How do you feel about rules?  There are some people who love rules and laws.  They help them to feel safe and secure and give them rails by which to go through life.  There are others who are not necessarily rule followers.  God leads His people out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land.  They stop at Mt. Sinai where God wants to give the people laws and rules to guide their life.  Ultimately these laws will show us all our need for God.  They keep the people safe, illustrate God’s holiness, and are rules to live by.  God wants the people to be clear who the rules are from so He intends for them to hear His voice as He speaks to Moses.  Let’s look at the passage together today.

Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” 7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said. 10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

There are even rules about how to wait to receive the rules.  God promises that Israel will be His people, His treasured possession if they simply follows His rules for them and keep His covenant.  They have seen God do such amazing things and agree to do what Moses has asked of them while they wait on the law from God.  I wonder what the people thought.  They were probably excited, in awe, and I’m sure a little fearful.  What is amazing to me is how quickly things can change.  At this moment the people are all ion on following God and obeying His rules.  We know that it doesn’t stay this way very long.  We can experience the same in our relationship with God.  We feel close to Him and want to obey Him and honor Him.  Until we don’t.  Until we get distracted, forget, and do our own thing.  I pray that we might be a people who keep ourselves in a consistent state of being in awe of God.  When we have a sense of awe and amazement at the goodness of God it is much easier to follow his rules.  So remain amazed at the awesomeness of our God.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave