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Holy Mount Sinai
Before God would draw near to and meet with Israel they had to be sanctified. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, and be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of the people upon Mount Sinai” (Exodus 19:10-11). Oh the gravity that “Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the Mount” (Amos 4:12)! My reader, wonder in awe at the events wherein Moses, Aaron, the priests, and the people (in Exodus 19:20-24), were all prepared and warned of the deathly danger of this holy meeting.
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Three days were set aside for sanctification and cleansing so that the people were “ready” (Ex. 19:11, 15). Thrice did God warn with the death penalty, if haply, unholy men did break through the boundaries to gaze upon the holy, and then God, “a Consuming Fire,” would “break forth upon them” with devouring wrath like as He did descend upon Sinai – “in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole Mount quaked greatly” (Ex. 19:18). “The whole Mount quaked greatly” at the Lord’s terrifying descent, and all the people, and Moses, could do nothing else but quake and shake with the earth. “Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob” (Psalm 114:7)!
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“And the LORD said unto Moses, go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. And Moses said unto the LORD, the people cannot come up to the Mount Sinai: for Thou chargedst us, saying, set bounds about the Mount, and sanctify it. And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest He break forth upon them” (Ex. 19:20-24).
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The Lord came down in “a consuming fire” (Heb. 12)! The Lord will consume “the earth also and the works therein” (2 Pet. 3), and our God is such that it is a “terrifying thing” to be in His hands. To be anywhere near to Him while there be some trespass or sin, He did and would, and thrice warned, He would “break forth upon them” (Ex. 19:24). Carnal men fear fire, others fear great waters, many feared the Leviathan, but who will not fear the Lord? “For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of His place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under Him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel” (Mic. 1:3-5).
There were less and more holy places, also less and more holy things, and these were learned with carefulness. When God came down at the giving of the Covenant at Sinai, He said to Moses – “And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the Mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the Mount shall be surely put to death: There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the Mount” (Ex. 19:12-13).
The establishment of the Old Covenant was at this meeting with God – “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the Mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought for the people out of the camp to meet with God…Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice” (Ex. 19:16-19). Then God spoke the Covenant of the Ten Commandments from the midst of the Consuming Fire – "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was" (Exodus 20:18-21).
The Lord sought for His people to fear, even that “His fear may be before” their faces perpetually and forever, to the end “that” they “sin not” (Exodus 20:20). The scene was reemphasized so as to remind the Israelites, that they might continue to fear God, that their children might “learn to fear” Him too, that every generation would be sure to obey the voice of a God Who is “A Consuming Fire, even a jealous God” (Deut. 4:10, 24). Read carefully and consider the significance of the fact that God intended for His people to remember this fear – the fear of a Consuming Fire. He says…
There were less and more holy places, also less and more holy things, and these were learned with carefulness. When God came down at the giving of the Covenant at Sinai, He said to Moses – “And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the Mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the Mount shall be surely put to death: There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the Mount” (Ex. 19:12-13).
The establishment of the Old Covenant was at this meeting with God – “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the Mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought for the people out of the camp to meet with God…Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice” (Ex. 19:16-19). Then God spoke the Covenant of the Ten Commandments from the midst of the Consuming Fire – "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was" (Exodus 20:18-21).
The Lord sought for His people to fear, even that “His fear may be before” their faces perpetually and forever, to the end “that” they “sin not” (Exodus 20:20). The scene was reemphasized so as to remind the Israelites, that they might continue to fear God, that their children might “learn to fear” Him too, that every generation would be sure to obey the voice of a God Who is “A Consuming Fire, even a jealous God” (Deut. 4:10, 24). Read carefully and consider the significance of the fact that God intended for His people to remember this fear – the fear of a Consuming Fire. He says…
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"Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather Me the people together, and I will make them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone" (Deuteronomy 4:9-13).
"Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which He made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God" (Deuteronomy 4:23-24). |
We have studied how the generation of the Exodus did not keep this fear. Over this fact, God Himself laments…Let these words of love reverberate through your soul!
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"O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever" (Deuteronomy 5:29)!
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This is the lovingkindness of God wherein He related to the people after the counsel/intent/purpose/will/desire to save them (God in the ways of man), and they refused and were thus reprobated. In Deuteronomy 5, Moses retells the scene wherein God gave the Covenant to the Exodus generation because their children have risen up in their fathers’ place as inheritors of the Promised Land. Do you remember that, when God damned their fathers, He spoke of taking their children in their stead?
