Exodus 19:14-25 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Exodus 19:14-25. Let’s go!
Exodus 19:14-15 (NIV)
14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
On verses 14-15: In Exodus 19, there is a word that comes up repeatedly which we hardly use today in our daily conversation. It’s the word “consecrated” (see for example verses 10, 14 and 22). What does it mean to be “consecrated”? To be consecrated means to be set apart for a special, holy purpose.
Why would God require the people to consecrate themselves before meeting Him (Exodus 19:10, 22)? And why did God say that He would break out against the people if they approached Him without first being consecrated (v22, 24)? It’s because God is holy. By “holy” we mean morally perfect, without sin, completely righteous and pure in every way. God is so holy, so righteous, and so pure that anything with sin would perish in God’s presence.
That’s why the people had to consecrate themselves. They would wash their clothes and abstain from sexual relations, not because dirty clothes and sex are sinful in God’s eyes, but as a practical way to get the people to focus on seeking God with special intensity and getting ready to encounter Him.
How about us? How do we consecrate ourselves today? We can do that by setting aside times when we especially draw near to God through prayer, fasting, and confessing our sins. We can do that by having a view of God’s holiness and purpose for our lives in whatever we do.
But above all, to be consecrated is about believing in what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us. For only through the cross where Jesus died was God’s wrath against our sin satisfied. Jesus’ blood cleanses us of all our unrighteousness, and because of Jesus we can approach God without fear of being destroyed. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for us, He consecrates us, makes us holy and sets us apart for His special purposes. Because of Jesus, you are consecrated (set apart) for God!
Exodus 19:16-19 (NIV)
16 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.
17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently,
19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
On verses 16-19: On the third day, the LORD shows up with thunder, lighting, fire, and smoke, and His people respond with fear and trembling (v16). Compare this to the third day after Jesus’ death when Jesus rose again and appeared to His disciples. On that day the LORD showed up and His people respond with rejoicing and celebration. That’s how Jesus changes everything. Because Jesus rose again, we can rejoice and celebrate at God’s appearing rather than running and hiding in fear.
Exodus 19:20-25 (NIV)
20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up
21 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish.
22 Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”
23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.'”
24 The LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
On verses 20-25: The LORD told Moses to warn the people not to force their way through the barriers around the mountain to see the LORD. Otherwise they would perish. Similarly, many people today think they can enter heaven on their own terms, based on their own goodness. In this way, they’re trying to force their way to see the LORD, not realizing that because the LORD is holy, they will perish when God’s wrath breaks out against them.
What can we learn from this? Trying to force your way into heaven based on your own merit is a dead end. That’s why over and over God’s Word warns us not to try to force our way into heaven. Instead, respect the limits God has placed around His presence and realize that the only way into see the LORD is through the way God has provided, which is faith in Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…” (John 10:9)
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that on my own I can’t force myself into Your presence because You are holy. It’s only by the blood of Jesus that I become forgiven, consecrated (set apart) and fire-proof to see You in Your holiness. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
