Daily Devotions
Exodus
"He bowed the heavens also, and came down with darkness under His feet." Psalm 18:9
Text: Exodus 19 : 16-19
THE AWE-INSPIRING PRESENCE OF GOD
It must have been most challenging to describe the Presence of God descending on Mt. Sinai. Moses did his best to describe all that he heard, saw and felt all at the same time.
“Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning,
that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on
the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud,
so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.”
EXODUS 19: 16
1. “Thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain”
How awe-inspiring that sight must have been to all who caught a glimpse of it. The God of Israel was no figment of the imagination!
2. “The sound of the trumpet was very loud”
The text seems to indicate that the sound of the trumpets may well have been provided by the Lord Himself. It would not be a problem for His angels to have a fanfare of trumpets to announce His arrival!
3. “All the people who were in the camp trembled.”
Sight and sound caused a reaction from the children of Israel! There was a deep sense of awe and reverence felt by all! So this was the God who humbled mighty Pharaoh of Egypt!
APPROACHING THE HOLY MOUNT OF GOD
At the sound of the trumpet, Moses began to march the children of Israel to the base of the mountain to meet the Lord. What a sight that must have been!
“And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God,
and they stood at the foot of the mountain.”
EXODUS 19:17
A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD AT MOUNT SINAI
The event was too significant to release with a single, simple description! Moses went on to attempt to describe what he saw and experienced that day!
“Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD
descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of
a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. And when the
blast of he trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder,
Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.”
EXODUS 19:18-19
Who would have dared to even utter a word in such surroundings? Moses did! He spoke to God, presenting himself and Israel! And the Lord “answered him by voice”!