Exodus 19:1-25
1On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.”
When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Day 1: Loving God
Reflect:
In Exodus 19, God was beginning to teach his people about His holiness, and that there were requirements and limits that had to be followed. Verses 12-13 says, “And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’” God had chosen Mt. Sinai as the place where he would come
down and speak to his people. The mountain was being set apart. It would become holy because the Lord’s presence on it would make it holy, and it needed to be treated as such.
In a similar way, this reminds us of our call to be holy since the Holy Spirit has been given to us and dwells inside of us. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” We want to live holy lives because the presence of God, His Spirit has been placed in us. It is His strength and power that is at work in us, sanctifying us, and enabling us to live holy for him.
Pray:
• Confess the ways in which you have not lived holy but instead lived like the world.
• Confess how you have viewed and treated God as less important and less holy. Ask God to open your eyes to see His majesty and holiness in greater ways.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit would give you strength to live a holy life, set apart for Him.
• Give thanks to God for his love for you and how He has purchased you for himself.
Day 2: Loving One Another
Reflect:
In verses 4 & 5 we see God’s protection and providence for his people. God cares for his own, and it is by His strength and power that we are kept and protected for His purposes. Jesus says in John 10:29, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
We also see God’s promise to his people in verse 5, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine”. All things and all people are God’s possessions. Of all that He owns, which is everything, God says you will be His treasured ones, His chosen people among all people.
Pray:
• Pray that those who are in a spiritual battle or struggling with spiritual oppression would be reminded of God’s greater power and protection. Pray that they would feel the power available to them through the Holy Spirit, that they would stand firm in the Lord, fight as a warrior of God, and come out of the battle victorious.
• Pray for church members who are going through difficult times that they would see how they are loved and treasured by God, and how He has made them His own.
• Pray that we would see those who are struggling and encourage them by reminding them of God’s strength and His promises given to us.
Day 3: Loving Our Neighbors
Reflect:
God has a purpose for His people, those He has chosen and called out. In verse 6 it says, “and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” A kingdom of priests that mediate the blessings of God to the world. A holy nation that is set apart for God’s glory. Given to the Israelites, this promise and calling is also for believers in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:9-10, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” We were chosen and set apart so that we would be priests for God, serving His love to a broken world. Living as lights in the darkness and as a holy nation among nations in need.
Pray:
• Pray that our members would embrace their calling to be a kingdom of priests, that is to love and serve others as Jesus did and to offer God’s blessings to them.
• Pray that we as Christians would live out our mission to be a holy nation. Created to live in the world but called to live different from the world. Holy, for God’s glory.
• Pray that God would open hearts that do not know Him, that He would open our eyes to those He is calling to himself, and that we would be faithful to speak to them about the love of Jesus Christ.
