Thurs.’s Devo - The Invitation

Read Ex. 19:1-25 God has shown the children of Israel how he can deliver them, lead them, provide for them, fight for them. and govern them. Now he gives the invitation to stay in this relationship. All he asks for is their obedience. He promises them that they will be his peculiar treasure above all the people on the earth and will be a kingdom of priests; a holy nation. Moses tells the people this and they all agree that they want to obey God and have this relationship. When Moses tells this to God he wants to draw near to them and let them tear his voice like Moses was privy to. To do this they have 3 days to get ready because God wass going to manifest his glory in front of Mt. Sinai. They were to make a fence around the mountain so that no one could touch it. This was for their protection, because if they touched it they would die. On that day a trumpet will sound to let them know to assemble. So the people prepared to meet God and on the third day there were thunders and lightning and a thick cloud. God came as fire on the mountain top and billows of smoke poured out. The mountain shook with God’s power. Then a trumpet sounded and got louder and louder. It was blown by an unseen force. If a human blew the trumpet it would get softer and softer as the person lost breath and strength, but this one got louder and louder because it was blown by the breath of heaven. Moses spoke to God and he answered Moses and called him up to the top of the mountain. All the people heard this. Moses went up but God sent him back down to make sure the people didn’t try to do the same thing. If they did, he would have to kill them. This is the invitation God is still issuing: draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Lord, may we sanctify ourselves that we may hear your voice and obey you and live as a holy nation, a kingdom of priests.