People say they aren’t afraid of God, and I’m not afraid of tigers—until I have to meet one!
The children of Israel have seen God’s work from a distance, but Moses is the one who speaks with Him, and then for Him. Now the Lord instructs the people to prepare for the moment when He shows up to actually meet with them. He will still be speaking to Moses, but the people will be allowed to eavesdrop: “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever,” said the Lord (Ex 19:9). Imagine Almighty God landing on this little planet, this speck of dust in the vastness of space. This is the One of whom it was said with holy awe, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You!” (1 Ki 8:27). So Moses sends the word rippling out across the vast sea of faces. You have two days to prepare for the Big Day. Clothes laundered. Everyone ship-shape. Set a boundary line all around Mount Sinai’s base because the people must not come too close. In fact, says the Lord, “Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death…he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live” (Ex 19:12-13). Say, this is serious! Very serious! How good to remember: God is loving and welcoming, but God is, after all, GOD. He’s not one of those little idols you move around at will. Nonetheless, “When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.” Yes, He is with us but far above us. When Day Three dawns, a trumpet sounds; thunderous drum rolls announce His coming; brilliant strobes of lightning illuminate the scene; a black cloud curtain covers the heights and rolls down towards them. The whole mountain trembles. Jehovah has arrived, and is about to speak. Listen to this!