When God Came Down

Introduction

Today we reach Israel’s first major destination - Mt. Sinai. We have made some small stops along the way, but today Israel arrives at an important place for an important moment!

Today we read about a historical moment of God over the universe, coming down from heaven. We see all through out the Bible of God communicating with His people, but there are only a few times in Scripture where Jesus steps down from heaven. Before we get to this important moment, lets Set the Scene!

Set the Scene (1-2)

Exodus 19:1–2 “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. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain,”

Your Bible probably share the phases of the moon. Does anyone know why this is included? TIMELINE

Does anyone know how many months it has been since the Israelites left Egypt? 3 MONTHS

Their move to the base of Mt Sinai has some interesting points. What were people know to complain about? WATER. At the base of Mt. Sinai, water would have likely flowed from it. God provided where He led them. That is a sermon in itself - where God leads you He will provide for you!

In setting the scene, you need to know this is a familiar place for Moses. Take note of this passage - Exodus 3:1–6 “Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”

The same set of mountains where Moses tended sheep is the same set he brought God’s people (sheep) at this moment. We will shortly see God show up in a similar way. He is not showing up with a burning bush, but a burning moment! If you follow the voice of the Lord, you will continually be amazed at how God shows up.

God’s Summary Calls for a Covenant (3-6)

Exodus 19:3–6 “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: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 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; 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.””

Everything you read in these four verses, God has shown Israel or already told them. The delivery of this message makes it a special moment. These following words in Exodus 19:3-6 are referred to as the “Heart for the Old Testament.”

You saw what I did to the Egyptians --- God first reminds them of His strength and judgement. He destroyed an entire army with water. We hear of armies attacked by missiles, guns, bombs. No sword, spear, or weapon was drawn. Only the crashing of water controlled by almighty God. Reminder of His strength and judgement. Through this moment, God brought His people out!

Mount up on wings like eagles wings to myself --- the imagery of an eagle it is exactly what we have seen in the preceding chapters. God had not only brought his people up. He had cared for them, guarded them, caught them on his pinions, guided them and provided for them. Listen to what the Bible says about eagles Deuteronomy 32:9–11 “But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions,” God picked up His people when they were hungry, thirsty, in battle. God lifted His people.

Obey my voice/keep my commandments - you shall be my treasured possession --- This is a simple covenant with a deep call! This is call is not new to Israel but it does bring them to moment of action. Understand that God was not just about getting Israel out of Egypt; it was about getting Israel close to Him. Part of drawing them closer was obeying the commandments. This is a sneak peak of what God is going to give Moses in chapter 20.

This summary that called for a covenant was not new info or new standards. Look at verse 4 “You yourselves have seen...” --- The covenant was built upon what God showed them.

What have you seen God do? I know God has revealed Himself to you. He has in this very moment. God do essentially the same things that he did in the days of Moses, because Israel’s salvation is the pattern for salvation in Jesus Christ. First God delivered us from our bondage to sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ever since then he has carried us on eagles’ wings. He provides whatever we need, and whenever we are in danger of falling, he catches us and lifts us back up. All the while God is pulling us into the embrace of his love. God has brought us out, and now he is lifting us up and drawing us close, so that we will always be sure of his love.

The Returning Responses (7-9)

Exodus 19:7–9 “So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 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. 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,”

Once Moses brought the message to the elders, we see that the people responded. Notice that it was not the elders who responded but ALL THE PEOPLE answered. In the previous chapter, Jethro suggested Moses pick out some leaders to help communicate with the people. When groups grow larger, leaders are necessary to keep moving forward. Without these leaders, it would have been very difficult for all of the people to receive the message from Moses.

Once the people responded, Moses “reported the word of the people to the LORD.” Was it necessary for the message to come from Moses to hear this? Of course not! Rather, the formality of the process kept the people reminded that they were not dealing only with their elders or Moses or both but with the universe’s only God.

Different periods of church history have emphasized God’s transcendance - “distance from His creatures because of His holiness.” At different points in history, people have viewed this distance in different ways. Think of the large cathedrals that have the tall ceilings. Some would have paintings of God at the highest point. This was a result because they viewed God in awe and wonder. Their view of God’s transcendance led them to thinking of God being distant. You have possibly heard in the past decade where our generation views God on a more personal level. You hear in how we pray and address God. This phrase which is often used in Christian memes, is also spoken by Christians in this generation. They will pray “daddy God.”

Understand neither of these views are wrong, but a healthy Christian life will incorporate both in their life. The truth is that God is both transcendent and immanent. He is exalted above all that he has made. At the same time he is intimately involved with everything that happens in his universe. Both of these things are true about God. The trouble is that the church usually tends to emphasize one at the expense of the other.

The last observation I want to share before closing - is God’s response to Moses.

I AM COMING TO YOU THAT THE PEOPLE MAY HEAR WHEN I SPEAK WITH YOU.

When God comes down, He will be heard and He will be seen.

continue to closing

Middle Closing

When we come back on Wednesday, we will read about “When God Came Down.” As we close, don’t pack your Bible and notebook yet. Let me share that it is important when Jesus comes down.

The next time Jesus comes down will be to call His children to their eternal home

The time before that was when Jesus came down in the form of a little baby

Christ came down on Mt. Sinai to Moses, which we will study in 2 weeks

The first time Christ came down was in the garden with Adam and Eve.

Be Ready for the 3rd Day (10-15)

The Third Day (16-20)

God’s Eternal Warning (21-25