What preparations are necessary to meet God, as shown in Exodus 19:20? Setting the Scene: Israel at Sinai “Then the LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit, and Moses went up.” (Exodus 19:20) What God Required Before He Descended Earlier in the chapter (vv. 10–15) the LORD spelled out precise steps that had to happen before verse 20 could ever take place. Those steps reveal timeless principles for anyone who wants to meet with God. • Consecration of the People – “Go and consecrate the people today and tomorrow; have them wash their clothes” (v. 10). – Consecration means being set apart exclusively for God’s use. It involves deliberate, personal surrender. – Cross reference: “Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) • External Cleansing as a Sign of Internal Purity – Freshly washed garments pointed to a heart made clean. – “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) – God ties outward obedience to inward reality; both matter. • Setting Boundaries Around the Sacred – “Put limits around the mountain and sanctify it.” (v. 23) – Approaching God is never casual. Reverence is shown by respecting His boundaries. – Cross reference: “He must regard Me as holy… I must be glorified.” (Leviticus 10:3) • Abstinence for Focused Devotion – “Abstain from sexual relations.” (v. 15) – Not because marital intimacy is impure, but because undistracted attention was required. – A reminder that meeting God demands wholehearted focus (1 Corinthians 7:5). The Mediator Goes Up Only after these preparations does “Moses go up” (v. 20). Israel needed a mediator then; we still do now. – “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) Timeless Principles for Us Today 1. Personal Holiness • “Be holy in all your conduct.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) • God still meets those who separate themselves from sin. 2. Purified Hearts and Hands • “Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? … He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24:3-4) • Cleanliness of life mirrors the cleansing of Christ’s blood. 3. Reverent Boundaries • Worship is not a free-for-all; it is regulated by God’s revealed will (John 4:24). 4. Undivided Attention • Intentional abstinence from distractions fosters a ready heart. 5. Trust in the Greater Mediator • Jesus fulfills what Moses foreshadowed, bringing us “boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19) Living It Out • Daily confession keeps the garments of the soul clean (1 John 1:9). • Regularly set apart time and space solely for meeting with God. • Approach with reverent awe, grateful that in Christ every necessary preparation has been perfectly provided. |
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