Israel on Mount Sinai
Exodus 20:9-11: "When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, the Lord said to Moses, 'Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people."
The Lord was preparing the people for the giving of the Ten Commandments. In giving the nation of Israel these commandments, he was setting them apart from all the nations of the world. In keeping these commandments and the covenants, they would be his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation before the Lord (Exodus 19:5-6). What a special calling and honor!
As we will see, this calling and honor would come with specific instructions. The Lord provided laws to govern how they were to honor God and honor each other. There were laws of worship and there were laws for living in community. As God's holy nation, they were to look different from the other nations of the world.
As people in relationship with a holy God, there was a cleansing needed to come into his presence. Moses instructed the people in how to consecrate themselves for three days prior to coming to Mount Sinai. This cleansing was needed even to stand at the base of the mountain before God. As God continues to instruct that nation of Israel in the ways of holiness, we will see the sacrificial system practiced regularly in their worship. That sacrificial system would constantly remind the people that there was a payment needed for the covering of their sin.
Like the Israelites, we are called to live set apart from the world. We also sin and fall short of the glory of God, yet a perfect payment has been made for our sins. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, has taken all of our sins upon himself so that we can be saved, forgiven, and cleansed.
Reflection:
Do you recognize that you have been set apart for God's holy purposes? How do you live into that special calling and honor?
The Lord was preparing the people for the giving of the Ten Commandments. In giving the nation of Israel these commandments, he was setting them apart from all the nations of the world. In keeping these commandments and the covenants, they would be his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation before the Lord (Exodus 19:5-6). What a special calling and honor!
As we will see, this calling and honor would come with specific instructions. The Lord provided laws to govern how they were to honor God and honor each other. There were laws of worship and there were laws for living in community. As God's holy nation, they were to look different from the other nations of the world.
As people in relationship with a holy God, there was a cleansing needed to come into his presence. Moses instructed the people in how to consecrate themselves for three days prior to coming to Mount Sinai. This cleansing was needed even to stand at the base of the mountain before God. As God continues to instruct that nation of Israel in the ways of holiness, we will see the sacrificial system practiced regularly in their worship. That sacrificial system would constantly remind the people that there was a payment needed for the covering of their sin.
Like the Israelites, we are called to live set apart from the world. We also sin and fall short of the glory of God, yet a perfect payment has been made for our sins. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, has taken all of our sins upon himself so that we can be saved, forgiven, and cleansed.
Reflection:
Do you recognize that you have been set apart for God's holy purposes? How do you live into that special calling and honor?
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