How long does it take to receive 10 commandments? Why should it take 40 days and nights?
This is what I once thought. But now I know better. Moses was up on the mountain not only to receive the 10 commandments, but also for the following reasons:
1. To receive instructions from God on what the people may voluntarily bring Him as an offering: to be used to build the tabernacle, the tabernacle furnishings, and for the priest’s garments, the ephod and chestpiece (Ex. 25: 1-9).
2. To receive from God all the plans and instructions to make the Ark (Ex. 25:10-22).
3. To receive from God all the plans and instructions to make the Table of Showbread (Ex. 25:23-29).
4. To receive from God all the plans and instructions to make the Lampstand (Ex. 25:31-40).
5. To receive from God all the plans and instructions to make the Tabernacle Ex. 26:1-37).
6. To receive from God all the plans and instructions to make the Altar of Burt Offering (Ex. 27:1-8).
7. To receive from God all the plans and instructions to make the courtyard (Ex. 27:9-21).
8. To receive from God all the plans and instructions to make the clothing for the priests (Ex. 28:1-5, 31-43).
9. To receive from God the plans and instructions to design the Ephod (Ex. 28:6-14).
10. To receive from God the plans and instructions to design the Chestpiece (Ex. 28:15-30).
11. To receive from God the instructions for the Dedication of the Priests (Ex. 29:1-46).
12. To receive from God the plans and instructions to make the Incense Altar (Ex. 30:1-10).
13. To receive from God instructions on how to collect money for the Tabernacle (Ex. 30:11-16).
14. To receive from God the plans and instructions for the Washbasin (Ex. 30:17-21).
15. To receive from God instructions on how to make and use Anointing Oil (Ex. 30:22-33).
16. To receive from God instructions on how to make and use incense (Ex. 30:34-38).
17. To receive from God instructions on how two craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab were to make things for the Tabernacle (Ex. 31:1-11).
18. To receive from God instructions for the Sabbath (Ex. 31:12-17).
19. To receive from God the 10 Commandments written by the finger of God (Ex. 31:18).
Wow, I would say Moses had a lot to do in just 40 day. I wonder if he wrote all the plans and instruction down on something, or if he somehow memorized it all. That would have been some task if he did memorize everything.
Let me know your thoughts.
Prayer A to Z 
Today I read in Exodus 27:8, God said to Moses “Be careful to build it [the Altar of Burnt Offering] just as you were shown on the mountain.” so here, since this is in the past tense, I take it that Moses receive all the plans while on the mountain and then he recorded them after he had gone down. Wow! God caused him to remember all that.
Also to tests man’s faithfulness – not long before he was in an orgy ;(
The story of Moses climbing up Mt Sinai for 40 days and nights, then carrying down the approximately 300 lb stone tablets the 10 commandments were written on, was a myth! He had NO food or water, and the temperatures were VERY cold at night on the approx. 7,000 mt. top. And how could a 80 yr old man carry 2 stone tablets weighing 300 lbs, wearing handmade sandals
over a rock-encrusted trail? When you ask these type of simple questions of the Bible stories, you’ll come to the realization VERY quickly, that they were ALL myths!!
I don’t think those tablets had to be that heavy. But regardless, I do believe that that 80 year old man was stronger and healthier than a 40 year old man today. The Bible says he was very healthy. But nonetheless, there could be miracles involved here. The Bible is full of miracles.
how could a 70 year old birth a child? you seem to think anyone chosen by the the Most High is subject to your conception of reality, as Jesus (the Son of the Father) said “I am the bread of life, he that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thrist.” (John 6:35)
Don’t forget Jesus also spent the 40 days and nights dry fasting in the dessert. Have you ever been in a dessert at night? its cold; real cold. But faith and spirit do much to remove the limitations of the world.(If GOD wills it, thats the rub, if you try full of ego, you will d*e)
were they (Jesus and Moses) miserable while doing it? Probably not, being in the presence of the Most High and being miserable is like being cold when standing 10 feet from the sun(truly i tell you if you have ever actually felt the full extent of GODs Love you would have no doubt, no fear, no discontent, you would be as a child marveling at this beautiful creation, at its marvelous creator, you would be as the Buddha, unphased by all worldly troubles, and able to calm and bring peace to all you encounter)
This is also the same reason the spiritual teachers of India & the Buddha can eat and drink things that would end the average man. (For the gurus it was stuff like nails or poison, and for the Buddha it was a massive jar of very strong liquor (think like wood grain[99%]), and he only did it to show his disciples that drinking was pointless when you reach enlightment)
I get doubting though, especially when the world has devolved into such a materialistic mentality, because nothing in this worlds rules would allow it, but thankfully the Most High has sway over all the constructs made, that includes the rules that dictate Death (clearly shown by Jesus when he says that Lazarus sleeps, and commands him to rise[john 11:11 & john 11:41-43) Jesus literally spent his life explaining this to people in words that they could hopefully understand, if you fast, pray, and have faith anything that you command (so long as GOD wills it) will occur. “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20)
Staying in the presence of Almighty Creator God for forty days will do unimaginable amazing things to a mere human.
That’s for sure. And like Moses we need to empty ourselves and be ready to receive what God wants to give us
I agree. It seems that the longer I stay in His presence in prayer, the better my day is and stronger I am spiritually. One extra minutes of prayer will give us several better minutes to meet the day.
Insightful!…but on return to the mt, after he found his people have defiled themselves…he went back to get the new tablets written by God…..he still took 40 days n 40 nights!….he wasnt receiving instructions this time around…or was he?
I would love someone to reply this. What made him spend the same time the second time like he did the first
He spent the same time because God decided to re-do what he did at first that’s why the whole process took the same number of days only that God added some layer of grace and renewal. I also think it was His divine decision to make it 40 days to ensure equality with the first.