God's Glory Reveled | Ex 19:1-25

Introduction

Open your Bibles to Exodus chapter 19

If you don’t have a bible of your own, please take the bible in front of you in the pews home. It’s our gift to you because we want the powerful, life changing word of God in your life.

So far in the story of the Exodus. God has seen His people’s oppression and delivered them from their bitter slavery. And on the way out of Egypt and into the promised land, He parted the sea for them to walk through, He conquered those who tried to harm Israel. He has led them through the wilderness and provided all they need to live. And He has made many promises.

But today, as they arrive at Mt Sinai, God makes them the best promise yet.

So let’s get into our scripture for today:

Text

Exodus 19:1–2 ESV

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,

they have arrived. they are not at the promised land. This is just a stop.

But it’s an important one. This mountain is very significant, because on the top of it, God will meet Moses many times to give Him instructions for the people.

Starting right now:

Exodus 19:3–6 ESV

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.”

God tells them, as always, to remember that He delivered them. He brought them out of Egypt. He is like an eagle, protective and fierce.

by the way, the house of Jacob means Israel. Israel and Jacob are the same person.

And as the fierce, powerful God of the world, God tells the people that they should obey Him as they live their lives. He is about to give them instructions, laws, and commands.

And if they keep these commands, He promises them something incredible.

they will not just be another nation, but they will be a very special one.

They will be God’s favorite. they will be the best. and they will go from a people with no identity but being slaves, to having a clear purpose and mission

And this is going to be the focus for today, but we are going to keep reading now and come back to it.

Exodus 19:7–8 ESV

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.

as you can see, the people are in agreement. They want to be God’s special people.

They commit to the laws and commands of God. They want what He has to give. They want to be what only He can make them.

And Moses say’s “good! God is coming in three days. Be ready”

Nt just emotionally, but they literaly need to prepare for when God comes:

Exodus 19:11–15 ESV

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.”

Where did all this come from?

We were having such a good conversation before all this “touch the mountain and you’ll die” stuff.

But this belongs here. Here’s what it means:

God is going to appear to His people. But He is not like the people. He is perfect, all powerful, and He is so glorious and has so much honor. He is different to anything r anyone they hve ever encountered. There is no one like Him.

If there is one word we can use to sum this up, it’s Holy.

Holy means distinct, or separate from the rest of the world. And it always refers to God or His people.

And God is very clear in communicating His holiness.

I’m not one of those fake Gods. So don’t approach me like one.

And as I dwell on this mountain, it is no longer just a mountain. It is not a jungle gym to be climbed. It is a holy mountain. Don’t even touch it.

And all of this is to protect the people and make them realize the healthy respect they should have for God. The bible calls it the fear of the Lord. And at first, it sounds terrifying, but then you start to realize that this fear, this respect, it a very good thing.

So, for now, the instructions are:

Don’t touch the mountain, wash and cleanse yourselves, and do not have relations with your wives.

that’s a topic for another day. But i do want to mention, this is not about sex being bad. it’s just part of a special preparation for ceremonial cleanliness. for celebrations and rituals.

And as three days passed, God arrives. And pay attention to how. In fire and smoke, shaking the earth. This is God’s presence of Glory. Just like the fire in the burning bush, or the pillars of fire and smoke that led the people through the wilderness. The almighty, glorious God of the world has shown up to this mountain. He’s here, and there is no mistaking it.

Exodus 19:16–25 ESV

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.

God is clear. Only my chosen prophet may come up. Aaron, his helper too.

But not even the priests may come up.

So over the next few weeks, Moses is going to go up to receive instructions from God and bring them back dow to the people.

And if you look to the next chapter, which we will start next week, you can see that this is all leading up to God giving the ten commandments to the people.

And as they belong to God and live like He commands, they will be transformed. they will be changed. They will become something new and incredible.

Application

The reason we skipped over the first part today is because it makes so much more sense after we read the whole chapter:

God is coming to His people and showing them all His power an holiness.

He is letting them know very clearly that there is no one like Him.

And as Israel become His people, they will also be holy. There will be no one like them.

They will act differently than the rest of the world. speak differently. Eat differently. look differently.

All so they will reflect the holiness of their God to the world around them.

“Yes, I am different, because my God is different”

Leviticus 19:2 ESV

“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

So God is now announcing that Israel, A people who had been treated as disposable slaves, with no worth, no identity, and no purpose, will now receive al of those from Him.

He tells them their worth is great. They are God’s treasured possession.

All the earth belongs to Him. And out of everything and everyone, He loves Israel the most.

This is their identity: They are loved by God. They are worth what God says they are.

Then, He gives them a purpose:

They will become a nation of priests.

A priest is a middle man between God and the people.

Israel has their official priests, just like we have pastors.

And still, every single one of God’s people is sent out into the world to show God’s goodness to the people around them.

Through them, the rest of the world will be blessed as they hear of Israel’s God.

He gives them an Identity:

You are a holy nation because you belong to God. You are set apart. You are mine.

And the same thing is true today. God is still doing these things for each and every one of His people.

As we are given faith, as we are baptized, God transforms us too.

We are loved by God. We are so treasured and so valuable that He gave His only son to die for us. So that our sin would be washed away and we could be in God’s presence without fear and trembling.

We are still a nation of priests. Jesus sends us out into the world to make disciples and teach them everything Jesus commanded.

We still are a Holy Nation, different than the rest of the world, whose words and actions reflect the goodness of our holy God.

Finally

Know your worth

You are worth what God says you are.

You are worth the blood of Jesus.

No one gets to take that away, not even you.

Whether you like yourself, or others do, or not. Whether you feel worthy or not. it doesn’t matter. You are worth what God says you are.

Know who your Identity

You are not who you used to be.

You are not a child of the devil, you are not a slave to sin. You are not a product of your environment

You are a child of God, and you are free because of Jesus

Live in that freedom Live like God’s child. Live in the forgiveness of Jesus and the laws of God.

Know your purpose

You are a little priest, whose purpose in life is to show and share the glory of God with those who haven’t seen it yet.

So that through you, they would know their worth too, and find their hope, and receive their purpose just like you.

Reading

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