Scripture: Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:20-21 ESV
Observation: God, having spoken the ten commandments to Moses within listening distance to Israel, marks his ratifying signature on the covenant with a symbolic display of his might: flashes of lightning, thunder, rising smoke, and a sound like that of a trumpet blast (20:18). Initially, the people react with alarming fear for their life and distance themselves from this amazing theophany, pleading with Moses to act as their mediator (20:19). Moses responds with a reassuring directive: do not fear (as the world fears) but fear God in a manner that yields obedience to the law, that they may not sin (20:20 above). So the people keep their distance while Moses draws near the Lord under cover of “thick darkness” (20:21 above).
Takeaway: Reverberating from the Creation story and Abrahamic covenant, Yahweh hovers in the darkness and reveals his presence in a particular display of light (Hebrew lappid) found only in two places of the Torah: here (lightning) and Genesis 15:17 (referring to the torch that passed through the animal carcasses). The Lord’s intent, perhaps, is to remind his people that he is their Creator and covenant-keeper. And as theologian Walter Kaiser notes, the text conveys two fear responses. Initially gripped with “tormenting fear” (that comes from a sense of guilt or unwarranted alarm), Moses tells the people to respond with a “salutary fear” (founded in an attitude of trust in God and his purposes). The first is destructive to ourselves and or others, depending on how we attempt to manage our fears. It’s heavy in judgment and void of grace. The second is constructive: rich in grace and mercy, inspiring us to bless our covenant-keeping God with obedience to his laws. But Israel is not there yet. So they seek a mediator who has earned the right to stand before God.
With the soon establishment of the priesthood, Israel would continue to lean on a mediator who would enter the Holy of Holies and offer sin sacrifices on behalf of the people. But under the New Covenant of Grace, Christ, our Mediator, has redeemed us from the transgressions that brought us judgment under the Mosaic covenant (Hebrews 9:15). Hence, we may draw near his throne of grace and receive grace and mercy to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Thus, when we feel overwhelmed in the presence of God, we need not shrink with feelings of guilt or alarm but constructively fear him with reverent worship and a renewed desire to trust and obey him.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for giving us your Son, our Mediator of your grace and mercy. Would you please help us grow in our trust in and obedience to you and your Son so that we might constructively fear you with awe and wonder when we sense your presence? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
Leave a Reply