Great Stories of the Bible – Part 14 Moses and the Law Exodus 13–34; 2 Corinthians 3:7–18

Great Stories of the Bible – Part 14

Moses and the Law

Exodus 13–34; 2 Corinthians 3:7–18

Moses and the Israelites had just been freed from slavery in Egypt. Pharaoh finally let them go, and they left with joy, carrying the bones of Joseph as a sign of their hope in God's promises. From the very beginning, God led them—by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13). But Pharaoh soon changed his mind and pursued them to the Red Sea (Exodus 14). There, God parted the waters so His people could cross on dry land. The Egyptian army followed and was swept away as the sea returned to its place. Some have tried to explain the miracle away by claiming the water was shallow—but in that case, the miracle would be that God drowned an entire army in three feet of water!

In Exodus 15, the Israelites rejoiced, led in worship by Miriam, Moses’ sister. But their praise quickly turned into grumbling. They found only bitter water at Marah, and once again, God provided—sweetening the water through Moses. They camped peacefully for a time at Elim, but in Exodus 16, hunger set in and complaints rose. The people longed for Egypt’s meat pots and bread, forgetting their bondage. God, in His mercy, sent manna from heaven and quail for meat. Though at first they disobeyed His instructions, they eventually learned to trust His daily provision.

The cycle of complaint and provision continued in Exodus 17. At Rephidim, they lacked water, and God brought it from a rock. Then the Amalekites attacked. Moses sent Joshua to lead the battle, while Moses, with hands raised in prayer, stood on a hill. As long as his hands were lifted, Israel prevailed. When he tired, Aaron and Hur held his arms up until victory was secured.

Exodus 18 brings a practical moment: Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, visits and offers wise advice. Seeing that Moses was wearing himself out by handling every dispute alone, Jethro urges him to delegate authority to trustworthy leaders.

In Exodus 19, the Israelites arrive at Mt. Sinai—the very place where God had first called Moses through the burning bush. Now, three months after leaving Egypt, God invites the people into a covenant. He declares, “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5–6). The people agree, and Moses climbs the mountain to meet with God.

In Exodus 20, God gives the Ten Commandments. Over the next chapters (21–23), He delivers more of His law, laying the foundation for how Israel is to live as His people. He also promises that His angel will go before them. In Exodus 24, the covenant is confirmed. The elders of Israel, along with Moses, see a vision of God that sounds remarkably like what the Apostle John later saw in Revelation—they saw Jesus.

Moses remains on the mountain for 40 days and nights (Exodus 25–31), receiving detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. But while Moses is away, the people lose patience. In Exodus 32, they pressure Aaron to make a golden calf. God’s anger burns, and He offers Moses the chance to start over with a new nation. But Moses intercedes for Israel, pleading for mercy. He returns, breaks the tablets of the law, destroys the idol, and disciplines the people. God sends a plague in response to their idolatry.

In Exodus 33, Moses pleads with God once more—this time, asking to see His glory so he can lead the people with confidence. Remarkably, God grants his request. Moses becomes the only one in Scripture to see the Father and live. That leads us to Exodus 34, where Moses ascends Sinai again and receives a new set of tablets. When he comes down, something extraordinary happens—his face is shining with the reflected glory of God. The people are afraid, so Moses wears a veil after speaking with them. But whenever he returns to speak with God, the veil is removed. Moses’ shining face becomes a visible sign of the glory of the old covenant.

But Paul, writing in 2 Corinthians 3, makes a powerful comparison: if the old covenant—written on stone and centered on law—came with such glory that people couldn’t even look at Moses' face, how much greater is the glory of the new covenant, written on our hearts by the Spirit of God? The law brought condemnation and death. It revealed sin but could not save. Grace, on the other hand, brings righteousness and life. What once had glory now pales in comparison to the surpassing glory of Christ.

Paul explains that just as Moses wore a veil, so too do many still live with veiled hearts—unable to see the full truth of God’s plan. That veil remains over those who cling to the law. But when a person turns to Christ, the veil is lifted. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” In Christ, we behold the glory of God with unveiled faces and are being transformed into His image from one degree of glory to another.

The law is a mirror that shows us our sin. Grace is a mirror that shows us the glory of God. The law is fading; grace is everlasting. The law veils truth; grace unveils it. The law brings bondage; grace brings liberty. As Jesus said in John 8:34–36, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

The old hymn says it well:

Free from the law, O happy condition,

Jesus has bled and there is remission;

Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,

Grace hath redeemed us once for all.

So the question remains: Do you want to stand on the law—or on grace? One shows us how far short we fall. The other lifts us up to where we could never reach on our own.

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