relationships (Exodus 19:1-25) Respect Leadership

(Exodus 19:1-25) In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons 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 then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the 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 sons of Israel.”

7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.

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.”

16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with 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. 21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 Then the Lord said to him, “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break forth upon them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Salvation is the answer to Israel's calling.  in order to have their Abrahamic covenant fulfilled, they must be in perfect obedience.  How else to do that as a nation but to all become believers, in order to be truly consecrated, set apart and dedicated to the Lord.

We are all born into sin, and where there is sin, there is death.  Therefore, to go before the Lord without His redemption would mean death.  But here is the good news!  Verse 5 is a call to believe in the Lord and be saved spiritually!  It is a call to have a personal relationship with the heavenly Father to become children of God so that we might be able to approach the throne of grace - and live - eternally!  

From verse 9 we can see that the Lord WANTS us to hear Him speak!  So in our personal relationship with the Lord, we should want to know what He is telling us, which is all found in His word, the Bible.  Our hunger to read, study and know everything He says will let us understand how He cares about us and wants the best for us.  And to help us know and understand, God calls people to step up and lead His people.

We are then called to respect our spiritual leaders.  And a good church and leader will say, "Don't just take our word for it, read and know the Bible and see for yourselves."  When Moses went back to the Lord to tell Him what the people had said, God already knew, but Moses needed to know what God wanted him to do next.  This is how a relationship with the Lord works.  We can go to the Lord in prayer, and God communicates to us clearly through His word with the help and guidance of His Holy Spirit.

Now, Moses was more than just a preacher and spiritual leader that the people were to trust, he was a prophet.  God used Moses to relay His words to His people, as well as write down His words so that we could read, study and know them today.  Moses wrote down all these words - directly delivered by God, therefore we can and we are to trust in these words as they truly are God's words.