“And God spoke all these words… (Among the other stuff) you shall not murder”. How intriguing that the person sitting next to him was Moses. The same one that killed an Egyptian. The same one that lead the people out of Egypt. The same one that could talk to God directly, unlike everyone else. Amazing! Our God is a God of second chances… Can you imagine being in Moses shoes, hearing those commandments, reflecting on the past? I would be on the floor crying, saying God “take me home now”, yet Moses proceeds along, doing as God had told him to say & do… Interesting too, Moses seems to acquire more confidence as the journey keeps unfolding. So profound. So much to learn from this!
To think that John the Baptist ushered in the new covenant, and that all who are a part are greater than he in the kingdom is so humbling. We are often amazed at the faith and deeds of the patriarchs, and yet we have access to so much more than they!
“Come to Me…” I love that we have a Father in heaven who invites us to come to Him. That He is not a distant God but One who wants to bear our burdens. One who desires for us to come to Him and it is there that we will find rest. True rest. I so many times go to everything and everyone else but Him in my times of stress and wonder why I am overwhelmed! I need to take my burdens to Him. Blessings to you all today in following Him!
Amen! May we give him ALL our burdens! Starting with the words “come to me” made me think of a song by Jenn Johnson (Bethel Music, The Loft Sessions). If you haven’t heard it, please check it out. You may find it powerful, especially with your fresh observation.. One of my “go to” songs!
Kara you are in good company. I am so guilty of going everywhere else except my Heavenly Father to lay down my burdens. His promise is so pure and so true and He delivers. Every. Time.
Exodus 19:8. “All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” How quick they were (& we are) to emotionally declare, “Yes! I’ll do anything God commands!” And then we fail. Over and over again. If we never promised this would be ok (I think?). But once you promise you are bound. Even if it’s impossible! Oh that we would take the time to count the cost BEFORE making (rash) promises and emotional decisions!
There is a holy, right fear that the bible talks about that a believer should have. Even what we read through the book of Job, God wanted Job to submit to him as sovereign ruler over his life and not question. And in proverbs and psalms it speaks of true wisdom and abundant living beginning with the fear of the Lord. So my question is practically, what does that right kind of fear look like in the life of a believer? How do you balance his relationship to you as father and his relationship to you as Lord of your life?
I think that to fear is to have respect. God is powerful and mighty and we need fearfully respect that He is far more powerful than we are. I think that it is a healthy fear.
Yes, I had some similar thoughts on fear here in Exodus 20. It’s so clear that The Lord acts is such a way to put fear into the Israelites, but later on in the New Testament we read more about how much The Lord loves us & cherished us. It made me wonder the difference between God acting to put fear in us, or Him showing us how much He loves us. I agree it is puzzling, at least for me, but I count it as one of His marvelous mysteries, part of His perfect plan, & how thankful I am that I can see these two equally significant aspects of the character of my Lord.
Elisha made a great point above on this. Her perspective puts a light on how we are now able to approach this. In addition, I think fear is in the manner of our “heart”. Our heart has to align to God’s truth. Then we can function on a healthy fear, becoming second nature to every decision we face. It is not easy…we are a work in progress, and will be so until we breath our last breath! Thank God for our “mediator”!!!
I’ve heard pastors say that when the Bible talks about fearing the Lord it means being in awe of Him. It’s not a I’m scared fear but a respect for Him and all that He is.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
If we could just remember this invitation to give it all to Him as soon at “it” ,whatever that may be, happens our lives would be so much easier.
Our Heavenly Father loves us so deeply He is willing to carry all our struggles for us. And to teach us through His word how to live our lives in less strife. How very blessed we are!
Reading Exodus 19 made me turn instantly to Hebrews 12. Oh what blessings we have received in the New Covenant!!! We need not fear drawing near to God. He WELCOMES us into His presence with great joy! Let us not tarry!!! Let us meet with Him today!!!
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
thank you so much jess for bringing that scripture from Hebrews. What struck me today in these readings was the contrast between unapproachable God on the mountain DO NOT APPROACH THE MOUNTAIN OR TOUCH THE FOOT OF IT and the approachable, inviting Jesus COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. I often have trouble reconciling God of these seeming multiple personalities. No amount of washing or abstinence or fasting could make the Israelites clean enough to approach God, and it is the sme for me. But “Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant,” and I can approach confidently through him.
YES YES YES! I love what our spirits testify when we read the Old Testament — they point to the goodness of Christ! How much better of a covenant we have received.
Jess, thank you for the connection to Hebrews. I’ve read it before but not at the same time as slowly digesting Exodus first. It’s amazing and wonderful that we can see those connections and reflect them!
Jess thank you so much for this connection. Also thank you to the other ladies and your insight as well! These comments have helped me greatly to impress the Word on my heart and in my mind!
