Discovering Who You Are

Text: Exodus 19:1-8

Exodus 19:1–8 KJV 1900

1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.

Introduction

Three months have passed since leaving Egypt and now by God’s power and Moses’ leadership, they have reached Mount Sinai (show picture). Let us think back to Moses earlier encounter with God and be reminded of a specific promise God gave Moses and ultimately to the children of Israel....

Exodus 3:12 “12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”

Any sliver of doubt was now extinguished. He had followed through with His promise and has now brought them to the mountain to worship Him.

1) Approaching God’s Mountain

A. Moses’ ascent

Imagine the thought pattern of these people as they pitch their tents at the foot of the rugged and rocky cliffs coming up out of the desert floor.

They will remain here throughout the remainder of this book.

Giving of God’s law

Building of the tabernacle

They meet the LIVING GOD!

It was by no mistake of God setting it up this way.

What part of nature could better guide Moses’ and the people’s heart to the grander, majesty and transcendence of ALMIGHTY GOD?

Psalm 36:6 “6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.”

This was not Moses’ first trek up this mountain.

Remember back to Exodus 3.

Moses’ first encounter with God at the burning bush.

It was God’s introduction to Moses as the great “I AM.”

Now, this is an encounter to discover who they now are in relation to their deliverance by God’s sovereign hand.

2) Acknowledging God’s Great Love

A. God’s hand on Egypt (v4)

God describes Him “bringing them out.”

He discredited and humiliated the god’s of Pharaoh by way of the ten plagues.

He drowned Pharaoh’s army.

This resulted in their escape from slavery.

B. God’s hand for Israel (v4)

God is describing Him “lifting them up.”

Think of the abilities of the eagle.....

They are a fierce bird of prey / their talons are razor sharp / they aim with precision from a great distance.

It also provides needed rescue.

Illustration: J.R.R. Tolkien “The Hobbit” / THE EAGLES, THE EAGLES ARE COMING.

Their wings provide comfort and protection.

Deut. 32:9-11 “9 For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, And in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, he instructed him, He kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, Fluttereth over her young, Spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, Beareth them on her wings:”

C. Israel’s glorifying purpose for God (v4)

God says, “brought you unto myself.”

So, ultimately, what is exodus all about?

Not just getting out of Egypt.

MAIN PURPOSE = for Israel to be brought close to God to worship Him in all His glorious majesty!

That is exactly what SALVATION is all about!

The greatness of our salvation is GOD HIMSELF and our fellowship with Him.

QUESTION FOR YOU.....

What has every one of us who are believers seen God do? THE VERY SAME THINGS!

Sovereign deliverance.

Sovereign provision.

Sovereign protection.

3) God’s Promise For The Future

Let us approach this mutual agreement with the understanding that these people had already been purchased through the passover blood.

They stand in the safeguard of the blood sacrifices until the LAMB OF GOD comes and fulfills the law.

Imagine if God was to reverse this!

God could have said, “Keep my covenant and then I will deliver you out of Egypt.”

They would have been DOOMED!!!

The order hear speaks to how God’s law works in the life of the Christian.

If the Testaments are to harmonize, they must follow the same order or justification and sanctification.

NOW, God tells Moses to describe the mutual agreement that will bring about an unbreakable promise of His love for them.

God’s promise — they would be a “peculiar treasure” and be a “kingdom of priests”

The people’s commitment — obedience to God’s revealed will. (mainly faith in God’s covenant promise)

Their ultimate salvation was secured. The keeping of God’s covenant would secure their enjoyment of the fullness of God’s blessings.

Quote: we cannot enjoy fellowship with God while we are rebelling against him.

Ryken, P. G., & Hughes, R. K. (2005). Exodus: saved for God’s glory (p. 497). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Due to the condition being “perfect obedience,” they were unable to remain faithful.

How often do you read where God pleaded with them?

Jer. 7:23 “23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”

Jer. 11:4, 7 “4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:” “7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.”

Due to sin, they never fulfilled their obligation.

They realized their need of grace more and more.

They looked and waited for a Savior who was able to keep God’s covenant.

Hebrews 9:15 “15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

Application

You and I are also covenant breakers!!!

Jesus has offered FULL OBEDIENCE to the Father on your behalf.

You might ask, “How could God’s covenant be unconditional to sinners like us?” Simply because Jesus kept ALL IT’S CONDITIONS.

We are IN CHRIST! Therefore, we too have kept the Father ‘s covenant!

ALL GLORY GOES TO GOD! His GRACE is most certainly AMAZING!!!

LISTEN, where God has done you great favor, you should desire to give Him REAL OBEDIENCE!