God Meets His Nation

God Meets His Nation Exodus 19:9-25 Context • God commands Israel to take a short journey to Sinai. • God’s presence (pillar of smoke and fire) and God’s provision (miraculous water and morning manna) continue daily. • In 19:1-9, God and Israel formally enter a covenant. • Now God is going to come down and meet His covenant people. • Four Points: (1) God Builds Anticipation; (2) God Demands Consecration; (3) God Creates Separation; (4) God Gives Revelation. God Builds Anticipation • God gave 2 days for preparation, which would have been frenetic (10). • Be Ready – “Get yourselves established” • Chapter 19 is the start of a longer story of God’s communication – see 20:18-21. • God commanded Israel to be ready for a long, loud trumpet blast given at an unknown moment. God Demands Consecration 1. Moses is to “consecrate” the people; the people respond by washing and abstaining. 2. Washing of clothes: required national urgency, coordination, and determination. 3. Abstinence from marital intimacy – (1) God desired to heighten the importance of the upcoming event; (2) God is communicated ownership of our most private actions God Creates Separation 1. Physical barrier between the people and God – unsure exactly how this boundary was created (12). 2. God repeats the command the command to Moses (21-25). 3. Capital punishment for offenders; spatial distance even from those who offend (12b-13). 4. Even in appearing, God shrouds Himself behind a thick cloud and dense smoke (18) thus communicating God’s utter transcendence. God Grants Revelation 1. The LORD called out to Moses – Moses would forevermore be the intercessor for the people (9) 2. The LORD summoned Aaron and other priests, foreshadowing much of the Law’s priestly code (2425). 3. Once Moses went to the top of the mountain, God began to unveil His law (20:1ff) Application for Moms on Mother’s Day • Moms often bear the brunt of family consecration – let the great worth of God help you through the challenges of motherhood and faith (Philippians 3:8). • Consecration correctly orients our moms’ relationships to God – by grace God owns the mom and the child (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Moms bear a great responsibility to teach their children “acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).