WHERE WE HAVE COME

'For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NASB )

Devotion 3 of 13 Darkness and gloom and whirlwind

Although Mount Sinai was aflame, it was also marked by obscurity. There were darkness, gloom, and a whirlwind--ensuring the people did not impulsively draw close to the mountain. Moses wrote the mountain was "smoking" (Ex 20:18, NASB). The "darkness" was induced by smoke, not by the hiding of the sun. The light of the sun was, in fact, blotted out by the pervasive smoke that covered the mountain. It was like a smoking furnace. Of Sinai Scripture apprises us "its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace" (Ex 19:18). The darkness was so great it was described as "thick darkness." "And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness" (Ex 20:21; Deut 4:11; 5:22). That mountain was marked by obscurity--but we have not come to "a mountain that may be touched." The blackness of the darkness caused "gloom" to come over the people. No confidence was generated at this mountain! No assurance of identity with God! It was a gloomy experience because it accentuated the distance between the people and their God. Mount Sinai had an adverse effect upon the people-- but we have not come to "a mountain that may be touched." Mount Sinai was also a stormy mountain; there was "tempest" on the mount. A "whirlwind," or "tempest," is not a mild event. The word means a blowing storm--something like a hurricane. You will remember that Elijah was taken up to heaven in a "whirlwind," or hurricane/tornado (2 Kgs 2:1,11). Twice God spoke to Job out of a whirlwind (Job 38:1; 40:6). Isaiah spoke of the whirlwind as evidence of God's wrath, which takes sinners away like stubble (Isa 40:24). What a frightening mountain--but we have not come to "a mountain that may be touched."

The blast of a trumpet and unbearable sounds

The awesomeness of Sinai was also accentuated by the piercing sound of a trumpet. It was not a melodious blast, but one which struck fear into the hearts of the people. Moses described the blast as "the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled" (Ex 19:16). It was not a short blast, but a prolonged one, causing fear to rise within, and dominate, the hearts of the people. "And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder" (Ex 19:19). The people certainly were not entertained at Mount Sinai! The "word spoken by angels" (Heb 2:2) at the ancient Mount were good words, but they were unbearable because of the hearts of the people. Israel was so convicted that they asked Moses to give them the message. They could not bear the words of the Lord. "Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Ex 20:19). Israel heard frightening words at the foot of the Mount--but we have not come to "a mountain that may be touched." The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai was an occasion of fear, even though it was one of covenant. It was a time when the variance between God and men was revealed. Even Moses, faithful in all of His house, was adversely affected by the experience of Sinai. He had spoken with God "face to face" and "mouth to mouth" (Ex 33:11; Num 12:8). Yet, Sinai gendered fear in the faithful servant. "And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake" (Heb 12:21). But, we have not come to "a mountain that may be touched." PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the Law, which, as a schoolmaser, has brought me to Christ. Under its thunderous tones I became aware I was at variance with You because of my sin. How glorious is the sound of the Gospel to me now--a message of reconcilation and justification. Thank you, in Jesus' name!

-- TOMORROW: HOW ESSENTIAL IS OVERCOMING? --