DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links and a discussion forum 2013 December 19
Image 1: Caravan (1926)
Martiros Saryan (1880-1972)
Symbolism Style
Location Unknown
Image Source: Wikipaintings
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Image 2: Mount Doom as Depicted in The Lord of the Rings Film Trilogy
Peter Jackson (born 1961)
Photo
Lord of the Rings Film Trilogy
Image Source: Wikipedia
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Image 3: Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa) - (2006)
Tamerlan at pl.wikipedia
Photograph
Private Collection
Image Source: Wikipedia
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Image 4: Mount Sinai (c. 1984-1985)
Ron Wyatt (1933-1999)
Photograph
Wyatt Museum, Cornersville, Tennessee, USA
Image Source: Wyatt Museum
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Image 5: Moses Forbids the People to Follow Him (c. 1896-1902)
James Tissot (1836-1902)
Academic and Impressionist Blended Style
Alternate Classification: French Victorian Neoclassical Style
The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn New York, New York, USA
Image Source: Wikipedia
Explanation: The five images above illustrate the first events at Sinai: the arrival, the presence of the LORD on Sinai, the traditional image of Mount Sinai; an alternate candidate for Mount Sinai, and the second warning against coming on the mountain given by Moses to the people. The second image interprets Mount Sinai as a volcano. It is doubtful that the mountain was volcanic; but some of the effects described in various Scriptures indicate volcano-like effects (particularly some sort of "melting") produced by the presence of the LORD. Exodus 19 verse 18 says that the mountain "quaked greatly" ["shuddered vehemently" - Strong's numbers H2729 and H3966]. Several Scriptures speak of the effect of this as producing some sort of "melt" or "flow" -- perhaps volcanic, but quite possibly avalanches, or the like. The following Scriptures use the following terms for this "melt" or "flow" -- Psalms 68:8; Psalms 97:5; Isaiah 64:1-3; Judges 5:4-5; Nahum 1:5 (H5197; H4549; H2151; H5140; H4127 -- respectively).
In Exodus 19 the LORD prepares to give the Law on Mount Sinai, often identified as Jebel Musa, alternately identified by some as Jebel el Lawz next to a well watered plain in Midian in Arabia (Exodus 3:1,12; Galatians 4:25). In mid-May, three months after leaving Egypt, Israel arrived at Mount Sinai in the Wilderness of Sinai. The LORD called Moses up to the mountain while Israel remained in the camp. The LORD told him to tell the people to remember what they did to the Egyptians and brought them to himself to be a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (1-6). So Moses assembled the elders and told them these words; and the people promised to do all that the LORD commanded. The LORD then told Moses that he was coming to him in a thick cloud so that the people could hear him speak and believe him forever (7-9). The LORD then told Moses to consecrate themselves for the next two days, to wash their garments, and to have no marital relations. He also commanded that neither man nor beast should touch the mountain, lest they be put to death (10-15). On the third day the mountain was shaken with thunder and lightning. It was covered with a thick cloud. A very loud trumpet blast sounded out, causing the people to tremble. And Moses brought the people out of their tents to stand before God at the foot of the mountain. Smoke and fire from the presence of the LORD wrapped the mountain; and the LORD called Moses up to the mountain again (16-20). As soon as Moses came before the LORD, the LORD sent him down again to warn the people again not to come post the barriers around the mountain; and the LORD commanded him to bring Aaron (21-25).
Exodus 19
1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain,
3 while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.
8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.
9 And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD,
10 the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments
11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.
13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain."
14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments.
15 And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman."
16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.
18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.
19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.
20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to look and many of them perish.
22 Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them."
23 And Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, 'Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.'"
24 And the LORD said to him, "Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them."
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
PARTICIPATION: We have 7 areas available (via email) for your participation. We are accepting contributions for Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image daily and invites discussion of the artist, style, or Biblical subjects depicted. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible for which we are accepting visual, auditory, musical, and written contributions on any Biblical passage or theme. Our goal is to have a community-made, online, Illuminated Bible.
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copyright 2013, Scott Souza
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