With four boys it often feels like we descend upon establishments.
Sure, I believe them to be good boys but they are boys.
Toys-R-Us or Chucky Cheese? No problem.
Pottery Barn or Michaels? Not so much. These places invite disaster.
They are a minefield of horrors, filled with fascinating breakables.
Feel free to look but do not touch.
On Sinai, God’s presence literally descended upon the mountain.
Lighting, seismic tremors, and billowing smoke made it a sight to behold.
The customary trumpet blast signified that Israel's King had arrived.
This was not Oz. No mortal wizard was behind the curtain, pulling levers.
Indeed, God was present. And He invited Israel close but not too close.
Feel free to look but do not touch.
Meet and Greet with God. God had determined to bring Israel out of Egypt so that they might experience His character and person firsthand.1 Note Exodus 20:20:
Fear God. The sum purpose of Mount Sinai was for Israel to meet her God so that she would learn to fear Him: "Do not fear, for God has come to you to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin”
Often when defining the fear of God we rightly inject words such as ‘reverence’ and ‘awe’. A condition or posture of the heart that manifests submissive obedience to God’s will. We do not cower beneath a Tyrant’s hand but rather find comfort and rest in the benevolent care of our King.
A Healthy Tension. Living in the fear of God invites tension. On Sinai God vividly portrayed Himself as equally accessible and unapproachable. He was divinely present and personable yet dangerously distinct. In response, Israel was encouraged to draw near to the mountain and experience God but they dare not overlook the divine stipulations or defy the barrier. Feel free to look but do not touch.
Do I fear God? Instinctively I respond. Of course!
But in slowing down I began to try and think more concretely on the idea of fearing God. Am I more fearful or more flippant? In search of some markers, I turned to Proverbs and organized the verses into five indicators of whether or not we live in the fear of God. I encourage you to read through the questions, consider the verses, and allow the Spirit room to speak:
Toys-R-Us or Chucky Cheese? No problem.
Pottery Barn or Michaels? Not so much. These places invite disaster.
They are a minefield of horrors, filled with fascinating breakables.
Feel free to look but do not touch.
On Sinai, God’s presence literally descended upon the mountain.
Lighting, seismic tremors, and billowing smoke made it a sight to behold.
The customary trumpet blast signified that Israel's King had arrived.
This was not Oz. No mortal wizard was behind the curtain, pulling levers.
Indeed, God was present. And He invited Israel close but not too close.
Feel free to look but do not touch.
Whatever else could be said about Exodus 19-24, it’s essence involves Israel actually meeting their divine benefactor. The people are given the unique opportunity to both hear and see the One who redeemed them from Egypt (Exodus 19:9-20; Deuteronomy 5:24).Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to you to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin”
Fear God. The sum purpose of Mount Sinai was for Israel to meet her God so that she would learn to fear Him: "Do not fear, for God has come to you to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin”
Often when defining the fear of God we rightly inject words such as ‘reverence’ and ‘awe’. A condition or posture of the heart that manifests submissive obedience to God’s will. We do not cower beneath a Tyrant’s hand but rather find comfort and rest in the benevolent care of our King.
A Healthy Tension. Living in the fear of God invites tension. On Sinai God vividly portrayed Himself as equally accessible and unapproachable. He was divinely present and personable yet dangerously distinct. In response, Israel was encouraged to draw near to the mountain and experience God but they dare not overlook the divine stipulations or defy the barrier. Feel free to look but do not touch.
So it is with God. He is a loving Father yet He is
also a Consuming Fire2.
On one side there is immeasurable freedom in God’s family.
Freedom to rest in His tender mercies, freedom to approach God’s throne
with boldness, and freedom to trust that the Father is aware of every hair that
falls.
On the other there is a weighty charge amongst God’s
ranks. We are to be unwavering in our
duty. We are ambassadors of a kingdom
that is not our own. We are subordinates
in a battle in which we are not the Commander.
We are under the Almighty God and our service requires a strict regime of
obedience. We are slaves to righteousness. No questions asked. No excuses.
Fear or Flippancy?
Do I fear God? Instinctively I respond. Of course!
But in slowing down I began to try and think more concretely on the idea of fearing God. Am I more fearful or more flippant? In search of some markers, I turned to Proverbs and organized the verses into five indicators of whether or not we live in the fear of God. I encourage you to read through the questions, consider the verses, and allow the Spirit room to speak:
- Do I humbly receive sound words of biblical instruction or are my responses typified by defensiveness and dismissive skepticism? (Proverbs 1:7, 29; 2:1-5; 9:10; 15:33; 22:4)
- Do I humbly confess my sins to God and others or do I tolerate sin in my life, dismissing its presence and entertaining its perceived benefit? (Proverbs 8:13; 16:6)
- Do I exhibit a strong trust and rest in God such that those closest to me, my family, find comfort or am I unable to spiritually nurture and encourage those nearest to me? (Proverbs 14:26)
- Do I regularly experience a joyous, inner vitality or is my disposition defined by negativity, melancholy, and depression? (Proverbs 14:27; 19:23; 22:4)
- Do I persevere in contentment or am I overrun with unrest, greed, and envy? (Proverbs 15:16; 23:17)
Blessings
- The English word 'test' in 20:20 represents a Hebrew word who's bandwidth includes the idea of giving an experience or expanding one's capacity. Exodus 20:18-20 and Deuteronomy 5:24 build the contextual framework for the idea of God, at Sinai, manifesting himself to Israel so that they would have a greater understanding and capacity of God's person and nature. Certainly, God would formalize the people of Israel into nation through giving the Law (Exodus 19-24) and He would position Israel to actually receive His presence (Exodus 25-40), but these activities are birthed out of the God's effort to bring the people to Sinai so that would know something more of His person and character and thereby rightly worship Him as their King (Exodus 3:12).
- While Hebrews 12 draws clear lines of distinction between the Old Covenants and the New, there persists this reoccurring tension throughout the book. The 5 warning passages in Hebrews highlight the aforementioned tension of our faith (Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; 12:14-29). God offers grace through the gospel but He will not tolerate rebellion. If indeed we are His, there will be a growing ability to both experience the freedom of Christ and live out our duty before Him.
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