Exodus 19:9 – 14 “The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.”
And Moses relayed the words of the people to the LORD.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’
Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain. ”
When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. “Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”
For three months the Israelites have been following God through the wilderness as He has led them by a pillar of cloud by day and protected them by a pillar of fire at night. But now God is taking things up to a higher level; He is preparing to meet with Moses and to speak audibly in the presence of all the people, so that they will thoroughly understand that God is leading Moses.
What causes you to trust somebody? A very wise man once said that trust is something that is difficult to earn, but easy to lose, and once lost, is nearly impossible to regain. God knows that there are many Israelites who are still murmuring against Moses in the quiet of their tents. Until now, God and Moses have met privately, but now God wants to meet with Moses publicly so that people will fully understand how close Moses is to God. God knows there’s a lot of rough stuff that the Israelites are going to have to experience and He wants them to trust Moses implicitly.
In preparation for this meeting, God orders the people to wash their clothes and to allow Moses to consecrate them. What this consecration entails is not clear; however, it’s possible that Moses orders the people to get rid of their amulets and charms and to search their hearts for anything from which they need to repent. Moses adds that they should abstain from sex. Why? Moses wants the people to be focused on God and not on themselves.
God orders Moses to set up a boundary around the mountain so that curious onlookers do not rashly come too close. Anybody who tries to approach the mountain before the ram’s horn blows is to be stoned or killed with arrows; such a person is not to be touched, lest someone else become profaned by touching the offender.
Why all the preparations? When God met with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He disguised Himself or sent an angelic messenger. There was very little teaching as to how to relate to God or to approach God. But now God is following up on His promises in verses 5 – 6. “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ God is endeavoring to teach an entire nation how to be priests and holy. Such an undertaking is massive and demands major demonstrations of power. God is beginning by teaching the Israelites to fear and respect Him.
APPLICATION: Most of us are far too casual with God! We act as if God were some kind of strange comic figure, instead of who he really is, the Lord God, Ruler of the Universe. Someone has said that many people feel the Ten Commandments are only ten suggestions, to be obeyed or discarded at will. Years ago, J. B. Phillips wrote a book entitled Your God Is Too Small. Phillips was right! Most of us are not worshiping God; we are worshiping some little god we have created out of a few of God’s more appealing attributes. When God really shows up in our lives, we don’t recognize Him because we have never really known Him.
In preparation for the meeting on Mount Sinai, Moses consecrated the people. We don’t know what that consecration entailed; however, it’s likely that Moses warned the people to get rid of anything that reminded them of Egypt. Objects that could be burned would be burned. Cult objects that could not be burned must be buried out in the desert where it would be impossible to find them again. Children – and adults – who had been named for Egyptian gods might require new names. And people were to fix their minds on God and not on sex; something that is still a challenge today.
If you knew that God wanted to meet with you, what would you have to eliminate from your life? Guess what? God DOES want to meet with you! Ask yourself if there is anything that is hindering you from meeting with God. And then find a way to get rid of that object or to turn away from that practice.
PRAYER: Father God, we are no better than the Israelites! We have all kinds of stuff in our lives that makes it difficult or impossible to meet with you. And many times we have not worshiped you but have worshiped some pseudo – deity that we have dreamed up. Lord, please come in your strength and your power! Cleanse us! Help us to get rid of the things that are keeping us from really engaging with you and going forward with you. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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