Scripture: And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.”
When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD, the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to look and many of them perish. Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.” And Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.'” And the LORD said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them.” So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Exodus 19:9-25 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, Moses ascends Sinai to obtain instructions from Yahweh on the conditions for Israel to receive the Ten Commandments, which, when obeyed, will guide and guard Israel under Yahweh’s continued care. Accordingly, Moses must recount to the people how their God fiercely defeated the Egyptians and carried them to safety on this mountain like an eagle aggressively wards off predators and bears its young on its wings. Moreover, Israel is Yahweh’s treasured possession among all the peoples, and the whole earth belongs to Yahweh. Thus, since the Lord is like no other gods, his chosen people must set themselves apart as his “holy nation” to serve him as a “kingdom of priests.”
So, Moses beelines the base camp without delay to gather the elders and relay God’s words to the people. In response, Israel, with one voice, wholeheartedly agrees to obey Yahweh’s commands. Moses then promptly returns to the Lord and conveys their commitment.
Today’s reading continues this first leg of the wilderness journey at Mount Sinai. Yahweh informs Moses he will draw near him, shrouded in a dense cloud within hearing distance of the people to spur their belief in Moses as his chosen leader. After Moses relays these words to Israel, Yahweh instructs Moses to consecrate the people (by cleansing their garments and refraining from sexual activity) so they may draw near to him on the third day. Meanwhile, Yahweh warns Israel three times via Moses not to approach their holy Lord presumptuously until the trumpet blasts. Even then, they or any of their livestock must not go onto or even touch this sacred mountain lest they face the death sentence by stoning or shooting.
On the third morning, this sacred ceremony begins with shock and awe: thunderous lightning and a trumpet blast usher the presence of God in a thick cloud. Moses then leads a cowering nation to the foot of this fiery, smoke-covered, trembling mountain. As the trumpet sounds crescendo, Moses speaks to the Lord, who responds to Moses in a booming voice, commanding him to come to the top—upon which Moses obeys.
Once at the top, Yahweh instructs Moses to:
- Return to your people.
- Set limits for the people and priests around the mountain and consecrate it.
- Command the priests to consecrate themselves before approaching the Lord, lest they incur God’s wraith.
- Keep Israel away from the mountain lest they die.
- Return to the mountaintop with Aaron.
So Moses did as commanded.
Contextual note: God does not instruct Moses to consecrate the priests (Chapter 28) until Moses receives the Ten Commandments, laws regarding worship and civil matters, and the tabernacle’s construction plans. However, as noted in the above recap, Israel is commanded to be Yahweh’s kingdom of priests (v.6).
Takeaway: There are two. First, the cleaning of garments and refraining from sexual activity would remind Israel to devote themselves wholeheartedly to God. Second, the three trumpet blasts emphasize the importance of not presumptively drawing near their holy Creator, for while they are God’s chosen people, they are still sin-marred. Thus, as often depicted in the biblical narrative for all God’s people, they are reminded of the Lord’s sacred and all-powerful presence by shock and awe—whether it be at Mount Sinai (vv.7, 9, and 16), Calvary (Matthew 27:51-54), the empty tomb (Matthew 28:2-4), or the end of the age (Hebrews 12:18–19; Revelation 4:5; 8:5; 11:19).
Our takeaway? “While the overarching principle of approaching God with fear and reverence applies in this post-resurrection era, Christ has bridged the divide so that we may come as we are to our Savior’s throne of grace. No matter how far we stray, since Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins, we no longer need to clean ourselves up to draw near him. Indeed, as the author of Hebrews declares: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV).
Our part? Indeed, we have free access to our Father because his Son, the mediator of our New Covenant, paid the ultimate price of his life in exchange for our death sentence so that we might freely approach his holy Mount Zion, cleansed by his blood (Hebrews 12:22-24), and thus receive his mercy and grace to help us when we most need it (Hebrews 4:14-16). Still, we must not be cavalier when approaching this hallowed ground as the redeemed. As the author of Hebrews adds, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28 ESV).
Indeed, our free access should inspire us to lovingly and reverently worship the Father and Son with gratitude and then offer ourselves as living sacrifices in service to him (Romans 12:1).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to have free access to your presence through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Please help us remember the incalculable price paid that we might reverently avail worship, prayer, and your Word to draw near you, enjoy your presence, and then pay it forward by serving you for your glory. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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