Bible Study - Holy - Called to Holiness - Exodus 19:1-19 - April 7, 2013

Bible Study – Holy – Called to Holiness – April 7, 2013

This is lesson one in our series entitled “Holy God, Holy People.”

Our scripture for this lesson is Exodus 19:1-6, 10-14, 16-19.

The scripture basis for the remaining three (3) studies during the month will be taken from Leviticus.

Exodus 2:11-12:

11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.

GOD made Moses a promise. When GOD had accomplished the deliverance of the Israelites through Moses, GOD would bring Moses and the Israelites back to this very mountain. GOD was assuring Moses of success. This would be a faith builder for Moses as he built an intimate relationship with GOD. This is often how GOD works in the lives of HIS children. HE calls them to a task that only HE can accomplish through those HE calls. The journey is interactive with GOD, which builds confidence, trust and a solid relationship. It allows one seeking GOD to get to know HIM and not just know about HIM.

We see in verse 1 of our scripture that GOD is true to HIS Word. Moses and the Israelites returned to the very mountain where GOD promised Moses that he would return with the Israelites. Victory is always the result when GOD leads those HE calls. Getting back to the mountain was not easy but it was a learning experience which revealed many attributes and characteristics of GOD.  

To me the hallmark of this lesson is found in verses 5 and 6 in our scripture.

Let’s read Exodus 19:1-6:

Israel at Sinai

1 In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai.

The timing of GOD is astounding. HE had the Israelites to arrive back at the mountain where HE had called Moses on the same day of the third month. Three is generally considered by the Jews as a number for completion.

2 After they departed from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain.a Ex 3:1; 17:1,8

They are camped in front of Mount Sinai, also referred to as Mount Horeb. The King James Version of the Bible refers to this area as wilderness and desert. GOD led them to the place that HE had promised Moses. They would come back to Mount Sinai after HE delivered them from Egyptian bondage. But this would also be the place where GOD would train them and prepare them to enter the Promised Land. The wilderness and desert is often where we learn to trust GOD. I don’t like it but it is effective.

This is so true today. Often, Christians have to go to boot camp, so-to-speak, to build the right relationship with GOD in order for them to be prepared to obediently serve HIM and enter their Promised Land.

GOD called Moses and gave him a message for the Israelites.

3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord calledb Ex 3:4; Ac 7:38 to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob, and explain to the Israelites:
4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me.c Dt 29:2; Isa 63:9

GOD told Moses to remind them of their lineage. They are descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; therefore, they are also under the covenant that GOD had made with Abraham. They had witnessed the manifestation of GOD and HIS power and might in their lives over the past 3 months. They had been delivered from Egyptian bondage, the sea had parted, and they had been led by GOD as represented by the cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night. GOD had revealed Himself not only to Moses but to them. GOD had been their deliverer. HE had delivered them from what could have been a bloody battle just as an eagle swoops down to catch its young when they are being taught how to fly. The eagle catches the young eaglets as they fall out of the comfort and safety of their nest. This is how they learn to fly. As they fall the mother eagle swoops down and catches them on the top of their wings and carries them to safety. The eagle carries its prey in its talons.

GOD is ready to lift HIS children from the dangers that they could encounter as HE trains them to obediently serve HIM.

5 Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant,d Ex 15:26; Dt 5:2 you will be My own possessione Dt 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps 135:4; Tit 2:14 out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine,
6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’f Dt 26:19; Isa 62:12; 1Pt 2:5,9 These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

As I mentioned above, this scripture is the hallmark for both Jews and Christians. It reveals the love of GOD toward HIS chosen. HE used the word “listen”, which carries the idea of effective listening. Listen carefully to HIM so you will understand, comprehend and have the proper perception of what GOD is calling you to do.

HE used the word “possession” but the King James Version used the words “A Peculiar Treasure.” Did you know that GOD considers you HIS “Treasure?” HE stated that “All the earth is Mine” but “HIS chosen” are HIS personal possessions. GOD delights in you.

GOD’S intent for HIS chosen people is to be priests. The Jews were GOD’S chosen then and after the crucifixion and resurrection of CHRIST, Christians are HIS chosen under the new covenant. Christianity is available to all people regardless of race. All who accept CHRIST as their Savior are GOD’S chosen.

GOD made a covenant with the Israelites. Covenants can be drawn up between two parties of equal rank but a covenant can be made between a person of higher or superior rank, power and authority with those of lesser standing. A king could make a covenant with a subject or subjects. In the case of a person superior to the other person, the ranking person sets forth HIS expectations. As in this case, GOD sets forth HIS expectations for HIS people.  

GOD’S plan is for the Jews to be priests, who are to represent GOD to the world. HIS plan was for the Israelites to be looked upon by all people and nations as a Holy nation. The same is true for all Christians. It is called the priesthood of the believer. The Apostle Peter records this concept and applies it to Christians in 1 Peter 2:9-10:

They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destinedv Ac 2:23; 4:27-28; Rm 9:22; 11:7; Jd 4 for this.

9 But you are a chosen race,w Or generation, or nationx Dt 7:6; 10:15; Isa 43:20y Dt 7:6; 10:15; Isa 43:20 LXX  a royal priesthood,z Isa 61:6; Rv 1:6; 5:10; 20:6a   Ex 19:6; 23:22 LXX; Isa 61:6a holy nation,b Ex 19:6c   Ex 19:6; 23:22 LXX a people for His possession,d Ex 34:9; Dt 7:6; Ps 33:12; Isa 43:21; Tit 2:14e  Ex 19:5; 23:22 LXX; Dt 4:20; 7:6; Isa 43:21 LXXso that you may proclaim the praisesf Or the mighty deedsg Isa 42:12; 43:21h  Isa 42:12; 43:21of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.i Isa 9:2; Ac 26:18; Eph 5:8; Col 1:12-13
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy,j  Mt 5:7; Mk 5:19; Lk 1:50but now you have received mercy.

