Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: None to Approach the Mount While God Gave

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the narrative of the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, a significant command was issued by God concerning the sanctity and holiness of the mountain during His divine revelation to Moses. This event is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking the establishment of the covenant between God and His chosen people. The command that none should approach the mountain underscores the holiness of God and the reverence required in His presence.

Biblical Context

The account of this command is found in the Book of Exodus, specifically in chapters 19 and 20. After the Israelites had been delivered from Egypt and had journeyed to the wilderness of Sinai, God called Moses to ascend Mount Sinai to receive the Law. Before this divine encounter, God instructed Moses to consecrate the people and set boundaries around the mountain.

Scriptural Reference

Exodus 19:12-13 states: "And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must surely be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they go up the mountain."

Theological Significance

The prohibition against approaching the mountain highlights the transcendence and holiness of God. It serves as a reminder of the separation between the divine and the human, emphasizing that God is not to be approached casually or irreverently. The command to set boundaries and the severe penalty for transgression reflect the seriousness with which God’s holiness is to be regarded.

This event also prefigures the need for mediation between God and humanity. Moses acts as the mediator, ascending the mountain to receive the Law on behalf of the people. This foreshadows the ultimate mediation fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Covenantal Implications

The giving of the Law at Sinai is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Law serves as the terms of the covenant, outlining the expectations and responsibilities of the Israelites as God’s chosen people. The command to keep away from the mountain during this revelation underscores the gravity of entering into a covenant with the Almighty.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

The command not to approach the mountain teaches the importance of obedience and reverence in the presence of God. It serves as a lesson in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The Israelites were to understand that approaching God required preparation, consecration, and respect for His holiness.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, mountains were often seen as places of divine encounter. The Israelites, having come from Egypt where mountains were also considered sacred, would have understood the significance of Mount Sinai as a place where heaven and earth meet. The command to keep their distance would have reinforced the idea that this was a unique and sacred event.

Conclusion

The command that none should approach the mountain while God gave the Law is a profound moment in biblical history. It underscores the holiness of God, the need for mediation, and the seriousness of entering into a covenant with the Creator. This event continues to hold theological and moral significance for believers, reminding them of the reverence due to God and the importance of obedience to His commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 19:13,21-24
There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mount.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 12:20
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... to be partaken of by those that have none of their ... to the will of God and the law
of nature ... sight, they all followed after him weeping; but Moses beckoned with ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... Wherefore Moses, after promulgating the Law, hesitates not to call ... are written in
the book of the law to do ... rather assuming it as confessed, that none can so ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

Acts vii. 35
... to Moses and to all others, and not keeping the Law? And yet Moses had said, "A
Prophet shall the Lord raise ... we must be clean from wrath that none may impute ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii acts vii 35.htm

The Uses of the Law
... my works." Nay, sir, look to the flame that Moses saw, and ... Ay, that was why the law
was sent"to convince us ... There will be none found to stand before him, then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the uses of the law.htm

The Fear of God.
... the mouth of the very Lord himself spoke them, and that none but the ... the birth of
Jesus, while, or at least where yet even Moses and his law were unknown ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the fear of god.htm

God in the Covenant
... child towards his Father, in that sense none can say ... he gives him over to the hand
of Moses; Moses takes him a little and applies the club of the law, drags him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. ...
... But none the less we recognise in him a brother in ... Work is the law of our lives;
and the more highly ... prophets, do they live for ever?' but when Moses and Elias ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture k/the ideal statesman footnote preached.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... of Christ, just as the Jews behoved to be disciples under the law of Moses. Still
none could rightly infer from this that infants, whom the Lord declared to ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... and keep his precepts, I shall not bring none of the ... and ceremonies which now be
not had in the new law. And also as doctors say, Moses learned that time all ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of ...
... According to the Mishnah, [4917] if they transgressed against the Law of Moses or
of ... between Christ and even the strictest of the Rabbis, since none of them ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxii on the journey.htm