Exodus 19:1-13 On the third new moon after the people of
Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the
wilderness of Sinai. (2) They set out from Rephidim and came into the
wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped
before the mountain, (3) while Moses went up to God. The LORD called
to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of
Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
(4) You yourselves have seen what
I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to
myself. (5) Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my
voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all
peoples, for all the earth is mine;
(6) and you shall be to me a
kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak
to the people of Israel." (7) So Moses came and called the elders of the
people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded
him. (8)
All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has
spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the
LORD. (9) 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, (10) the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the
people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their
garments (11) 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. (12) 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. (13)
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."
Exodus 19 sets the scene for the giving of the Ten Commandments, the
Law, instructions about the priesthood, sacrificial system and the tabernacle.
This is a key moment in the history of Israel, a moment whereby they become
more and more a true nation, than merely a people group. At the present moment
they have no land, no legal system and no established worship system. They are
on route to the land that shall become their own, and God is about to give them
the Law and system of worship that will define, regulate and control their
country and their lives from this moment forward. This chapter sets the scene
for all this and God’s words to Moses emphasises a number of points, points
that show how unique Israel is in comparison to the nations around them, and
points that should have caused the Israelites to rejoice in their God and what
He had done and given to them.
Firstly, Israel are reminded how it is that they find themselves freed
from slavery and enjoying the great favour and blessing of God. It has come to
them through God’s sovereign power and working, they have not achieved,
accomplished or earned it, God and God alone has performed it. God’s power is
especially made evident in the imagery given, “I bore you on eagles' wings”. The people of Israel were large in
number and possession, yet they were plucked up by God and carried safely out.
Secondly, Israel are reminded about the purpose for which God did
this. God has rescued the people of Israel and in doing so He has made them His
own people. He rescued them so as to bring them to Himself. He has chosen Israel
to be the people through whom He will accomplish His sovereign purposes, plans
and the work of redemption. Therefore they have been rescued not so as to now
live and do as they please, but in order that they might serve, live for and do
the will of the God who saved them.
Thirdly, Israel are reminded about the holiness of God, and the
holiness and obedience that God shall require of them as His people. The strict
instructions given to the people, to consecrate themselves and to not touch or
come near the mountain, help them to understand the holiness of God.
Furthermore because God is holy, the law and all that He shall give and
instruct them is also holy. The nations around them governed their land by
means of their own man-made laws, a measure of which is God-given by virtue of
the fact that we are created in God’s-image, but Israel is the only nation to
have ever been given their entire law by God Himself, written by the finger of
God! If the Israelites took time to consider this, the holiness of God, the uniqueness
of the law that was given to them, they would have then understood that God
required the same of them, they must be holy as He is holy, they need to show
that they are the people of God, by the way in which they serve, worship and
obey God.
These three points, and there are many more that could be mentioned,
serve to show just how important this event was in the life of these people and
this nation. In fact it is an event that still defines the history of Israel to
this very day, an event that they continue to look back upon as they remind
themselves of their uniqueness. But the main truth that they and indeed we,
need to learn from this, is the fact that God is our Saviour and our only hope
of salvation. God has given evidence of His power to save by rescuing them from
Egypt, but now through the giving of the Law and the tabernacle worship system,
God was showing His people and us that there is a greater problem. The Law
reveals our sin and our in ability to meet the demands of God’s holiness. The
tabernacle reveals that our sin has caused there to be a distance between us
and God, and it is only through sacrifice, through the shedding of blood and by
the work of a mediator that we can be brought near to God. However, both the
Law and the tabernacle worship system are insufficient to bring them lasting
peace and reconciliation with God, for they keep breaking God’s laws, and
therefore keep having to bring more sacrifices and plead for forgiveness.
Something, someone greater than the Law, the tabernacle and the sacrificial
system is needed. Thus we see how the ultimate and chief purpose of this event
is to point all of us to our need of Christ, who is greater than the Law and
the tabernacle, who is a better priest and mediator than any other, and who is
therefore the only one who can truly save us and bring us to God.
Glorious and gracious God we thank You
that we are able to see Your sovereign plan and purpose throughout Scripture.
We thank You for the many ways in which You reveal to us our great weaknesses,
but then show us the sufficiency of Christ to save us from our sin. Thank You
that You show us our sin, as if You never revealed our sin to us, we would
never seek after Your salvation. We praise You that You never reveal our sin
and then leave us to perish in it, but in Your grace You then point us to Jesus
so that we might see our need of Him and find our salvation in Him. Thank You
that through Christ You have brought us back to Yourself and we have the joy of
knowing that we are Your people, who will live with You one day in Your kingdom
of glory. We praise Your great name. Amen
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