Israel Comes to the Mountain
Introduction:
It took Israel three months to reach Mt. Sinai. (Exodus
19:1-2)
They had witnessed God deliver them out of Egypt; they had
seen the ten plagues; they saw the Red Sea parted; they had
bitter water turned into sweet; and bread rained down from
heaven during that three months. The nation encamped here
for about eleven months. (Numbers
10)
This account points back to what God said in
Exodus 3:12.
Jehovah reminded the people of His great care for them. (Exodus
19:3-4)
Eagles’ wings denote strength and power. (Deuteronomy
32:10-12)
Three very important things are revealed while Israel is
encamped at Mt. Sinai.
Text:
Exodus 19:1-25
Body:
I.
God’s Plan for Israel
(Verses
5-9)
·
God’s plan had two conditions: “obey” and “keep” (Verses
5-6)
(Deuteronomy
7:11-12)
·
God’s promise to His “treasured possession” was of great
value to Jehovah. (Deuteronomy
7:6)
He had a special plan for Israel. Israel was a “kingdom of
priests.” They were to represent God to the people of the
earth. They were a “holy nation.” (Leviticus
20:26)
They were set apart for His purposes.
·
Peter used these terms to describe Christians. (I
Peter 2:9)
We are to be different from the world in our thinking and
doing. We have the privilege of serving God as priests. (I
Peter 2:5)
·
The people agree. (Verses
7-9)
The people reaffirmed their commitment later. (Exodus
24:3-4)
II.
God’s Plea for Preparation
(Verses
10-15)
·
Since God was going to appear to the people in a special
way, they needed to prepare. (Deuteronomy
33:2)
·
“Consecrate” (Leviticus
11:44-45)
Preparation meant separation and holiness. There was the
necessity of washing.
·
There was a need for limits. God set boundaries that were
not to be crossed. The penalty was death. This was true
even for animals.
·
There were limits put in place for sexual intimacy.
·
People have always needed boundaries; it is very important
not to cross them. (II
John 9-11)
·
Also, this teaches how critical it is for people to prepare
to meet God, both in worship and in eternity. (Amos
4:12)
Note the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins in
Matthew 25.
III.
God’s Presence on the Mountain
(Verses
16-25)
·
There was a dramatic presentation of God’s power and
glory. (Psalm
77:18)
·
Moses spoke and God thundered in answer. Moses went up and
God came down. (Nehemiah
9:13-14)
·
Only Moses and Aaron were invited up on the mountain.
·
God’s presence should produce awe and reverence. (Isaiah
6:1-5)
Invitation:
Under the New Covenant, God’s people come to a different
mountain. (Hebrews
12:18-25)
Bobby
Stafford
August
18, 2013