This exposition of Exodus 19:1-6 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 20, 2019.
Intro:
They were tired, confused and cranky. It had been a grueling three months. Three months of hunger and abundant provision, of thirst and refreshment. Months of miracles and want.
[sections collapse="always"][section title="Read More"]
It’s not easy trudging through the wilderness with a couple of million of your closest friends. The children of Israel have reached their destination. But wait, this doesn’t seem right. They were told they were going to a good and spacious land. A land flowing with milk and honey. But this is a mountainous wilderness. If they had gone north when they left Egypt they could have been in that good and spacious land within 2 weeks. But they went south and here they are, three months later, a long way from that good and spacious land in this rocky wilderness. They were not happy campers. Somebody better have a good explanation for what is going on.
That’s the scene in Exodus chapter 19 as the children of Israel reach Mount Sinai. We know that God has led them here. We can be certain of that because He led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. There was no mistaking the leadership of God. There could be no misunderstanding about the direction. When the cloud moved they moved. When the cloud settled, they settled. But why here? This just doesn’t make sense. We have to remember, God is always working. He is always working for the good of His people and for His own glory. In all things God is at work. There is a purpose in everything that has happened on this 3-month journey. The hand of providence was guiding them. God was working in his people preparing them for what lies ahead. Their arrival at this mountain may have seemed haphazard and random but it was in fact divine guidance. Do you remember when Moses met God back there in Horeb at that bush that burned but was not consumed? Moses had a lot of questions. One of which was, “Are you sure you have the right guy?” The LORD assured him that He did, and that He would be with Moses through it all. Then God said, “I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve (worship) Me on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12)
It is here, at this mountain that they will hear God speak, receive the law and the plans for the tabernacle. It is here, they will met their God. Our text this morning is found in Exodus chapter 19 beginning with verse 1.
Text: Exodus 19:1-6
3 months after walking out of Egypt they arrived at the mountain. It is here they will stay for the better part of a year. The rest of Exodus will take place at the foot of this mountain. The natural question is, “What mountain or which mountain?” We don’t know! It is the source of much debate. Some believe it is in Northwest Arabia. Others suggest it is near Kadesh-Barnea. The traditional site has been Jebel Musa (the mountain of Moses) in the southern end to he Sinai Peninsula. To date there is no conclusive proof biblically or archeologically to say definitively. Apparently it is not essential otherwise God would have given us greater detail in order to determine it. What matters is what happened here.
Look with me beginning with verse 1.
Note the formal language of verse 3. This would indicate a new beginning for the people. What takes place here is a renewing of the covenant (God’s binding commitment to His people). The LORD is formally reaffirming their relationship. This is also the beginning of Israel moving from being the children of Israel to the nation of Israel. It is here they will receive the law and guidelines for worship, the formal structuring of the nation. In this opening address, the LORD speaks to Israel’s past, their present and their future.
As we work our way through we will note…
Thesis: Life, as the people of God, demands recognition of what God has done, our embracing what God has promised and our commitment to do what God requires of us.
There are three things to note in our text.
- We are to live in grateful recognition of God graciously delivering us from bondage. (19:4)
- We are to embrace God’s promise of a glorious future for His people. (19:5b-6)
- We, as God’s people, are to commit to a life of full obedience and faithfulness. (19:5)
Conclusion:
Notice the order of things. They have been set free. God has saved them. They have been delivered from Egypt, redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Then He gives them this command to obey. The order is deliverance and then the law.
Newsflash - no one was ever saved by keeping the law. For none of us can keep the law. We are sinners. If this obedience is the cause of deliverance - we would still be in bondage. Israel would have never left Egypt. You have been saved now here is how you live for my glory. We are saved by grace in Christ before we are called to live for Christ.
We could never fully satisfy this demand for full obedience. Well, that leaves a question. How can we enjoy the benefit of something without ever being able to meet the qualifications for enjoyment?
Someone has done that for us! Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)
All the promises of God are ours in Christ Jesus.
Life, as the people of God, demands recognition of what God has done, our embracing what God has promised and our commitment to do what God requires of us.
[/section][/sections]