69_Prepare to meet the Lord thy God

Exodus 19:1-12 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. 2 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.’

There is an ancient story about a beloved king who set out to tour the distant parts of his dominion. The realm buzzed with the news. Evildoers were terrified lest he punish their misdeeds. His loyal subjects were excited at the prospect of seeing their king at last. All alike prepared day and night for the momentous occasion when their sovereign would meet them.

This story mirrors what we see in Exodus 19, where God fulfills His promise to Moses and the Israelites. He brings them to Mount Sinai, where they would come face-to-face with the reality of His presence. This history brings us a powerful message about our relationship with God—a call to prepare our hearts, lives, and priorities to meet the Lord.

God had set His love upon the Israelites before they even knew Him. He remembered the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Enslaved in Egypt, the Israelites themselves had forgotten him. Many of them had been serving other gods. Yet God heard their cries, saw their affliction, and came down to deliver them. It was His initiative, His love, and His faithfulness that brought them out of bondage and into freedom.

Moses’ own life also reflected this divine initiative. From his birth and preservation to his calling in the wilderness of Midian, God’s hand was evident. Moses did not seek God; God sought Moses. He patiently revealed Himself, encouraged Moses, and equipped him to lead His people. God’s pursuit of those He calls is a repeated pattern in scripture, that testifies to His grace.

At Mount Sinai, God first reminded Israel of his love and grace. God declared, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (Exodus 19:4). The journey to this point had been nothing short of miraculous. God had displayed His unmatched power and might in Egypt, humbling Pharaoh and delivering His people with a strong hand. The plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision in the wilderness were not mere displays of divine power; they were acts of deep, unshakable love. God carried His people swiftly and securely, bringing them not just to a new place but to Himself. The imagery of an eagle’s wings speaks of God’s strength and tenderness, both in perfect balance in his character.

These words were not the commands of a harsh taskmaster. God did not want slaves; He redeemed them to make them His own.

Yet there was a condition: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” (Exodus 19:5). At first glance, this might seem like conditional love, but the context reveals otherwise. God’s love had already been demonstrated in their redemption and provision. They had nothing to do to earn his love. Yet they had to live by faith, as Abraham did, to continue to experience the security and blessing of his covenant. Obedience was the fruit of their faith, and the key to living in the fullness of His love and protection.

God’s commands are not burdensome; they are good and they are life-giving. Just as the Israelites’ obedience to God’s law would protect them from the deadening and corrupting influence of the nations around them, so it is with us. Obeying God in faith keeps us safe from the destructive effects of sin.

The scene at Mount Sinai was awe-inspiring. Thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and the increasingly loud blast of a trumpet filled the air. The mountain trembled violently as God descended in fire. The people were so overwhelmed that they begged Moses to speak to God on their behalf. Even Moses, the man who had spoken with God in the burning bush and seen His mighty acts in Egypt, trembled with fear.

However, this display of God’s majesty and power was not to intimidate his people, but to demonstrate his command over heaven and earth, and all the powers of nature. It was a reminder of who God is. But the story does not end with fear and trembling. As the cloud enveloped the mountain, Moses was called to ascend into it and meet with God. He spent 40 days and nights there, neither eating nor drinking, filled with the glorious presence of the glory of God.

In Christ, our position is far greater. We have been brought into a new covenant through his blood, one that fulfills the promises of the old. Hebrews 12 describes it in awe-inspiring terms: “For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Through Jesus Christ, we have access to God’s presence without the fear of judgment and with confidence in His grace.

This access, however, does not diminish the call to reverence and holiness. Hebrews 12 continues, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven? At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.”

First Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.” Holiness is not about rigid morality or rule-keeping; it is about abiding in God’s love by obeying his commandments. The cross is the strongest declaration of God’s desire to bring us to Himself. While we were still sinners and godless, Christ died for us. When we trust this love, we no longer strive for approval or fear rejection. Instead, his love leads us to serve God joyfully, not out of grudging obligation but out of gratitude.

Are we serving the Lord with reverence? Such awe is not about outward rituals of preparation, but about the posture of our hearts. Let us humbly recognize God’s love and grace in our lives. He has carried us out of sin on eagle’s wings, bringing us to himself. Let us respond to His love with obedience, for His commands are good. We must honour His covenant, not to earn His favor but because it expresses his love.
Let our lives proclaim His excellencies to a watching world, demonstrating that our God saves, sustains, and sanctifies.

The Israelites stood once at the foot of Mount Sinai, with trembling and fear. Through Christ, we stand constantly before his Father, the living God who loves us and has received us into his household. May we approach Him with reverence and awe, preparing our hearts to meet Him and to dwell in His presence forever. He is worthy of all our love, trust, and obedience. God bless you.