“And God spoke all these words… (Among the other stuff) you shall not murder”. How intriguing that the person sitting next to him was Moses. The same one that killed an Egyptian. The same one that lead the people out of Egypt. The same one that could talk to God directly, unlike everyone else. Amazing! Our God is a God of second chances… Can you imagine being in Moses shoes, hearing those commandments, reflecting on the past? I would be on the floor crying, saying God “take me home now”, yet Moses proceeds along, doing as God had told him to say & do… Interesting too, Moses seems to acquire more confidence as the journey keeps unfolding. So profound. So much to learn from this!
To think that John the Baptist ushered in the new covenant, and that all who are a part are greater than he in the kingdom is so humbling. We are often amazed at the faith and deeds of the patriarchs, and yet we have access to so much more than they!
So so true!
Great insight. And we are so undeserving of it, yet…isn’t that what God’s Grace is all about?
“Come to Me…” I love that we have a Father in heaven who invites us to come to Him. That He is not a distant God but One who wants to bear our burdens. One who desires for us to come to Him and it is there that we will find rest. True rest. I so many times go to everything and everyone else but Him in my times of stress and wonder why I am overwhelmed! I need to take my burdens to Him. Blessings to you all today in following Him!
Amen! May we give him ALL our burdens! Starting with the words “come to me” made me think of a song by Jenn Johnson (Bethel Music, The Loft Sessions). If you haven’t heard it, please check it out. You may find it powerful, especially with your fresh observation.. One of my “go to” songs!
I hear you, Kara. Just to come to the Father and rest :)
Kara you are in good company. I am so guilty of going everywhere else except my Heavenly Father to lay down my burdens. His promise is so pure and so true and He delivers. Every. Time.
Exodus 19:8. “All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” How quick they were (& we are) to emotionally declare, “Yes! I’ll do anything God commands!” And then we fail. Over and over again. If we never promised this would be ok (I think?). But once you promise you are bound. Even if it’s impossible! Oh that we would take the time to count the cost BEFORE making (rash) promises and emotional decisions!
I love what you said about “swift, emotional, declaration”… I fall in this trap easily too. Thank goodness God doesn’t!
There is a holy, right fear that the bible talks about that a believer should have. Even what we read through the book of Job, God wanted Job to submit to him as sovereign ruler over his life and not question. And in proverbs and psalms it speaks of true wisdom and abundant living beginning with the fear of the Lord. So my question is practically, what does that right kind of fear look like in the life of a believer? How do you balance his relationship to you as father and his relationship to you as Lord of your life?
I think that to fear is to have respect. God is powerful and mighty and we need fearfully respect that He is far more powerful than we are. I think that it is a healthy fear.
Yes, I had some similar thoughts on fear here in Exodus 20. It’s so clear that The Lord acts is such a way to put fear into the Israelites, but later on in the New Testament we read more about how much The Lord loves us & cherished us. It made me wonder the difference between God acting to put fear in us, or Him showing us how much He loves us. I agree it is puzzling, at least for me, but I count it as one of His marvelous mysteries, part of His perfect plan, & how thankful I am that I can see these two equally significant aspects of the character of my Lord.
Elisha made a great point above on this. Her perspective puts a light on how we are now able to approach this. In addition, I think fear is in the manner of our “heart”. Our heart has to align to God’s truth. Then we can function on a healthy fear, becoming second nature to every decision we face. It is not easy…we are a work in progress, and will be so until we breath our last breath! Thank God for our “mediator”!!!
I’ve heard pastors say that when the Bible talks about fearing the Lord it means being in awe of Him. It’s not a I’m scared fear but a respect for Him and all that He is.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
If we could just remember this invitation to give it all to Him as soon at “it” ,whatever that may be, happens our lives would be so much easier.
Our Heavenly Father loves us so deeply He is willing to carry all our struggles for us. And to teach us through His word how to live our lives in less strife. How very blessed we are!
And thinking more about what “rest for our souls” means…that’s where I paused today too!
What a wonderful connection to make! Thank you for reminding me of this!
Reading Exodus 19 made me turn instantly to Hebrews 12. Oh what blessings we have received in the New Covenant!!! We need not fear drawing near to God. He WELCOMES us into His presence with great joy! Let us not tarry!!! Let us meet with Him today!!!
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
thank you so much jess for bringing that scripture from Hebrews. What struck me today in these readings was the contrast between unapproachable God on the mountain DO NOT APPROACH THE MOUNTAIN OR TOUCH THE FOOT OF IT and the approachable, inviting Jesus COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. I often have trouble reconciling God of these seeming multiple personalities. No amount of washing or abstinence or fasting could make the Israelites clean enough to approach God, and it is the sme for me. But “Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant,” and I can approach confidently through him.
Elisha love the parallel, of the same, yet so distinguished. Great perspective!
YES YES YES! I love what our spirits testify when we read the Old Testament — they point to the goodness of Christ! How much better of a covenant we have received.
Jess, thank you for the connection to Hebrews. I’ve read it before but not at the same time as slowly digesting Exodus first. It’s amazing and wonderful that we can see those connections and reflect them!
Jess thank you so much for this connection. Also thank you to the other ladies and your insight as well! These comments have helped me greatly to impress the Word on my heart and in my mind!