Where Moses Met God

Reading: Exodus chapter 19 verses 1 to 8

Ill:

• After going on a diet, a woman was really feeling good about herself;

• Especially when she was able to fit into a pair of jeans she had outgrown long ago.

• "Look, look!" she shouted while running downstairs to show her husband.

• "I can wear my old jeans again!"

• Her husband looked at her for a long time,

• Obviously struggling with knowing what to say.

• Finally, he just had to say it,

• "Darling, I love you, but those are my jeans."

As human beings we are prone to make mistakes:

• Ill: Noticed this week with the M.P.’s expenses;

• All of them just happened to have made a mistake – none have admitted their guilt!

• As human beings we are prone to make mistakes:

• As humans we can easily draw the wrong conclusions.

Ill:

• Here's the final word on nutrition and health.

• It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.

• The Japanese eat very little fat;

• And suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

• The French eat a lot of fat;

• And also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

• The Japanese drink very little red wine;

• And suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

• The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine;

• And also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

• CONCLUSION:

• Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

NOW IN EXODUS CHAPTER 19:

• When approaching and experiencing the presence of a holy God;

• We are told how to do it right way!

• There is no room for mistakes and misunderstandings;

• Or even wrong conclusions – we need to get it right!

• So these verses give us some key principles (still relevant for today);

• In approaching and experiencing a holy God!

Background: In Exodus chapter 3 verse 12 God made a promise to Moses:

• The promise was that one day Moses and the Hebrew people;

• Who were slaves at the time in Egypt.

• Would leave Egypt and their lives as slaves & would worship God on this mountain.

• Now God always, always keeps his promises - chapter 19 is that promise fulfilled.

And in this chapter (19) God has a twofold plan for his people:

• One: To lead them to the right place.

• Two: To require from them certain commitments.

(1). A specific place (verse 2): "In front of the mountain".

"After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain".

Sinai is a series of mountains at the base of the Sinai peninsula:

• Some of those mountain peaks reach as high as 8000 feet.

• They are solid granite.

• As with most mountain ranges,

• They were pretty impressive to look at.

ill:

Giant fist reaching from earth up to heaven.

Question: Why has God brought Moses and 2 million plus people here, to this spot?

Answer:

• Cast your minds back to chapter 3 of Exodus;

• When God spoke to Moses through a burning bush:

• Moses learnt a very important lesson that day - "He was standing on holy ground".

• Now the 2 million plus Hebrew people are about to learn the same lesson.

They had to learn to appreciate the God they were coming before:

• Was the creator of those mountains,

• If the 8,000ft Sinai peninsula was impressive

• How much more impressive was the God who made it!

• They were going to be taught how to approach their creator;

• The maker of heaven & earth, the great God.

• The Holy one of whom we are told: "Even the moon and stars are not bright / pure in eyes".

The Hebrew people/the nation of Israel had to learn respect for God:

• ill: Approaching God is not like turning on & off a T.V. set.

• Whenever it pleases you - at your own convenience.

• They needed to know that there is a right way and a wrong way to approach royalty.

Ill:

• News story this week.

• London Assembly member Richard Barnbrook thought he could royal protocol;

• And invite BNP leader Nick Griffin to a garden party with the Queen.

• He has been reminded and told;

• When you come before the queen she calls the shots and not you!

• Not only do you come before the queen with the right dress code;

• You must also follow rules regarding talking with the queen;