December 29, 2020
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in some Exodus? Here’s today’s reading:
Exodus 19 (NIV)
At Mount Sinai
1 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.........Continue Reading
This chapter is another reminder of how powerful God is and how we need to prepare to come before Him. God’s instructions are clear and he expects obedience even at the consequence of death.
God comes in a terrifying way with thunder, lightning, and smoke….a trumpet from heaven sounds and people were afraid. We need to fear God and not become too familiar with Him and take for granted all He has done for us!
Exodus 19
What an awesome display of God’s glory and power fitting for our great God. How blessed the Jews are to see this and to have this experience to help them internalize who they are dealing with. It’s no wonder they commit to do all that God asks them, and yet if only they followed through on their promise. Not that we are unaware of similar dynamics though. We too have powerful experiences with God where His love and/or conviction is heavy upon us and we are sure we will follow Him more fully or maintain a commitment we make, only to fail when the experience goes away. That is why faith and self control are so essential to our Christian lives. And yet God continues to bolster both with manifestations of Himself. And the manifestation here in exodus 19 is one for the ages and still can give us goosebumps when we imagine ourselves on the plain before Sinai see the power of God and Moses ascending the mountain to speak to Him.
And yet that same God dwells within us through His Spirit…how personal our God is…to speak to us…to use us…to walk with us and allow us to walk with Him….
Exodus 19
What a powerful display of God’s power and might. “Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. 20 Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.”
I was kind of confused where God tells Moses to go down and warn the Israelites don’t break through to the mountain and perish, and Moses answers, “they can’t because you told us not to and we set boundaries.” Then God says, “Away! Go and come up with Aaron.”
Is God mad at Moses because he answers back that the people won’t break through?
I read on enduringword a comparison of Mt Sinai and Mt Zion. I found it really encouraging.
“Hebrews 12:18-24 says clearly that under the New Covenant we come to a different mountain, that our salvation and relationship with God is centered at Mount Zion, not Mount Sinai.
· Sinai speaks of fear and terror, Zion of love and forgiveness.
· Sinai is in a dry desert, but Zion is the city of the Living God.
· Sinai, with all its fear and power is earthly; but the Mount Zion we come to is heavenly and spiritual.
· At Sinai, only Moses could come and meet God; at Zion, there is an innumerable company, a general assembly.
· Sinai had guilty men in fear, but Zion has just men made perfect.
· At Sinai, Moses is the mediator, but at Zion, Jesus the mediator.
· Sinai put forth an Old Covenant, ratified by the blood of animals; Zion has a New Covenant, ratified by the blood of God’s precious Son.
· Sinai was all about barriers and exclusion; Zion is all about invitation.
· Sinai is all about Law, Zion is all about grace.
3Then 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. 5Now 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, 6you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.