The Giving of the Law

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1864

The Giving of the Law.

Lo! Jehovah came from Heaven, Clothed in majesty as he came, And a light to earth was given Like the burning of a flame.

He came down upon Mount Sinai, On the summit of the hill, Holding in his hand a pattern, And a transcript of his will—

Pattern of his holy temple, Where He kept his holy law; And the glorious exhibition, Filled the Israelites with awe.

Moses then received commission, That vast Hebrew host to bring, Round the mount where they could listen, To the voice of God their King.

Long and loud the trumpet sounded, Quaked the mount, the earth, the air, When the people, all astounded, Bowed before Jehovah there.

Then He spake the ten commandments With a loud and thunder-tone, And with his own finger wrote them, On two tables made of stone.

Then as his peculiar people, He to them revealed the plan Of an earthly tabernacle To keep with them in the land.

Where the blood of guiltless victims On its altar could be lain, Pointing to the dear Redeemer, Who for sinners should be slain.

In the holy of the holies, Was the ark and law of God, There enshrouded 'neath its glory, Through the Jewish age it stood.

All its tacklings, cords, and curtains God to Moses did recount, Saying, See thou surely make it, As was showed thee in the mount.

Thus he showed how in his wisdom, He had pitched a temple where, When his Son had filled his mission, He could stand to offer prayer.

Here the sinner brought his offering, Here the Priest atoned for him, Here the law was sheltered under Mercy-seat and cherubim.

These were types of things in Heaven, And to us revealed the plan How our sins can be forgiven, Through the blood of Christ the Lamb.

But the types and shadows ended, When the Son of God was slain, When he cried in death, 'Tis finished, And the vail was rent in twain.

Now no more on earthly altars Is the blood of victims poured; For our great High Priest has entered The true temple of the Lord.

For a season he is pleading His own blood on Calvary spilt, Now the "penitent" believing, Can be saved from all his guilt.

But the days of priesthood ended, He will take his kingly throne, King of kings, by hosts attended Then he'll come to claim his own.

May we feel the moments precious, While he pleads before the throne, Haste to keep all God's commandments And the faith of his dear Son. CORNELIA RICE.

Folsomdale, N. Y.