AFTER willingness had been expressed to do all that the Lord had spoken, the Lord told Moses that He would come in a thick cloud, and the people should hear when He spoke, and should believe forever what Moses told them.
The camping ground of Israel in this place was a large, smooth plain surrounded by mountains; and here, it is said, “the air is wonderfully clear, both for seeing and hearing.” With ample space for two millions of people, and so situated that all could see and hear, the Lord was about to speak to them from Mount Sinai, and to come down in the sight of all the people. Bounds were to be set so that no one could touch the mountain, for it would be death to man or beast to come near.
This gives to us a picture of the holiness and majesty of God. Sin is abhorrent to Him, and man who is a sinner cannot come near until the question of sin is settled. But thanks be to God who has thought of us in His great love and mercy—A way has been opened into His presence— “a new and living way.” And this way is through the blood of Jesus.
The glory of the Lord was in the tabernacle, and the Lord appeared “in the cloud upon the mercy seat.” But man was shut out from this glory by the veil which hung between the holy place and the most holy. To go behind this veil was death for any save the high priest who could enter once a year; but his entrance must be with blood and smoking incense. Now this barrier is gone. With the death of Jesus “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”
Jesus had stood between God and men; He had settled the whole question of sin; and now a way of access has been made into God’s very presence; by the blood of Jesus we may enter with boldness “into the holiest.” What a change! It is no longer God dwelling “in the thick darkness” and making death the penalty of approach. Jesus our Saviour has abolished death and has brought life to light; and now instead of darkness and trembling and death, we have life and light, and joy and peace. May our hearts adore the blessed One who, at infinite cost, has removed all barriers, and brought His people into nearness and communion with God!
On the morning of the third day, after the people had been sanctified, thick darkness enveloped the mount, and the earth trembled and shook; even the mountain itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. The thunder reverberated through the heavens, and the lightening lightened the world.
The people came near and stood under the mountain, which burned with fire, for the Lord had descended on it in fire, and the smoke was ascending. Out of the midst of the fire they heard the voice of the Lord speaking to them. Do you suppose this was a time of terror for them? It was indeed. The terrible sights and sounds made them tremble; and they must have been deeply impressed with a sense of God’s holiness and majesty.
May we with glad hearts praise the Lord that He is now revealing Himself in love and grace, and not speaking to us in the thunders of Sinai!
ML 06/14/1903