DAY 147 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE LAW

MOUNT SINAI WAS COVERED WITH SMOKE, BECAUSE THE LORD DESCENDED ON IT IN FIRE. THE SMOKE BILLOWED UP FROM IT LIKE SMOKE FROM A FURNACE, AND THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN TREMBLED VIOLENTLY.

EXODUS 19:18

Reading: Exodus 19: 16-20; Deuteronomy 5:4, 24; Hebrews 12: 18-29

Have you ever stood before a mountain that was covered in fire and smoke and shaking violently because the Lord was descending upon it?

Didn’t think so.

What an incredible theophany, appearance of God, the people He had rescued were now experiencing. Turns out, God had not only called Israel out of Egypt to rescue them from the kingdom of darkness and to give them His Law, He had called them out of slavery so that they could know Him. He wanted to reveal Himself to them. He wanted them to know Him – intimately.  

And yet…the sight was so terrifying that most were utterly afraid. We are so used to our gentle Lord who whispers to our hearts each day, we do not often see God as the consuming fire that the Israelites witnessed during the time that the Law was given. They heard God speak the summary of the Law, the Ten Commandments, from the fire on the mountain of thunder and lightning. They were so overwhelmed with this show of power that they asked Moses to rather speak to God for them, lest they die from the encounter.

God wants to reveal himself to you too. But don’t underestimate the One you serve. He is a consuming fire – a glorious God who reigns over all the earth and all He created. It is good to remember this, and not draw back as the Israelites did.

I love the way that C.S. Lewis describes Aslan, the lion that is a picture of Jesus.

"Safe?" said Mr Beaver (to Lucy) ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good.”

Prayer

Glorious God, You are so majestic in all the earth. Praise Your holy name! You alone are God. Thank You that I can run to You in every situation and every time of need.

For the family

Explain

Tell the story of how God gave the Law to the Israelites and discuss what it would have been like by comparing what a storm looks and sounds like with its lightning and thunder.

Engage

Watch this video The Book of Exodus Overview - Part 2 of 2 together.