Prepare to Meet Thy Maker
Opening Prayer
Lord, cultivate within me the proper degree of awe when we are speaking one-on-one.
Read Exodus 19:1–25
On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”
23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession” (Exod. 19:5).
A striking thing about this chapter is that so much more space is given to the people’s preparation than to the actual appearance of God (theophany). Coming into God’s presence is a serious issue. The people need to prepare by washing, consecrating themselves and maintaining the given boundaries. If they come too close to or touch the mountain, then the consequence would be death (12,13,21). Although God has already given instructions that the people are not to come too close (12), once he appears on the mountain he sends Moses down to reiterate the command (21,22). When Moses effectively tells God that he’s repeating himself (23), God simply restates his request a third time. God is fully aware of fallen human nature. Though he describes his people as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (6), they nevertheless need to consecrate themselves at a respectful distance before coming into God’s presence. When Peter tells the Christians that they are a royal priesthood and a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9), he speaks similarly. He instructs them to put off sin and keep their behavior excellent (1 Pet. 2:1,11,12).
In some ways, this is the most boring and generally unappealing aspect of life. We can’t wait to get to the spectacular theophany and see the smoking mountain, the fire and the earthquake and to hear the thunder and the trumpet (16–19). Instead, metaphorically at least, we must wash our clothes, consecrate ourselves, or (in New Testament language) put on the armor of God, cultivate the fruit of the Spirit and clothe ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). This is the proper posture toward a God who comes down to earth, whether in fire atop a quaking mountain, or in a manger as a baby.
Apply
Pray that the Holy Spirit may transform you in any aspects of your personality that “war against your soul,” such as a short temper or dependence on money.
Closing prayer
Lord, I thank You for making me a treasured possession of Yours and for including me in Your New Testament kingdom of priests.
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