The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We all know somewhere deep in our hearts that God is scary. That's not something we talk about much in church, because it's not politically correct in our churchy circles. Yet the writer of Hebrews said, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Heb. 10:31.
When the people of Israel came to Mt. Sinai, to the place where God had told Moses He would meet with His people, His people were not so anxious to meet with God. Even after God told the people that they were to be His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation, they were commanded to consecrate themselves, but then not allowed to even touch the mountain upon which God would descend lest they die.
Storms are scary. Lightening, thunder, and thick clouds are frightening, and that is how God descended upon the mountain. 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." Wow. God threatened to kill anyone who dared approach Him to look upon Him. That is certainly not the way people think of God these days.
Yet it was under these conditions that God handed down the law, the Ten Commandments as we know them. On a side note, can you recite them 1-10, right now? Most people can't, even though many claim to live by them.We Christians don't live by them by the way, because we do not keep the sabbath, which was the sign of the Old Covenant, but that's a post for another day.
Have you ever wondered why God imposed the law upon His chosen covenant people under such fearful conditions? I think it was because that's the way the law works. The ten commandments were and are law. The other laws Moses passes along in Exodus 21-23 are just out workings of the first ten; practical ways to apply "thou shalt not."
The law scares us because we know it's only a matter of time before we slip up and break it. The law hangs over us waiting to judge, waiting to condemn, waiting to show us just how far short we fall of God's standards.
Breaking the law is a scary, and if you think blue lights flashing in your review mirror, or standing in front of a human judge in Raleigh is a fearful thing, then imagine standing before God, who knows all truth in perfection. We can't pull a fast one on Him. There's no talking our way out of our sins.
I am amazed at just how complacent so many people are these days regarding the holiness and majesty of God. We can be so lackadaisical, so trite, so mundane when approaching God or the things of God. What happened to our reverential fear?
I do not mean to make much of this aspect of God simply to make you want to avoid God, but rather to inspire appreciation for the grace of God we now find in Christ. Where there once was no way to approach God's holiness, there now is a way through Christ. Once where there was only the imminent expectation of judgment, there is now the imminent expectation of our Great Advocate making intercession on our behalf. Once where there was only fear, trembling, and the reality of death, there is boldness to come before the throne of mercy for everlasting life.
This is the gospel. Thank God we are no longer under the law, but now under grace. The law is fulfilled, perfectly, and completely, in Christ, and we are in Him.
This makes me want to worship, sing, praise, and tell everyone this wonderful good news.
Amen Pastor Keith, I agree with you. Through Jesus Christ we can now approach the holiest of holy because we are covered by His precious blood. I pray I will never take that lightly. Isaiah 49:16 See, your name is marked on my hands; your walls are ever before me. I always picture God's hands holding me. I matter to Him and everybody-from every tribe, tongue, nations, status in life. And every time I pray my name lights up on His palms and He knows I am praying to Him. I want to fellowship with Him. You see, every single moment of our life is an opportunity of learning who God is-may we never cease to worship and praise Him. He is our Father, He loves us.
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