In the Third Day (and Waiting for the Sun to Rise)

And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning…Exodus 19:11 + 16Feast of Pentecost

I copied this blurb from a website called JewFAQ Blog, more specifically from a page on the site referred to as ‘Judaism 100.’ I cannot attest to its accuracy, but needless to say I found it interesting.

“Shavu’ot, the Festival of Weeks (*Feast of Pentecost), is the second of the three major festivals…Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah (the Law) at Mount Sinai…Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavu’ot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality. Shavu’ot is also known as Pentecost, because it falls on the 50th day; however, Shavu’ot has no particular similarity to the Christian holiday of Pentecost, which occurs 50 days after their spring holiday.”

No Similarity?

The notion that there is no particular similarity is illogical, given the scope of the Bible in its entirety. The historical event that occurred on Mount Sinai—the giving of the Law, is a picture of what was to come in the receiving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost in Acts chapter two. The parallels we can draw between these two events are extraordinary.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

As we read through Acts and Exodus 19, we can see that these two events are replete with similarity. God makes an appearance at both these events and we see smoke, we see fire, we hear His voice as a loud trumpet, and (by the power of the Holy Spirit) the speaking in tongues. Did you know that the Rabbis to this very day proclaim that when God spoke on Mount Sinai He did so in seventy languages? Amazing!

However, the most significant parallel is the one where we see the most dissimilarity. It is noteworthy because in their relationship—the combining of these two historical events, we see the Gospel message come full spiral. Understand that when the Law was given at Mount Sinai it brought death, for in it was a maxim that no man could achieve.

So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. Exodus 32:28

But in the receiving of Christ Jesus, the yoke of the Law was broken and those who believe have life everlasting.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:41

When the Law came down off the mountain, three thousand perished, but on the day the Holy Spirit came upon Christ’s disciples, about three thousand lived like they have never lived before! The Law destroys and Jesus saves—the contrast of those certainties binds these accounts not as one, but as an illustration pointing towards the redemptive course found in Christ alone. It is not a circle we navigate, but rather an escalating spiritual-spiral we traverse, one that takes us past places we have seen while simultaneously towards what lingers ahead.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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*Babble Blog

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1 + 4

Separation

Today, I began a study in the book of Titus and I was reminded how Paul had left Titus in Crete in order to maintain the Christian church there. I got to thinking how this church was likely established and recalled the account of the Cretans who were saved at Pentecost.

Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Cretans and Arabs–we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts 2:7, 8, + 11

It seems probable that these same Acts 2 Cretans returned to their native land and commenced doing church, which got me thinking about people groups and why we were all separated to begin with.

Babel

Ah yes, it is all coming back to me, the Tower of Babel; the story of what happens when mankind gets together and excludes God. As a result of that catastrophe, God scattered the masses, creating peculiar people groups and odd languages. Because God created these divisions, it is only reasonable to believe that He alone can impel restoration.

The Lesson of Pentecost

All one need do is look at the results of man’s attempts to restore whole-earth unity. From the most ancient of days to the modern era, all have failed. Pentecost confirms that there is but One way to restore order and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. Eventually, the Antichrist will come on the scene making yet another try. Initially he will find limited success, but we know by God’s word that in the end, he too will fail miserably.

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