The Fearful Otherness of God

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Exodus 19:16-25

TO CHEW ON: "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain." Exodus 19:16,17

Who is the person you would most like to meet in the world?
Suppose you knew you were going to meet this person. What are some things you would do to get ready?

The day Moses and the people got to Mount Sinai in the Sinai Desert, God called Moses to meet with Him on the mountain. There He told Moses He Himself would come down and meet the people in three days. But first they had to get ready. They must wash their clothes and put a fence around the bottom of the mountain.

If you met the person you most wanted to meet, what are some of the things you might see?

limousine, flowers, police guards, red carpet, cheering fans, bands, parades
I wonder what the Israelites expected to see when they knew they would meet God. Perhaps they thought He might look like a fierce animal – a dragon or lion. Or perhaps they thought He would look like a royal king.

Finally it was the morning of the day God would appear. (Exodus 19:16-20)
1. What did the people hear?
2. What did they see?
3. How did they feel?

When God showed Himself, He was awesome, powerful and fearful. He was so bright, smoke had to shield His glory from their eyes. He was so holy, the people couldn’t touch the mountain where His presence rested or they would die (that's why God had told them to build a fence). And even so He had only shown a small part of who He was.

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Tags: worship Moses God’s presence God’s holiness Exodus