WHEN GOD SHOWS UP HOW DO WE RESPOND? Do we avoid his presence or do we stay close to him?
Exodus 20:18-21 ESV [18] Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off [19] and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” [20] Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” [21] The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
What an amazing scene is before us. So amazed were the people that Moses descibes them as seeing thunder and hearing lightning! What they were experiencing was overwhelming. The Hebrew words used to describe their reaction to this are; shaking, quaking, trembling, and shook to and fro. They were terrified. Very afraid. God’s amazing presence being revealed to them on the mountain by thunder, lightning, trumpet, fire, smoke, and His voice heard coming out of it. The description stretches all languages. Almost Inexplicable. Moses is writing for us so we can appreciate the overwhelming sight that caused such great fear. And God designed it so. Holy fear motivates us to keep God’s commandments. He revealed himself this way to elicit this response. God has come to test you that the fear (holy reverence, awe) of him will motivate you to sin not. If anything is lacking in our lives it is this. So often we presume on God’s grace and mercy, but lest we forget he is also a consuming fire. Everytime God shows up in scripture the first reaction is fear. But, God doesn’t want us to run away. He wants us to stay in his presence. Even come closer. Jesus told Thomas “touch me, feel the scars in my hands and side.” John said we have handled the word of life. Moses doesn’t run away from God’s presence. He goes up the mountain! Oh that we would go up God’s mountain. Go up and abide in his presence! Holy reverence and a life of awe would motivate us to sin less. To keep His commandments with a heart of reverence and awe.
The people were pressing toward the mountain until God shows up and then they stood far off. As much as 12 miles away. Moses you speak to God and tell us what he said. How sad is this? I wonder how often we experience God only at church? Only hearing him when the preacher gives his sermon? Of course God allows this, but what an amazing experience they will miss. I want to be like Moses. Right in the smoke! Consumed by his presence. Glowing with his glory on my face. In order to get a more thorough picture of this scene, let’s examine Deuteronomy 5:4-5 ESV [4] The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire, [5] while I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord. For you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up into the mountain. [22] “These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and he added no more. And he wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. [23] And as soon as you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes, and your elders. [24] And you said, ‘Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live. [25] Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, we shall die. [26] For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? [27] Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say, and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.’ [28] “And the Lord heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the Lord said to me, ‘I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. [29] Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever! [30] Go and say to them, “Return to your tents.”
Let his greatness and his glory and his fire consume us! To be consumed by his awesome presence. The Psalmist said “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” One wonderful day I will see him face to face. One day I will be like him!