“And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.”
Context:The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. In Exodus 19, the Israelites have arrived at Mount Sinai, where God is about to give them the Ten Commandments and establish a covenant with them.
The Lord came down upon Mount Sinai:This verse depicts a significant event where God manifested His presence on Mount Sinai. The mountain was enveloped in smoke, and there was thunder, lightning, and a loud trumpet sound (Exodus 19:16). God’s descent upon the mountain signified His holiness and the divine nature of the encounter that was about to take place.
The Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount:God summoned Moses to ascend the mountain, separating him from the rest of the Israelites. Moses had a unique role as the mediator between God and the people, receiving divine instructions on their behalf. This invitation indicated God’s favour and appointed Moses to receive the revelation of His laws and commandments.
Moses went up:Moses obediently responded to God’s call and ascended Mount Sinai to meet with God. Moses had already encountered God through the burning bush and experienced various miraculous signs, establishing a personal relationship with Him. His willingness to go up the mountain demonstrated his faith, trust, and devotion to God.
Key lessons from Exodus 19:20:
- God initiates divine encounters: In this verse, we see that God took the initiative to come down upon the mountain and call Moses. It reminds us that God is the one who initiates our encounters with Him. He invites us into a relationship and desires to reveal Himself to us.
- Obedience and response to God’s call: Moses’ response to God’s call exemplifies obedience and willingness to follow God’s leading. Similarly, when God calls us, we are encouraged to respond in faith, trusting His guidance and stepping out in obedience.
- The privilege of intimacy with God: Moses was given the opportunity to meet with God face to face and receive His instructions. Likewise, God desires an intimate relationship with His people. Through Jesus Christ, we have access to God’s presence and can experience fellowship with Him through prayer, worship, and reading His Word.
- Mediatorship and intercession: Moses served as a mediator between God and the Israelites, representing the people before God. As believers, we have Jesus Christ as our ultimate Mediator who intercedes on our behalf (1 Timothy 2:5). We can approach God with confidence, knowing that Jesus is our advocate.
In summary, Exodus 19:20 reveals God’s presence descending upon Mount Sinai, His call to Moses to ascend the mountain, and Moses’ obedient response. This verse highlights the importance of divine encounters, obedience to God’s call, the privilege of intimacy with God, and the role of a mediator. It encourages us to seek God’s presence, respond to His call, and cultivate a personal relationship with Him.
