Keep it Clean - How to be Holy - God who came down to deliever. ...Responding to God's Holiness.

G rated in an R rated world. Movies will intentionally put extra curse words and violence to make the rating higher.

God’s deliverance of his people from slavery was brought about by God’s Grace and faithfulness.

God’s purpose in delivering Israel from slavery was to bring her to himself.

…so that she might be his witness amoung the nations.

We obey because God has delivered us. (Exodus 19:1-8)

Exodus 19:1 ESV

1 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.

third moon - three months into their trip.

wilderness of Sinai - means thorns.

Exodus 19:2–6 ESV

2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 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: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 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; 6 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.”

before the mountain - my Sinai.

Moses went up to God.

You have seen - he reminds them how powerful he is, something they already knew.

Eagles wings -

brought you to myself. Indicating that God was waiting for them to get here. They stay there around 11 months.

V5

if - obey and keep my covenant, THEN - be my treasured possession among all peoples.

shall be a kingdom of priest a holy nation - if they obey.

We have a different covenant. 1 Peter 3

Exodus 19:7–8 ESV

7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 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.

Moses was the closest image of Christ in the Old Testament - He was the prophet and the priest. and king without the title.

One of the themes of Matthew and Hebrew is how Jesus is a better version of Moses.

Spoken we will do - no they won’t! - ever been there, big plans that fall flat.

We pursue holiness because God is holy. (Exodus 19:10-15)

Exodus 19:10–11 ESV

10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 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.

consecrate - make them pure (Satureday night baths??/if the president showed up)

Lord will come down - this has never happened before to any of them.

Exodus 19:12–13 ESV

12 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. 13 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.”

God was at a distance. Because the people were unclean. God cannot be approached on our standard. If they tried to, they would be shot.

Exodus 19:14–15 ESV

14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

Going near a women was not sinful, but it could make you ceremonial unclean???

God’s laws are for our protection, not punishment.- (Exodus 19:16-25)

Exodus 19:16–17 ESV

16 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. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

third day -

thunders and lightnings.

trumpet blast - 1 Thessalonians 4. Same thing we do for kings.

Exodus 19:18–20 ESV

18 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. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 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.

Exodus 19:21–25 ESV

21 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. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 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.’ ” 24 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.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

We behave holy because God already made us holy.

ILLUSTRATION - Trying to make yourself clean vs already being clean.

CONCLUSION:

Pentacost vs sinani connection. - same day. Rain language - everyone could hear and understand. Fire covering them.