A Called Out People

Note: General outline adapted from James Smith, The Pentateuch, p. 300-301

-(vs. 1-2) Rephidim is about 10 miles from Mt. Sinai. It took them 3 months (3 new moons, ESV) to arrive at Sinai’s wilderness. They remained at Sinai for about a year as Moses received the Law (Numbers 10:11)

I. A Message of Challenge (vs. 3-8)

A. God gave Moses a challenge for Israel (vs. 3-6)

1. First, God reminded them of His power, provision, and patience (vs. 3-4)

a. He was powerful to save them from Egypt’s might, the best the world had to offer

b. He provided victory and manna for them in the wilderness

c. He was patient, calling them for Himself even though they complained and sinned against Him

2. Second, the Lord issued conditions for Israel (vs. 5)

a. There is a small but pertinent word “if”

b. If Israel would obey God’s voice and keep (maintain) the covenant then God will continue to keep His promise

3. Third, God is faithful in keeping His promises (vs. 5b-6)

a. Israel was already God’s own possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation

b. But they would not continue in that if they abandoned God’s voice and covenant

c. God called Israel for a special relationship and purpose in Himself, it was up to them to either accept or decline

B. The people chose to accept (vs. 7-8)

1. They said “I do” to the Lord’s covenant and commited themselves to obeying His voice

2. Thus, Moses took their response back to the Lord as their mediator

C. This passage has a beautiful parallel for Christians in 1 Peter 2:9-12

1. Israel was God’s possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. Now, those promises belong to Christians

2. If we come to Christ by faith we are made God’s people, able to worship, set apart from the world as a light for the world to find salvation in Jesus

3. Therefore, we no longer follow the ways of the world, but as God’s people we live holy lives in excellent behavior. That all may glorify God on the day of Christ’s return

II. A Message of Consecration (vs. 9-15)

A. Yahweh was going to descend to His people, but He needed them purified (vs. 9-11)

1. God is Holy and Righteous. When confronted with sin His holiness turns to wrath, bringing about justice for wrongdoing. Thus, in order to make a covenant with Israel they must purify themselves that they might be set apart from sin to God

2. God’s descent into a pillar of cloud was a familiar sight, everyone would recognize God’s authority and presence as their Leader

a. The people would need to be cleansed if they were to draw close enough to hear the Lord’s voice. He would declare Moses as their chosen leader

b. God spoke directly to Moses as His chosen prophet and Moses would bring Israel up to the Lord. Moses’ words became the standard for God’s people

1. Jesus recognized Moses as speaking from God (Luke 16:31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ””)

2. Jesus Himself filled the role of Mediator to a greater degree than Moses, being a prophet like him (Acts 3:19-26)

B. The people could not approach God until they were fully consecrated (vs. 12-15)

1. God was descending on the mountain and the people had to be cleansed from sin, set apart as sacred, and totally focused on God

a. Their purification was symbolized by washing their clothes (vs. 10), restricting their movements (vs. 12), and abstaining from sex (vs. 15)

b. This showed their devotion to Yahweh by obeying His voice. The result would be a cleansing from the Lord and a covenant that made them His own possession

2. They waited eagerly for the third day, following Moses’ instructions to the letter

C. God must be approached on His terms

1. We gave up the right to negotiate our relationship with God because we rebelled against Him, sinning against our Creator

2. God gives the way to be restored to a united relationship with Him. It may not always make sense to us to do what He says, but we obey by faith and He honors His promises

3. Now, Jesus is the way, truth, and life. Following Jesus by faith is what causes us to be part of God’s covenant where we are adopted children of God

III. A Message of Caution (vs. 16-25)

A. God called the people to Himself and revealed a portion of His glory (vs. 16-19)

1. There were 5 signs that accompanied God’s presence that day:

a. Thunder and lightning

b. A thick cloud

c. A very loud trumpet

d. Fire and smoke

e. An earthquake

2. Yahweh’s descent upon the mountain showed His awesome power. It got the attention of the Israelites and pointed to the importance of Moses for when he spoke to God there was a response

3. At the inception of the covenant with Israel there was a violent earthquake

a. And again, a violent earthquake take place at the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:2). When God made a new covenant with His people it was kicked off by an earthquake

b. Revelation depicts an earthquake at the Second Coming of Jesus. The start of a new relationship with God, when death is abolished

B. God gave Moses a warning for the people of Israel (vs. 20-25)

1. The Lord called Moses up the mountain to send him back down to prevent the people from approaching God irreverently

a. Not just anyone can approach God on their own merit

b. God specifically set apart Moses and Aaron to stand in the midst of His presence and the priests to a lesser extant

c. But the average Israelite was to remain at a distance and let the designated individuals be the bridge between them and God

2. The people who could approach God needed to be cleansed properly and called by the Lord to draw near

a. There are boundaries set between man and God. The only way to enter His presence is through His boundary. Today, that boundary is Jesus (John 14:6)

b. God extended His hand and tested the people with the command for self-control. They listened to His voice and were able to enjoy the covenant that God was about to establish

C. God has given mankind a specific way to approach Him in relationship and worship

1. Today, both the relationship and worship is in Jesus

a. We have been cleansed properly by Christ, made a royal priesthood, and have been called to the Father by the gospel

b. It is our duty to worship according to the voice of the Lord via Jesus, who is in the presence of God now and forevermore

2. Now we are a kingdom of priests, showing the world what it means to follow Jesus and worship the One, True, Living God

Application/Conclusion

Being a called out people means obeying God’s voice and keeping the covenant. We are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own possession. Our privilege is worshiping God with Him as our Father, all because Jesus is our Mediator; like Moses was for Israel, but Superior in every way.

God calls us to Himself, let’s approach with reverence by obeying His voice (the Word of God) and keeping His covenant (being faithful in Jesus).