Exodus 19:7-13: a reflection

7Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8All the people answered together, and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD. 9The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to the LORD. 10The LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11and be ready for the third day; for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.”

As Israel prepares to meet God at Mount Sinai, the atmosphere is one of awe and holy fear. The people must consecrate themselves, wash their garments, and be ready for the third day, when God will descend on the mountain. And strict boundaries are set: no one may touch the mountain or go up onto it, on pain of death. The message is unmistakable: the God who is coming is holy, and he is not to be approached carelessly or casually.

Notice what all this preparation and boundary-setting taught. It impressed on the people the sheer holiness of God, the reverent awe with which he must be approached. This was not a casual meeting between equals; the people were being prepared to encounter the living, holy God, and everything, the consecration, the washing, the boundaries, underscored that he is holy and they were not to presume. Approaching God was a matter of profound reverence.

We live on the other side of the cross, invited to draw near to God with confidence through Christ, and that is a precious privilege. But Sinai guards us against a real danger: approaching God casually, carelessly, without reverence, as though he were not holy. The access we have in Christ was purchased at great cost and does not cancel God's holiness; it lets us draw near to a God who is still holy. Let the awe of Sinai temper our familiarity. Come to God, through Christ, with confidence, yes, but also with reverence, remembering that the one who welcomes you near is the holy God of the mountain.

Lord, at Sinai you taught your people the awe and reverence with which you must be approached, for you are holy. Thank you that through Christ I may now draw near with confidence. But keep me from a careless, casual familiarity that forgets your holiness. Let the awe of Sinai temper my approach, so that I come to you with both confidence and reverence, remembering that the one who welcomes me near is the holy God. Teach me to hold both.