring and self-serving interests.

What a dramatic display! May we always have a weighty regard for Jehovoe' whenever we approach Him to assemble in Christian meetings, or perhaps assemblies and/or larger conventions. What a privilege to attend such with fellow believers, as those seeking the divine truth of Scripture, to worship the true God Jehovoe' acceptably—as He wants to be worshipped—not just as we wish to worship Him. God’s word itself helps to clarify for us how to do this, that we may become truly united earth-wide, regardless of which tribe of Christianity we may belong to. It is God’s will that we all “speak in agreement, that there may not be divisions among [us], but that [we] may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (1Cori 1:10). Thus, 1Timothy 2:3-4 says “3 This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.” May we pursue and encourage pursuit of Christian truth alongside our fellowman, to the accomplishing of God’s will, the doing of which was like food to Jesus or Jehosha', saying “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.”

_____(7) SongWeekly