Exodus

Exodus 19: God brings Israel to Himself

Begin in prayer

Before the trumpet sounds over Sinai, let us come with reverence to the God who brought Israel to Himself. Ask Him to teach us the holiness of His presence and the mercy of Christ our mediator.

Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,

Psalm 114:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to honor Your holiness and receive Your word. Show us the Lord Jesus, whose blood brings sinners near. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Israel camps before Mount Sinai, where God tells Moses that He has brought the people to Himself. He promises a special covenant calling if they obey, and the people answer that they will do all He says. God commands preparation, washed clothes and a boundary around the mountain that no person or animal may cross without death. On the third day thunder, lightning, a loud trumpet and fire make the camp tremble and the mountain shake. Moses brings the people to meet God, then goes up when called. The LORD sends him down again to warn the people and priests against breaking through, and tells him to bring Aaron.

As you read Exodus 19, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The holy LORD brings His people to Himself and commands reverent obedience.

Israel reaches Sinai in the third month, fulfilling the sign God gave Moses at the bush. The LORD explains their rescue with the picture of an eagle carrying its young, bringing them to Himself. His gracious action comes before the covenant demand that they obey His voice. The whole earth belongs to Him, and He sets Israel apart to serve as a holy nation. Their answer promises obedience, yet their later conduct will reveal how much they need mercy. Washing clothes, abstaining from marital relations and keeping the boundary prepare them for God’s descent. Crossing the boundary brings death to a person or animal, and priests also need consecration. The thunder, trumpet, fire and shaking teach that the Redeemer’s holiness has never diminished. Hebrews leads believers from this mountain to Jesus, the mediator whose blood brings them near (Hebrews 12 verses 18 to 24).

How does Exodus 19 show us that the holy LORD brings His people to Himself and commands reverent obedience?

God rescues His people to bring them to Himself.

The eagle’s wings describe the care and power that carried Israel out of Egypt. God owns all the earth, yet chooses this people for His service. Their obedience must answer the rescue He has already accomplished.

God calls for a holy people who hear His voice.

If they obey Him and keep His covenant, they will be His possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The people agree to everything He commands. Peter uses the language of a holy nation for those God calls through Christ (1 Peter 2 verse 9).

God’s holiness makes careless approach deadly.

The boundary must hold even while fire and the trumpet draw their attention. A person or animal crossing it must die. Priests need consecration too, and Moses can come near only at God’s command.

Memorise

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself.

Exodus 19:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how have I approached God as though I do not need Christ?

God says He “brought you to myself.” Israel’s rescue has a destination beyond freedom from Pharaoh. Yet the boundary and the fire show that sinful people cannot make their own approach to the holy LORD.

Jesus brings His people near through the blood of the new covenant (Hebrews 12 verse 24). We deserve exclusion and judgment for our sin. Christ died for His people, bearing that judgment at the cross. He rose again with their rescue accomplished once for all. His sacrifice is enough to give guilty people peace with God.

Come by the way God has appointed. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who relies on His blood receives forgiveness and may draw near through Him. The holiness that shook Sinai remains, and the Savior gives a certain welcome to those who believe.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God’s holiness makes careless approach deadly, and that Jesus died and rose to bring sinners near. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for bringing His people to Himself and making His holiness known, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”

John 14:21

Holy LORD, thank You for bringing Israel to Yourself. Please forgive the careless way we have treated Your presence and Your word. Turn us from sin and lead us to trust Jesus as our mediator. Teach us reverent worship and willing obedience in our daily life. Amen.