How can we apply the principle of reverence from Exodus 19:13 today? Grasping the Scene at Sinai Exodus 19:13: “No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; whether animal or man, he shall not live. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.” • Israel faced a holy God whose presence set clear, physical boundaries. • Crossing those lines meant death, underscoring the absolute otherness of the LORD (cf. Hebrews 12:18–21). Reverence Then and Reverence Now • God’s nature has not changed (Malachi 3:6); His holiness still demands awe. • Christ grants us access to the Father (Hebrews 10:19–22), yet that access is never casual. • Reverence today flows from gratitude, not fear of stoning, but the seriousness remains (Hebrews 12:28–29). Guarding Sacred Spaces in Everyday Life • Corporate Worship – Prepare hearts before arriving: confess sin (1 John 1:9), set aside distractions. – Arrive on time, recognizing the gathering as a meeting with the King (Psalm 89:7). – Engage actively—sing, listen, give—because passivity dishonors His presence. • Personal Devotion – Designate an uncluttered place and time; silence phones and notifications. – Approach Scripture expecting to hear God’s voice (Isaiah 66:2). – Close each session with obedience: note one concrete action to take. • Speech and Conduct – Avoid using God’s name flippantly (Exodus 20:7). – Speak of spiritual matters with gravity and joy, never sarcasm (Ephesians 4:29). – Reflect holiness in moral choices—media, finances, relationships (1 Peter 1:15–16). Respecting God-Ordained Boundaries • Moral Boundaries: Sexual purity, honesty in business, integrity when alone (1 Thessalonians 4:3–8). • Doctrinal Boundaries: Refuse to edit or dilute clear teachings of Scripture (2 Timothy 4:2–4). • Authority Boundaries: Honor church leaders and civil authorities unless they contradict God’s Word (Hebrews 13:17; Acts 5:29). Cultivating a Heart That Trembles • Remember past deliverances: rehearse testimonies of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 105:1–5). • Meditate on His attributes—holiness, omnipotence, love—until worship rises (Psalm 27:4). • Fast periodically to remind the body that God alone sustains (Matthew 6:17–18). Living the Sinai Principle in Community • Model reverence for children—let them see Scripture handled carefully, prayer taken seriously. • Encourage one another when worship grows routine; gently call each other back to wonder (Hebrews 3:13). • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper thoughtfully, examining hearts before partaking (1 Corinthians 11:27–29). Looking Ahead to the Greater Mountain • Sinai points to Zion: “But you have come to Mount Zion… to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:22–24). • The call to reverence crescendos, not diminishes, because we approach an even greater glory. • Therefore, “let us show gratitude, and so offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). |
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