The Wednesday Word 3.22.2023

 

Exodus 20:18-21

“18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. 19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” 20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” 21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.”

 

Moses was given very specific instructions for the people to prepare for an actual visit from the Lord God Almighty (see Exodus 19). They were following them meticulously because one step out of line meant death. When God set the ground rules, he meant business. The people were terrified and they had a point.

 

Things are much different for us nowadays. You don’t hear about too many folks struck dead in their tracks or being turned into pillars of salt these days. Even so, there are people who still live in abject fear of God. They have heard things said and they aren’t aware of their context. They don’t know the specific instructions we have been given. They fear an omniscient God that knows the true depths of their behaviors and beliefs. They would really rather no one knows, so they try to stay as far away from God as they can. The reality is that God already knows all about it. He knew all about the Israelites in the desert. He started out with ten specific commandments and went on from there (Exodus 20:1-17). He finally wound up sending his Son down to walk with us and explain the specific instructions in even greater detail. And while he was here, the Son took the sins of the world onto his own shoulders and made it possible for us to be forgiven. We just have to do our very best to follow the specific instructions. There is no need for us to be terrified any more…something to pray about.

 

Don’t forget to look for the Lord today. Vicki H.



                                                                                                photo by Todd Trapani

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