The name chosen for our church was the focal point of one of the most significant events in bible history, the deliverance and journey of a people that God would mold into a nation. This holy site, also known as Mount Sinai is where God commanded Moses to go back into Egypt and free His children from the yoke of the Egyptians. Moses would return some months after their departure from Egypt to this same mountain to receive God’s Law, the Ten Commandments.

In the first verses of chapter three, in the book of Exodus, we see for the first time Horeb mentioned in the Bible. This is the first account of God’s encounter with Moses on the ‘Mountain of God’ at the Burning Bush.

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appears to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up." When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."

And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. (Exodus 3:12)

The Journey Begins

Moses returns to Egypt as God commanded to free the Israelites from the yoke of bondage. Scripture records from Exodus chapters four through twelve, a series of miraculous events in which Moses attempts to get the Israelites out of Egypt, but God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that through these series of signs and events God may be glorified. Finally, in Chapter 12 of Exodus, we see Pharaoh’s heart softened by God and the Israelites were freed from bondage.

Once the Israelites are released, God led them around by the desert road by the Red Sea where He continued to show His power. He did this through a number of miracles including the parting of the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to cross over on dry land and allowing the water to swallow up and drown the Egyptians who were in pursuit of them (Chapter 14). After crossing the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites went into the Desert of Shur (Ex. 15:22). They left Shur and went into Marah, and then Elim (Ex. 15:27). The Israelites moved from Elim to the Desert of Sin (between Elim and Sinai) on the fifteenth day in the second month following their exit from Egypt (Ex. 16:1). The Israelites left the Desert of Sin and went to Rephidim, upon God’s command. The Israelites continued to question God’s loyalty to them and asked Moses why he brought them out of Egypt to die in the desert of thirst. Once again, God used Moses to perform a miracle.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:6)

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought Moses’ wife and children to him in the desert (Rephidim -- not stated) near the ‘Mountain of God’ (earlier stated Horeb -- Ex. 3:1) (Ex. 18:1-5). In the third month after leaving Egypt, they came to the Desert of Sinai. Israel camped in front of the mountain in the desert. God told Moses to consecrate the people because He was going to come down onto Mount Sinai in the sight of the people.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:9-11)

As he was instructed, Moses built a barrier around the mountain so that no one would touch the mountain. If anyone touched it they would be put to death. God descended on Mount Sinai in a fire and spoke the Ten Commandments and other laws to Moses so that the Israelites could hear.
In Chapter twenty-four, God’s instructions (Ex. 3:12) was fulfilled. God summoned Moses, Aaron, several priests, and elders onto Mount Sinai to worship. All but Moses was to worship at a distance, but Moses alone was to approach God.

And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. And Moses alone shall come near the Lord: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. (Exodus 24:1-2)

And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. (Exodus 24:15-18)

Walking In Victory

The history of Mount Horeb, and the events surrounding its significance so many years ago is one of triumphant. We all can walk in triumph and victory today through Christ Jesus. We believe Mount Horeb Baptist Church is fertile ground to begin that journey. As noted above and as scripture records, God said

“ Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it that the people may drink,” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:6)

Just as God made provision for his children during the days of Moses, He has made provision for his people today. He has put before us a free flowing fountain of living water that we may drink and no longer thirst. That living water is Jesus Christ. At Horeb, God charged Moses to go and free His children from the yoke of bondage, let us as Christians charged by Jesus Christ, the son of the Father, go and make disciples of all men that they may be free through the blood of Jesus Christ.