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“But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know My breach of promise” (Numbers 14:31-34).
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Read carefully how the prophet Moses did remind, reemphasize, and retell the day at Sinai again to them, when they were but children, and consider in your mind the significance, because 1) Hebrews 12:18-29 does this very thing in the New Testament, 2) as Moses was a prophet to the Israelites, in a like manner, Jesus is a prophet to Christians (Deut. 18:15), and 3) if the Israelites would have feared God by properly understanding and remembering the significance of this event, then they would have inherited the Promised Land, and in like manner, we are commanded to understand this scene for us, and therefore fear (Heb. 12:28-29), that it is sure we will inherit the Promised Land of heaven (or our rest, see Heb. 4:11), our New heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22). Even so, as much as they needed to understand this, so do we! But let’s understand how they were taught, that we might learn what they learned.
Deuteronomy Chapter 5 (Noted in broken sections)
“22 These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and He added no more. And He wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. 23 And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; 24 And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. 25 Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die. 26 For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27 Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.”
“28 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 30 Go say to them, Get you into your tents again. 31 But as for thee, stand thou here by Me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it. 32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”
The words that validated the need for the prophetic, mediating, intercessory ministry of Moses – these same words call for the ministry of Jesus Christ to the NT Church! This foretelling prophecy of Jesus Christ is in Deuteronomy 18:15-19 –
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Those who did not obey Moses were killed in extraordinary ways! If there is another Prophet, “like unto Moses,” then we have the same need of intercession before God – “a Consuming Fire” – and we have the same need to fear lest we disobey. If we keep this fear/obedience to the words spoken by the prophet who stands in our stead before a Consuming Fire, then we will inherit eternal life! Has this not been the repeated burden and message throughout the book of Hebrews? Has not Hebrews already proven to us the validity and reality that God will fulfill the words spoken in Deuteronomy 18:19, speaking of Christ – “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him.”
Indeed, Christ is our Prophet and Intercessor, yet He is also our God (a Consuming Fire). The Lord warns that when saved men do disobey the voice of Jesus, it will be as when saved men disobeyed the voice of Moses! This is the burden of Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:12. Paul warns that Christ can be tempted to wrath (1 Cor. 10:9) unto our eternal destruction, just as He was tempted to wrath unto the Israelites’ eternal destruction. Hebrews 11 is the Hall of Faith, wherein the deeds of faith are exalted, in exemplification and reward, but on the contrary, 1 Corinthians 10:5-12 is the Hall of Death, wherein deeds of unbelief are warned to be punishable in the same manner, that we are, in like manner, eternally perishable, though we are saved now. How is the context speaking of salvation?
Paul establishes the context to be concerning salvation in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. He states that the race is for an “incorruptible crown.” He is teaching the people that they should run “not as uncertainly,” but as one that will surely obtain the crown of eternal life (1 Cor. 9:26). How does a man run “uncertainly” (1 Cor. 9:26)? It is in the same way a man would walk out his Christian walk, being “ignorant” (1 Cor. 10:1). Let me explain. Paul wants them to be certain to obtain the incorruptible crown in the same way he makes sure his own winning finish of his own race, and he says, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27). He says, “lest that by any means,” showing that he is aware of the “means” by which he can become a castaway – namely, by not bringing his body into subjection. With this burden clearly applied to himself, Paul ends chapter 9 and goes into chapter 10, but he is still burdened over all the possibilities of castaway wrath. In this chapter, Paul is seeking to take away the ignorance of the Corinthians, as he says – “brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant” (1 Cor. 10:1) – ignorant of what? Ignorant that saved men can perish by many “means!” Paul wants them to see multiple examples of how saved men did perish. We can see, then, how Paul is not just burdened for himself, but how he is aware of the “any means” by which the Corinthians can become “castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27). If the Corinthians continue in ignorance of the means by which they could become a castaway, then they are missing the entire burden of Paul – “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Rather, Paul says, “brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant,” in summary – that their fathers were saved, and yet, they fell as castaways (1 Cor. 10:1).
Firstly, don’t be “ignorant” (1 Cor. 10:1) that they were saved – see 1 Cor. 10:1-4 (formerly reviewed).
Secondarily, note the “any means” (1 Cor. 9:27) they can fall – see 1 Cor. 10:5-10.
