Called to Holiness
Exodus 19:1-6, 10-14, 16-19
On the eve of the giving of the Law to the nation of Israel, God told the people, through Moses, what He expected of them. Following up on the promises He made to Abraham many years earlier, God reaffirms His covenant with the nation of Israel, Abraham’s descendants. There was an exchange of promises – God promised to bless them and care for the nation of Israel. Out of all the nations on earth, they would be His – “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The people replied, pledging their obedience.
That obedience did not last long! This passage should cause us to evaluate any commitments we have made to God. Are we continuing in obedience, or have we fallen away? God is a merciful God, but we cannot use that as an excuse. God demands obedience from His people.
These lessons from the Old Testament should not be regarded as simply something from the “past.” New Testament Scripture reminds us that we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” Those words were written to followers of Jesus everywhere. We are a part of the new covenant, and as such, our holiness and obedience are demanded, just as they were of the people of Israel.
God instructed Moses to prepare the people to meet Him, to have them prepare spiritually and physically. He gave instructions so that the people could not approach Mount Sinai – a holy place – casually or irreverently. This meeting with God was to take place with the people mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared to come into the presence of the Holy God.
How often do we casually, hurriedly approach worship? Sunday mornings may be the most hectic part of our weeks, and we arrive at church tired, frazzled and half-hearted, rather than with a spirit of expectation and awe. Sometimes our times of daily worship are merely one more item on our daily checklist, rather than a time of quiet communion with the Father. As we read this passage, we understand what God expects as we prepare for worship – obedience, purity, repentance, and a focus on Him.
When the people of Israel readied themselves to meet God, He showed Himself to them. And there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was God who met them on the mountain! God met His people at Mount Sinai, and He continues to meet His people today.
As you approach times of worship – whether individual or corporate – do so expecting to meet God. His character has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If you prepare yourself to meet God, He will not disappoint. You will encounter the Holy God, and you will never be the same!
Register– Lessons in the BSL series for the winter quarter are being written by Laurie Register, executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union, SCBC.