GOD’S plan for the Israelites and Christians is for them to be a royal priesthood, forming a Holy nation (the living church) proclaiming and obediently serving GOD. HIS chosen are to proclaim HIM and reveal the light of CHRIST. Christians are called to be priests and magnify the presence of GOD to all people. JESUS stated in John 14:12-14:

12 “•I assure you: The one who believes in Mew Jn 6:35 will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these,x Jn 5:20 because I am going to the Father.y Jn 7:33; 13:1,3; 16:5,10,17,28; 17:11,13; 20:17
13 Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorifiedz Jn 11:4; 17:1; 1Pt 2:12 in the Son.a Jn 5:19
14 If you ask Meb Other mss omit Me anything in My name,c Jn 10:25 I will do it.d Other mss omit all of v. 14e

GOD’S plan was for Christians to receive HIS power and for them to be made in the image of CHRIST through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Just think, if every Christian was yielded to GOD their Father like JESUS was, they would evangelize the world. But most of us have failed to yield fully to the call of GOD to be the priests HE intended. Just ponder what it would mean to the world if every Christian yielded themselves to GOD and told HIM, here I am, as I am, make out of me what YOU want me to be. 

7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him.
8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.”g Ex 24:3,7; Dt 5:27 So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord.
9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud,h Ex 24:15-16; Mt 17:5 so that the people will hear when I speaki Dt 4:12,36; Jn 12:29 with you and will always believe you.” Then Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord.

Moses delivered GOD’S message to the elders and the people. They all responded that they would do what GOD had requested. They were ready. GOD even told Moses to tell the people that HE would speak to them out of a dense cloud. GOD wanted the people to be fully aware of HIS presence and to confirm that Moses was speaking to the true GOD Who had chosen Israel. HE was their GOD and very real. HE was not an inanimate object. HE was real and alive but also Holy. They must treat HIM with respect and honor HIS Holiness and Righteousness.

Let’s read Exodus 19:10-15:

10 And the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothesj Gn 35:2; Lv 11:44-45; Heb 10:22
11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.k Ex 19:16; 34:5
12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain will be put to death.l Heb 12:20
13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows. No animal or man will live. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.”
14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
15 He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.”

GOD established guidelines for the Israelites to approach HIM. GOD is Holy and even through the Israelites were GOD’S chosen people, they had to realize that HE was pure, righteous and Holy and they were not. They had to approach HIM on HIS terms. HE wanted them to realize that the washing of their clothes made their clothes clean. It was a foreshadow of pointing them toward being righteous. The shedding of the blood of a perfect animal cleansed them of their sins. These three days were days of preparation depicting the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS, Who would give HIS life to pay the debt for sin. GOD’S plan for salvation is based upon HIS terms.

This is true for salvation today. JESUS said in John 14:6:

6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

People can argue all they want to but truth is truth. Do you want to receive salvation and forgiveness for your sins and receive eternal death? Then ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins, repent (which means stop sinning) and ask CHRIST to come into your life. When you do, you receive the miracle of rebirth, receive the gift of eternal life, the miracle of rebirth and become a child of GOD with full rights and privileges as GOD’S child.

The people were to consecrate or sanctify themselves. This meant that they had to set themselves apart or to withdraw from the routines of life and focus upon meeting GOD. GOD did not want them to be distracted by anything, including sex.

GOD established boundaries for the people then but because of CHRIST, Christians can approach GOD 24/7. We still need to show HIM honor and respect but HE is our Father through CHRIST and the miracle of rebirth. 

Let’s read Exodus 19:16-19:

16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp shuddered.
17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire.m Ex 3:2; 24:17; Dt 4:11; 2Ch 7:1 Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace,n Ps 144:5; Rv 15:8 and the whole mountain shook violently.o Jdg 5:5; Ps 68:7; Jr 4:24; Heb 12:26
19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.p

When I read all of this I thought of both the wrath and love of GOD. The old saying, “Where there is smoke there is fire.” Fire cleanses. Thunder and lightning to me depicted the power and wrath of GOD. The fact that GOD came to them reveals HIS love and HIS willingness to come to all who seek HIM.

True to HIS word, on the third day, GOD came just as HE said HE would. GOD keeps HIS promises and covenants. HE revealed to the prophets hundreds of years ago that HE was going to send the Messiah. HE gave details, all of which were fulfilled by JESUS.

Moses spoke and GOD answered him. GOD came to them shrouded behind a cloud because no one can see GOD’S face and live. Notice, GOD came when it was morning. I believe, this was a foreshadow of the resurrection of JESUS. Mary saw JESUS early in the morning. JESUS was not concealed behind a cloud but was clearly visible for all to see. HE was approachable. Rather than having to prepare to meet HIM, HE accepts all who will come to HIM as they are and HIS shed blood cleanses all who place their faith in HIM and makes them whiter than snow. JESUS makes it possible for all Christians to approach GOD their Father 24/7.

GOD’S desire for all HIS children is for them to be priests who obediently serve HIM. Priests are GOD’S representatives. Christians are called to holiness. The shed blood of CHRIST cleanses Christians from all their sins – past, present and future. This is not a license to go sin but the freedom to build an intimate relationship with GOD and to obediently serve HIM. With freedom comes responsibility and accountability. As Christians, do we use our freedom to go serve the world or to obediently serve GOD as HIS priests in the power and through the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Christians are called to Holiness!

Blessings!!!