Are You Ready?

Exodus 19:10–15 (NASB95)

10 The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; 11 and let them 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. 12 “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 ‘No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

One of the most important questions to ask or be asked in this life is “Are You Ready?”. For 2022, if the Lord says the same, I will teach, encourage, and warn us under the theme “Are You Ready?” Readiness is a state of preparedness for future needs or events, whether predictable or uncertain. And as a disciple of Jesus the Christ, readiness is a vital principle for our lives. Thus, I plan to address a number of topics that absolutely demand a disciple of Christ’s readiness.

To start, we are studying from Exodus 19:9-15. My intent is to encourage a general mind of readiness from the concepts in this passage, as well as the specific readiness that GOD expects in this passage. What that means is that I’m going to explain the specific readiness, and show us some general concepts of readiness in the same passage.

Demands that we:

Get Prepared

Israel had been 2-months free from Egypt and arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. This is a crucial moment in their Exodus, because GOD issues his covenant and the terms for his agreement to be Israel’s GOD. The people agree. But GOD wants things solidified in the hearts of Israel, because prior to this, they had been giving Moses the blues every mile of the way. So GOD instructs Moses to spend two days getting their minds and bodies set for holiness.

Application: Generally, if we’re going to answer the question “Are You Ready” in the affirmative, we’ve gotta spend the necessary time getting prepared. It takes an arrangement of actions, in order to be ready. The great thing, is that GOD allows us the appropriate time to get ready too. He gave them two full days.

Put Away Distractions

Now we are not told all the specifics as to how they were to get ready. However the two actions GOD does mention gives enough to know what it entailed. Moses was to consecrate them, which means to make holy or getting them in a condition that was acceptable to be close to GOD. Washing their garments didn’t mean that dirty clothes was a sin or real issue, it was to be exemplary of cleaning their hearts and minds for preparation, 2 Co 7:1; James 4:7-9. So, this was about making their whole being ready in holiness, free of daily hustle and grind, sin, distractions, and anything objectionable.

Example: I can remember me and my brother playing playstation almost until the last minute before we had to go somewhere. Completely Distracted!!

Application: Getting prepared necessitates removing anything that will distract your attention.

Know the Occasion

GOD says “make sure they are ready!!” Well the natural response to the question “Are you ready”, is “for what?” GOD says “for the third day”. Hmm. Well that tells me when. The natural question in response to that is “What’s happening on the third day?” A grand Theophany. See a Theophany is a visible manifestation or appearance of GOD to humans. So, this is GOD coming down to manifest his presence to all of Israel. That is the occasion.

Including Time & Purpose

There are two important aspects to understand about an occasion: Number one is time. Number two is purpose. What’s the time of this occasion? The third day. What’s the purpose? Look back at verse 9, it is so all Israel may HEAR when GOD speaks with Moses and believe in Moses going forward.

Application: Another requisite to affirmatively answering the question “Are You Ready”, is knowing the occasion. That is, what’s happening! And we all know that time or a lack thereof is a driver for readiness. Also, a lot of us ain’t busting a move unless we know why. See GOD ain’t expecting folk to get ready on the third day, he wants folk already ready. That is the mind of readiness in light of the occasion. Notice too, that GOD isn’t expecting readiness without communication.

Know the Significance

Then lastly, as with so many encounters with GOD, he prohibits certain behaviors from humanity. Nobody can just rush up on the mountain or even contact the bottom rocks. Understand too that there are consequences if you do. Deadly consequences. I asked myself, why would GOD give such a harsh consequence for excitement in seeing him. Then it hit me, GOD ain’t human and humans can’t expect to deal with GOD all loosely. His nature demands nothing but the utmost respect and reverence from all creation!!!

Example: You know there are a number of events that some of us don’t mind showing up fashionably late to, you know like one of your friends kids birthday party in their backyard. But when it comes to your own wedding. A meeting with executives. Not the same.

Thus the significance of who and what you’re dealing with is a major factor!

Application: So if I’m going to properly answer the question “Are you ready”, it means I recognize and fully respect the significance of the occasion.

Demands Vigilance

Application: And when you know the significance, it will demand your vigilance or thorough awareness. Look again at verse 12, it says “Beware”. You can’t be ready without proper vigilance.