Finally, note the application of the author – see 1 Cor. 9:24-27, 10:5-6, 11-12.
The logic, argument, and interpretations are clear and consistent throughout the rest of the Bible. Christ is the Prophet like unto Moses, and our God, the Consuming Fire, can be tempted to wrath! 1 Corinthians 10:9 says, “neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,” for we, in like manner, will surely be destroyed! According to what God did to the Exodus generation, there is an unavoidable wrath in God when a saved man discontinues believing.
Christ, as our intercessor, mediator, and Covenant Testator, did deliver to us an infinitely greater and more glorious Covenant. 1) The call was “like unto Moses,” 2) the Mount of the Covenant was like unto Sinai, 3) the need to fear is like unto the OT with Moses, but, 1) the call was greater than Moses and is therefore more severe if neglected, 2) the Mount of Zion is holier and more fearful than Sinai (of which they could not so much as touch it, and yet, we have fully ascended Zion and are upon it), thus 3) the need to fear is greater than it was with Moses!
Indeed, Christ is our Prophet and Intercessor, yet He is also our God (a Consuming Fire). The Lord warns that when saved men do disobey the voice of Jesus, it will be as when saved men disobeyed the voice of Moses! This is the burden of Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:12. Paul warns that Christ can be tempted to wrath (1 Cor. 10:9) unto our eternal destruction, just as He was tempted to wrath unto the Israelites’ eternal destruction. Hebrews 11 is the Hall of Faith, wherein the deeds of faith are exalted, in exemplification and reward, but on the contrary, 1 Corinthians 10:5-12 is the Hall of Death, wherein deeds of unbelief are warned to be punishable in the same manner, that we are, in like manner, eternally perishable, though we are saved now. How is the context speaking of salvation?
Paul establishes the context to be concerning salvation in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. He states that the race is for an “incorruptible crown.” He is teaching the people that they should run “not as uncertainly,” but as one that will surely obtain the crown of eternal life (1 Cor. 9:26). How does a man run “uncertainly” (1 Cor. 9:26)? It is in the same way a man would walk out his Christian walk, being “ignorant” (1 Cor. 10:1). Let me explain. Paul wants them to be certain to obtain the incorruptible crown in the same way he makes sure his own winning finish of his own race, and he says, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27). He says, “lest that by any means,” showing that he is aware of the “means” by which he can become a castaway – namely, by not bringing his body into subjection. With this burden clearly applied to himself, Paul ends chapter 9 and goes into chapter 10, but he is still burdened over all the possibilities of castaway wrath. In this chapter, Paul is seeking to take away the ignorance of the Corinthians, as he says – “brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant” (1 Cor. 10:1) – ignorant of what? Ignorant that saved men can perish by many “means!” Paul wants them to see multiple examples of how saved men did perish. We can see, then, how Paul is not just burdened for himself, but how he is aware of the “any means” by which the Corinthians can become “castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27). If the Corinthians continue in ignorance of the means by which they could become a castaway, then they are missing the entire burden of Paul – “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Rather, Paul says, “brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant,” in summary – that their fathers were saved, and yet, they fell as castaways (1 Cor. 10:1).
Firstly, don’t be “ignorant” (1 Cor. 10:1) that they were saved – see 1 Cor. 10:1-4 (formerly reviewed).
Secondarily, note the “any means” (1 Cor. 9:27) they can fall – see 1 Cor. 10:5-10.
Finally, note the application of the author – see 1 Cor. 9:24-27, 10:5-6, 11-12.
The logic, argument, and interpretations are clear and consistent throughout the rest of the Bible. Christ is the Prophet like unto Moses, and our God, the Consuming Fire, can be tempted to wrath! 1 Corinthians 10:9 says, “neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,” for we, in like manner, will surely be destroyed! According to what God did to the Exodus generation, there is an unavoidable wrath in God when a saved man discontinues believing.
Christ, as our intercessor, mediator, and Covenant Testator, did deliver to us an infinitely greater and more glorious Covenant. 1) The call was “like unto Moses,” 2) the Mount of the Covenant was like unto Sinai, 3) the need to fear is like unto the OT with Moses, but, 1) the call was greater than Moses and is therefore more severe if neglected, 2) the Mount of Zion is holier and more fearful than Sinai (of which they could not so much as touch it, and yet, we have fully ascended Zion and are upon it), thus 3) the need to fear is greater than it was with Moses!