Exodus 20:18-26
“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:18-19)
In arid areas such as the Arab peninsula, it is not uncommon for severe thunderstorms to ignite a number of brush and forest fires. New Mexico and Arizona experience a lot of lightening caused fires. A natural thunderstorm would have caused little concern beyond moving down off the mountain. That the smoke was not several small columns, but involved most of the top of the mountain, the dense cloud, extreme lightening and thunder, and the very loud sound of a trumpet combined to make it obvious this was no ordinary thunderstorm. Fearing for their lives, the people asked Moses serve as their mediator and not to speak directly to God themselves. Sadly a lot of Christians today have a similar attitude.
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” (Exodus 20:20)
There was no reason to be afraid. God had no intention of doing anything but making them aware of his power so they would have respect for his commands. Godly fear is only fear of the consequences if we deliberately ignore God. The picture is again of a loving father, capable of administering swift and severe discipline, but will only do so when it is called for.
“And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” (Exodus 20:21)
Despite Moses reassurances, the people withdrew to what they thought was a safer distance. Moses, on the other hand drew nearer to the thick darkness where God was. Each person made their choice how close they wanted to be to God. It hasn’t changed.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.” (Exodus 20:22-23)
God then gave Moses greater detail about what was involved in keeping the Ten Commandments. Many of the religions around them worshipped an array of various gods of different powers and positions. Israel was not to set up any other gods alongside God himself, not even as lesser deities.
“An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” (Exodus 20:24-25)
Sacrifices were to be offered on a designated altar, not just burned on the ground. The altar could be comprised of a mound of dirt, or of stones, but it was to be of completely natural material. Any efforts to make the stones fit together better or look better would polute the altar making it unsuitable for use and any offering on unacceptable. The focus was to be wholly on God rather than on man.
“Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” (Exodus 20:26)
The altar was not to be built so tall as to require steps to get up to it. Since the men wore robes similar to the Arab robes of today, steps created the possibility seeing enough to distract from worship of God. Later, when the Tabernacle was built, underclothes were prescribed for the priests to further decrease the likelihood of exposing oneself in a way that drew attention away from God.
These guidelines raise serious questions about teachings and practices in modern churches. Many have pictures or statues of saints or famous preachers of the past. Others place a great deal of emphasis on the beautiful music or sermons and ornate buildings. Such emphasis may well detract from worshiping God, drawing attention to other things. For example, far more stress is focused on Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel that on the God those paintings are supposed to portray.
“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:18-19)
In arid areas such as the Arab peninsula, it is not uncommon for severe thunderstorms to ignite a number of brush and forest fires. New Mexico and Arizona experience a lot of lightening caused fires. A natural thunderstorm would have caused little concern beyond moving down off the mountain. That the smoke was not several small columns, but involved most of the top of the mountain, the dense cloud, extreme lightening and thunder, and the very loud sound of a trumpet combined to make it obvious this was no ordinary thunderstorm. Fearing for their lives, the people asked Moses serve as their mediator and not to speak directly to God themselves. Sadly a lot of Christians today have a similar attitude.
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” (Exodus 20:20)
There was no reason to be afraid. God had no intention of doing anything but making them aware of his power so they would have respect for his commands. Godly fear is only fear of the consequences if we deliberately ignore God. The picture is again of a loving father, capable of administering swift and severe discipline, but will only do so when it is called for.
“And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” (Exodus 20:21)
Despite Moses reassurances, the people withdrew to what they thought was a safer distance. Moses, on the other hand drew nearer to the thick darkness where God was. Each person made their choice how close they wanted to be to God. It hasn’t changed.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.” (Exodus 20:22-23)
God then gave Moses greater detail about what was involved in keeping the Ten Commandments. Many of the religions around them worshipped an array of various gods of different powers and positions. Israel was not to set up any other gods alongside God himself, not even as lesser deities.
“An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” (Exodus 20:24-25)
Sacrifices were to be offered on a designated altar, not just burned on the ground. The altar could be comprised of a mound of dirt, or of stones, but it was to be of completely natural material. Any efforts to make the stones fit together better or look better would polute the altar making it unsuitable for use and any offering on unacceptable. The focus was to be wholly on God rather than on man.
“Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” (Exodus 20:26)
The altar was not to be built so tall as to require steps to get up to it. Since the men wore robes similar to the Arab robes of today, steps created the possibility seeing enough to distract from worship of God. Later, when the Tabernacle was built, underclothes were prescribed for the priests to further decrease the likelihood of exposing oneself in a way that drew attention away from God.
These guidelines raise serious questions about teachings and practices in modern churches. Many have pictures or statues of saints or famous preachers of the past. Others place a great deal of emphasis on the beautiful music or sermons and ornate buildings. Such emphasis may well detract from worshiping God, drawing attention to other things. For example, far more stress is focused on Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel that on the God those paintings are supposed to portray.
Excellent post! Churches lose their focus and purpose when they emphasize entertainment, physical comforts, and giveaways instead of preaching the Word and keeping the focus on Jesus. Similarly, the purpose of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not self-glorification or even calling attention to Himself, but to draw all eyes to Jesus.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Laurie