God's Holiness Displayed (Ex 19)
Billy Milton - October 23, 2005
[PDF print version]
Last week we were indebted to Duncan for introducing to us the deeper meaning of the rod and the rock in ch17. For some of us this type of thinking, known as typology, is second nature. It’s how we were brought up to think of the OT. We could read nothing in the OT without seeing a ‘type’, or a picture, of Christ in it. In its extreme, that was not so helpful. However, equally unhelpful is today’s relative ignorance of the value of typology. It is quite legitimate to see in the Israelite’s wandering in the wilderness a picture, or a type, of the modern day church. Wandering aimlessly, often disobedient and frequently grumbling and hankering after Egypt (the world). And as Duncan spoke last week about the symbolism of the rod, the power of God, and the rock, a picture of Jesus, I was very moved to think that it wasn’t Moses who struck the rock; it was the rod who struck the rock. It was God who struck Jesus at Calvary. And the result? Out poured blessing for you and me. Thanks Duncan for both educating us and touching our hearts.
Today, after 3 months of wandering, the Israelites find themselves setting up camp in the shadow of Mount Sinai. For three days they will prepare themselves to commune with God. This will be at the same time both terrifying and yet comforting as God promises them that they will be his special people.
So, as we catch up with Moses and the children of Israel the people have been in the desert for about three months. Now in Exodus 19 they arrive at “the mountain.” (v2). They have arrived at the same place where Moses had first been called by God to go and bring the people out of Egypt. That is Mt. Sinai, or Mt. Horeb, probably two different names for the same place. It was here that God had promised in Exodus 3:12 “… I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Nothing is just random with God – not then and not now.
In Exodus 19:3, we find that Moses makes his first of many trips up the mountain. (We have a false impression from the movies that Moses made only one trip up the mountain to receive the law, but he was actually up and down this mountain, which was almost twice the height of Ben Nevis, quite a few times. Not bad for an old boy in his early 80’s!) On the mountain God tells him what he is to tell the children of Israel. Exodus 19:4, “‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”
First, he reminds the children of Israel what he has done for them, how he defeated the Egyptians and carried them, as it were on eagles wings. Its good to remember – we’ll be doing that in a couple of weeks time so that we don’t forget the sacrifice made by our forefathers in the great wars. It is good to remember. But, let me make it personal!
Do you remember? What do you remember?
~ Do you remember when you were trapped in Egypt?
~ Do you remember what it felt like to be trapped by your sin without a single thing you could do to be free?
~ Do you remember how you groaned and cried out in your captivity?
~ Do you remember when you looked at your life and saw only the agony and hopelessness of your situation?
~ Do you remember how you felt the very first day that God saved you and you stepped from darkness into life?
~ Do you remember a time when you stood with enemies on every side and the Red Sea lapping at your feet with nowhere to go? When you couldn’t go forward and you could not go back?
Maybe for you it wasn’t quite as dramatic as I’ve just stated it – but for some of you it was! But the point I’m making is that the Lord is saying, “Do you remember how I rescued you, how I made a way were there was no way? Do you remember?” Perhaps you need to take time out to recall what it was really like not to be a Christian – or perhaps you’ve been a Christian so long that you’ve just got used to it now? Time to do a Rev 2:4 and get back to your ‘first love’ moment.
Secondly, he tells them that he has set them aside for a special purpose. Exodus 19:5-6 says, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (6) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
He says that they are to be a holy nation, the word “holy” means to be set apart for a special purpose. A nation of people who are to show the difference that living in a relationship with God makes. They were to be a nation who would form a bridge between God and the other nations. This was not meant to exclude other nations but rather to show by their lives what God’s ideal for the nations was and that life is to be so attractive that the other nations will want to come and join them. So how were they to show they were different? By showing the other nations what it meant to be in a relationship with the living God. Today that is the job of the local church! That is our special purpose in this world. It’s a daunting task isn’t it? But what a privilege!
I remember when I was a wee boy an evangelist came to stay with us. His name was Robert Walker but I called him Uncle Robert. One day Uncle Robert went into a local ice cream shop and the lady serving commented that she hadn’t seen him around the area – was he just visiting? Uncle Robert replied that he was indeed just passing through. The assistant asked him what he did for a living and Uncle Robert drew himself up to his full 6ft 2” and said, “I’m an ambassador.” Well, before you could say, ‘Houses of Parliament’ this dear lady had rushed through the back shop yelling out to her husband, “Hey, Tommy. Get through here quick. There’s an ambassador in our shop!” I’m not sure how impressed they were when they were told that he was an ambassador for Christ. That in actual fact is our job today – ambassadors for our heavenly father. What pictures do people form of Jesus when they see us?
One of the most difficult aspects of Alpha is when the guests say, “Oh I know someone who calls themselves a Christian but they live a disgraceful life. They’re just hypocrites!” At that point I can only apologise and hope that they can accept that not everyone who claims to be a Christian allows it to make a real difference in their lives.
However, back to the story. In the fervour of the moment the children of Israel all cry out to God, and mean every word, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” (v6) The special people become the zealous people. But, if ever there was an un-kept promise then this is it. I’m sure they meant every word. I’m sure they left that place determined to never again grumble against God. I’m sure they were utterly determined to serve God with every fibre of their being. But history tells us that they failed miserably! Why? Because living with God is not about gathering great experiences, exciting as they are, nor is it about fantastic displays of discipline. No, and this is so important that I would like to tattoo onto each of your arms, living with God is about a relationship! And unless that relationship is maintained and nurtured the result is bound to be, bound to be, failure and a growing coolness and even coldness.
Only three days later according to v16, they assembled at the base of the mountain and suddenly the mountain is surrounded by cloud, there is thunder and lightning and a deafening blast of trumpets. And everyone trembles. Wouldn’t you? Calling Moses up into the mountain, God gave him the law (Ex. 20:1). Included in the law were the Ten Commandments, some-times called the Law of Moses.
As we will see the Ten Commandments are divided into two parts and, no surprises here – the first four commandments address man’s relationship to God. Over the next few months we will be following a series called 10 written by J John where we will unpack what it means to be in relationship with God and in relationship with each other. We will be studying a commandment a week and then discussing it with purpose written material by J John in our midweek home groups. If you want to get the best out of this upcoming series then please join a home group. To make this easier we are starting another home group on a Thursday night at Mike and Suzie James’ house (22 Westfield Road) or else join one of the existing groups that meets on Monday, Tuesday (x2) or Wednesday and if there is sufficient interest we will start another group as well. Please get into a small group and go along every week. Speak to me, or one of the house group leaders, at the end and sort this out today. It’s almost impossible to walk closely with God without the encouragement of our fellow believers and joining a midweek group is a great help in achieving this. I am a very busy person but I won’t miss my home group unless I’m out the country!
So, remember God is holy, God is awesome… but he wants to be in relationship with you. Tattoo that on your heart! Let’s begin to fulfill our special purpose of showing this town what it means to be in community with each other and in community with God.