Mountain Don't

Exodus 19

Three months have passed since our wanderers began their sojourn- and now they find themselves in the desert of Sinai- beside a large mountain. God calls to Moses and tells him to tell the people- "You have all witnessed what I did to Egypt- and you saw me put you on eagles' wings to get you out of there. So- if you'll keep all of My commandments you're going to be my treasured possession. You'll be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

Moses tells the people and they consent- we'll do it!

For some reason, God seems to doubt the people's trust in Moses, so He tells him- I'm going to come to you in a dense cloud- the people will see us talking directly and put their faith in you.

After Moses reported this news to the people, God tells him- now consecrate the people- have them wash their clothes and get ready. On the third day I'm coming down and they'll see Me. Moses is supposed to "put limits for the people around the mountain" and tell them not to go up the mountain or even touch the foot of it. In fact if you touch it, you die. Even animals will be killed if they touch it. The "put limits" thing is kind of odd- but maybe it simply means- rope off the mountain- make it obvious how close you can get before you're in danger.

And the whole death thing won't be a striking from God- the people are supposed to kill those who violate this rule. Only they won't be allowed to touch them. Their deaths will come from either stones or arrows. I don't know if they could touch the dead bodies afterwards.

When a ram's horn sounded a long blast, they could go up the mountain.

So Moses consecrated them. This is a verb I don't use often...or ever, but it seems to mean to set apart as holy. So basically, it seems like there was a ceremony of sorts where these folks committed themselves to serving God. They washed their clothes- and Moses told them to abstain from sex until the third day (when the big event was to take place).

So the big morning came with fanfare. There was thunder and lightning and a blasting trumpet. The whole camp trembled. Moses led them to the foot of the mountain where it was smokey- God had descended on the mountain in fire. The smoke billowed up "like smoke from a furnace"- and the mountain itself trembled. And Moses and God had a conversation in the presence of all the people.

God called Moses to the top of the mountain- and told him go down and tell them not to force their way up here- we don't want them to have to be killed. This is funny to me- God calls Moses to the top of the mountain- and the message is...go back down the mountain and tell the people not to come up here. OK God, but why didn't you have me tell them before I got all the way up here? You don't have a ski lift on this thing do you?

God says that even the priests who approach must be consecrated.

The logistics are fuzzy for me. It seems like God is saying- don't force your way up-wait for the ram's horn and you have to be consecrated. A horn blew- Moses consecrated the people...what's the issue?

And maybe Moses is a little confused too. God..they're not supposed to come up, right? You told us to put limits on the mountain. You don't really want them overturning the barricades do you?

God replies- go get Aaron and bring him up with you- but not the priests and the people (were the priests not people? :) ), if they force their way up, he will break out against them.

And Moses reports the news.

This is an odd section- and not just because the Lord refers to Himself in third person. It seems like God is taking a fairly simple proposition and making it really complicated. Why not just a loud voice from heaven for all to hear "You know that guy Moses? You should all listen to him."

Is God telling us that we need to do to prepare to be in His presence? Clean clothes and three days of abstinence before every church meeting? If God is always with us- our clothes should be perpetually clean?

I think maybe we get a glimpse into God's occasional desire for pageantry. I've always scoffed at that part of organized religion. Don't really need the robes, they're silly. Can we dispense with the showy? It doesn't seem too sincere. Do you really need to raise your hands when you sing? Are you doing that for my benefit or God's?

But maybe from time to time He likes us to make a big deal about approaching Him. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad choice once in a while to physically kneel when I pray. Maybe a fast here or there would please Him. Maybe a showy worship service for a special occasion, if done with the right heart and spirit would be a show not just for us, but for our creator too.

I don't know that any of that's mandated- but it's certainly not forbidden, or even discouraged. Here, God wants a big deal made about His presence. And yes, it's a different kind of "in His presence" than we experience on a regular basis, but how different I'm not sure.

Maybe on a smaller level this chapter can instill the glory of nature around us. Watch a lightning storm- you're in God's presence. If you can ignore the horror and fear of a fire- and see it's fascinating beauty- you can again see the wonder of our Lord.

And maybe these Israelites so close to God at this moment never viewed a thunderstorm the same way again.