Lesson 14: “Ye Shall Be a Peculiar Treasure unto Me”

PURPOSE: To encourage class members to partake of the Lord's spiritual water and bread, sustain his chosen leaders, and obey his commandments so he can make of them a "holy nation" (Exodus 19:6).

Imagine that you are going on a journey in a country that you have never been to before. You do not speak the language, and the land has not been mapped. How would you prepare for a trip like this? Let me suggest the use of a GUIDE and ask, what qualifications would you want in a guide leading you on this trip?

Our lesson this week begins with Moses parting the red sea and leading the Israelites to dry land. When Pharaoh and his chariots follow in pursuit "the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them." After the Israelites had passed through the Red Sea, the Lord instructed Moses to lead them to the promised land. But first the Lord tested the Israelites' faith in the wilderness. Many of the people lacked faith, complaining to the Lord instead of turning to him. Nevertheless, the Lord provided water for their thirst and manna and quail for their hunger.

We will follow the Israelites on their journey. Their experiences in the wilderness can teach us important lessons as we journey through life. One important lesson is that we can trust God to guide and care for us as he did the Israelites.

Study the following scriptures:

a. Exodus 15:22–27; 16:1–31; 17:1–7. The children of Israel murmur because they are thirsty and hungry; the Lord provides water, manna, and quail.

b. Exodus 17:8–13; 18:13–26. Amalek attacks Israel. Israel prevails while Moses holds up his hands, but Amalek prevails when Moses tires and lowers his hands. Aaron and Hur hold up Moses’ hands, and Israel wins the battle (17:8–13). Moses appoints judges, delegating authority to them (18:13–26).

c. Exodus 19–20. The Lord meets with Moses on Mount Sinai and gives Israel the Ten Commandments. d. Exodus 32–34. Moses receives stone tablets containing instructions from the Lord but breaks the tablets when he sees the people worshiping a golden calf (31:18; 32:1–24). The Lord takes the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood from Israel and gives them a lesser law, the law of Moses (Joseph Smith Translation, Exodus 34:1–2). Moses hews new tablets of stone, but the new tablets do not include “the words of the everlasting covenant of the holy priesthood” (34:1–5; Joseph Smith Translation, Deuteronomy 10:2). The people covenant to obey the law of Moses (Exodus 34:10–35).

Questions to Consider:

• How is manna a representation of Christ? (See John 6:35.) How does Christ’s living bread differ from manna? (See John 6:48–51.) How can we daily partake of Christ’s living bread?

• What did the Lord promise the children of Israel if they would be obedient? (See Exodus 19:3–6.) How do these promises apply to us today?

• Why did the Lord give the children of Israel the law of Moses? (See Galatians 3:23–24; Mosiah 13:29; Alma 25:15–16; D&C 84:19–27.) How would this law help make Israel holy and bring them to Christ? (See Mosiah 13:30; Alma 34:14–15.)

• When was the law of Moses fulfilled? (See 3 Nephi 15:4–10.) Now that the Lord no longer requires animal sacrifices, which were an important part of the law of Moses, what sacrifice does he ask us to make? (See 3 Nephi 9:19–22.) What does it mean to offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit?

Additional reading: Psalm 78; 1 Corinthians 10:1–11; Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–27.