The Story
Jan 27, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
God speaks. Israel stumbles. Grace endures. Lesson 4 captures both the spiritual high point of Mount Sinai and the sobering wilderness journey that followed. At Sinai, God gives His people the Ten Commandments and establishes a covenant of worship, obedience, and presence. But rebellion breaks out quickly—the golden calf, grumbling, and rejection of the promised land lead to 40 years of wandering. Still, God remains faithful. His glory fills the tabernacle, His mercy spares a rebellious generation, and His plan presses on. The story reminds us: God’s presence is both holy and gracious—and His commands are for our good, even when we wander.
Lesson 4 – New Commands & Wandering
Scripture Focus:
- Exodus 19–20, 24–25, 32–34, 40
- Numbers 10–14, 20–21, 25, 27
- Deuteronomy 1–2, 4, 6, 8–9, 29–32, 34
Part 1: New Commands and a New Covenant
I. At Mount Sinai (Exodus 19)
- God descends in fire and cloud
- The people prepare to meet a holy God
II. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
- Laws governing our relationship with God (1–4)
- Laws guiding relationships with others (5–10)
III. Worshipers Called Out (Exodus 24–25)
- Covenant confirmed by blood
- Instructions for building the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant
IV. The Golden Calf (Exodus 32)
- Israel grows impatient and turns to idolatry
- Moses intercedes for mercy; God disciplines but does not destroy
V. God with Us (Exodus 33–34, 40)
- Moses sees God’s glory
- Covenant renewed
- The Tabernacle is completed—God’s glory fills the camp
Part 2: Wandering
I. The Rabble (Numbers 10–12)
- Complaining leads to judgment
- Quail and plague
- Even Miriam and Aaron grumble against Moses
II. A Crisis of Faith (Numbers 13–14; 20)
- Spies sent into Canaan: 10 bring fear, 2 bring faith
- Israel refuses to enter the land—judgment pronounced
- Death of Miriam and Aaron; water from the rock incident at Meribah
III. Fighting Battles (Numbers 21, 25)
- Victories over Arad, Sihon, and Og
- The Bronze Serpent lifted up—foreshadowing Christ (cf. John 3:14)
IV. Transitions (Numbers 27; Deuteronomy selections)
- Balaam’s oracles and rebuke
- Joshua chosen to succeed Moses
- Moses dies outside the Promised Land, viewing it from afar
Application & Takeaways
- God gives commands not to control us—but to guide us into life and blessing.
- Worship without obedience becomes idolatry.
- Faith is not just about believing in God—it’s about trusting His ways in the unknown.
- Even when we rebel, God remains faithful—His presence still goes with us.
- Jesus is the true and better mediator, the fulfillment of the law, and the One lifted up for our healing.