Tag: exodus 19

Encountering God (Exodus 19:9-25)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year ALeave a comment
Israel at Mount Sinai, by Jan Luijken (1649–1712)

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.”

Moses told the Lord what the people had said. Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch. Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death. No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.’ However, when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain.”

So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and they washed their clothes. He told them, “Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from having sexual intercourse.”

On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply. The Lord came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.

Then the Lord told Moses, “Go back down and warn the people not to break through the boundaries to see the Lord, or they will die. Even the priests who regularly come near to the Lord must purify themselves so that the Lord does not break out and destroy them.”

“But Lord,” Moses protested, “the people cannot come up to Mount Sinai. You already warned us. You told me, ‘Mark off a boundary all around the mountain to set it apart as holy.’”

But the Lord said, “Go down and bring Aaron back up with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people break through to approach the Lord, or he will break out and destroy them.”

So Moses went down to the people and told them what the Lord had said. (New Living Translation)

Moses receives the Ten Commandments, by Caspar Luijken (1672-1708)

There’s a lot of drama surrounding today’s Old Testament story. That’s because it’s a big deal when an announcement comes that God is about to show up, speak to the people, and be with them. This is definitely not the stuff of daily mundane life.

The Mount Sinai event is one of the most remembered and talked about events in the Old Testament. This encounter establishes that the presence of the Lord is with Moses, thereby giving him authority over the people. It authenticates the leadership of Moses up to this point – in leading the people out of Egyptian slavery and to the Promised Land.

The presence of God with the people, demonstrated in Moses the leader, assures the Israelites of protection against dangers from other nations and peoples. The divine presence of the Lord will be seen preeminently in the giving of the Law. God’s very Word is encapsulated in the commands and instructions given to Moses on the mountain.

Although the scene on Mount Sinai appears dark, serious, and even scary, it nonetheless is a gift of God’s self-revelation to the people. The Law is a wonderful and gracious provision for Israel. The Lord is providing necessary guidance for living, direction in shaping successful spiritual lives, and the opportunity for obedience to a life-giving system of laws.

If the Israelites hear and obey the Lord, they will be God’s special and treasured people – a nation of priests, a people set apart to be a light for the world.

So, preparations were made for God to enter. The Lord is truly awesome and holy, and so, certain boundaries needed to be established so that the people would be safe and not overcome by such immense light and power. The mountain shakes in anticipation of the divine arrival; the shofar (ram’s horn) is heard, signaling the imminent entrance of God.

The people are assembled by Moses. God descends in the fire, which accompanies the Lord’s presence. Yahweh has come to Israel. The way is now prepared for God’s revelation to be given to Moses in Israel’s hearing. It is an awesome sight and experience.

Perhaps your own days on this earth seem very ho-hum compared to the mountain encounter of Moses and God. You may even feel as if your prayers are puny and don’t get beyond the ceiling of your house. Yet, there is always and continually an opportunity to meet with this very same God, without all the pomp and scariness.

Every single day we have the gracious and wonderful opportunity of opening the book containing a good and merciful God’s self-revelation, and reading gracious words of life to live by. We have guidance for our earthly journey; there is direction for our needy souls.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105, NLT)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT)

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, so that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Living with Purpose (Exodus 19:1-9a)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year ALeave a comment
Moses, by Marc Chagall, 1956

On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

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: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 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, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

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. The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

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.” (New International Version)

If I were to list every job I’ve ever had in my life, it would be a long list. I’m sure, at this point in my life, that I wouldn’t immediately recall some of them. Some workplaces were run well. Others, especially in the factories I worked, were characterized by inattention to working conditions and expected employees to be more like extensions of their machines than like people. And I typically never knew why we were doing what we were doing.

I’ve also been in many churches and pastored a wide array of congregations. Some of the churches were run well and were attentive to their mission and service to the world. Others left a lot to be desired. Without trying to be simplistic, today’s Old Testament lesson gives the clue to what makes the difference: a clear sense of purpose. 

God made it clear that Israel was given the mandate “to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Although there was always a remnant of Israelites who held to this original purpose, we know the end of the story. Israel largely failed to fulfill their God-given reason for existence and did not follow through with their missionary goal. They ended up in exile, mostly because of straying from their intended purpose, which then also led to a lack of holiness.

When Christians, Churches, and faith communities of all kinds lose sight of why they exist, they degenerate into a bunch of finicky cats who want ever richer food and a lusher bed to sleep on. 

So, let’s be clear about the reason for our existence as an institutional Body of believers: We exist not to be catered to, but to be people who do the priestly work of interceding for others so that the nations might come to know the God of all the earth. 

“Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbor on our knees.”

Charles Bent

We exist for holiness, set apart to be the conduit between heaven and earth so that others might come to embrace the life that is truly life. 

Christianity recognizes that it was Christ who fulfilled the great promises of God as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. Through his holy life, Christ became the priest who made the once for all sacrifice to end all sacrifices. He reigns over a moral kingdom which is a light to the nations. And the Church, as Christ’s Body, is to continue this purpose of kingdom ethics by letting the light of Jesus shine into the shadowy dark places of this world.

Wherever you find complaining, backbiting, gossip, and slander, there you will find a profound lack of purpose. Because without a “why,” people fill the vacuum with endless squabbling about petty affairs which amount to nothing, in the scope of eternity.

And wherever there is only talk of how others can meet personal needs and satisfy pet desires, in that place there is a lost mandate to be a priest bringing others to God. 

The gracious and priestly work of intercession is the purpose many are lacking. Believers everywhere must return to this holy and sacred vocation.

Jesus modeled for us the work of intercession when he prayed:

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:24-26, NIV)

The Lord has said what the divine purpose is. It is our task, therefore, to do everything God has spoken.

O sovereign and majestic God, you are holy. So, I choose to be holy in all I do. I intercede for those around me who either cannot or will not come to you on their own. Draw them to yourself so that they might experience the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.