It’s good to reflect on all that God has done and that He does for us still, every day. Highly trained astronauts experience the awe that comes from seeing our beautiful planet from space suspended and held by design so elegant our minds can’t comprehend it fully. I can’t help but consider all the ways that God has interacted so far in Scripture. Walking with Adam and Eve in the garden, then clothing them when they hid from Him in fear and in articles made from leaves. Talking with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with the added experience of wrestling with Jacob through a night. Directing Noah in the building of an Ark to sustain humanity and animals through a flood that destroyed all flesh. Leading a nation of slaves to freedom and providing water, shelter, manna, quail….direction. And now they are arrived at Mt. Sinai. In the commentary below: Mount Sinai (also called Mount Horeb) is one of the most sacred locations in Israel’s history. Located in the south-central Sinai peninsula, this mountain is where Moses met God in a burning bush, God made his covenant with Israel, and Elijah heard God in the gentle whisper. Here God gave his people the laws and guidelines for right living. They learned the potential blessings of obedience (34:4-28) and the tragic consequences of disobedience (34:7).

I try to imagine what it would have been like to be arriving at this mountain. I noticed that Moses begins to speak to the people without Aaron helping him. Maybe he felt more confident being back where he first encountered God in the bush that burned without being destroyed? Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” v. 3-6. They were told to wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in sight of all the people. v. 10. The Lord will come down. They have experienced His miracles and have seen the plagues He wrought on Egypt. They are warned not to approach the mountain before time or let their livestock approach the mountain before time.

On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. v. 16-19.

Can you begin to imagine what that would have been like? Even the mountain trembled violently. Smoke billowed up. The trumpet grew louder and louder.

I have known God since I was a child and loved Him as only a child could. Trusting love. As a teenager I experienced moments of turning away in all of my teenage sophistication that lasted only until I felt His loving presence right there protecting me from harm. I have loved Him through every stage of my life and my experience of Him has changed and deepened as I called out to Him to let me know Him. I know that not only Mount Sinai but the whole Earth will one day tremble violently at the mighty trumpet blasts. He showed Himself to Israel in His mighty Holiness and great power. He was speaking to an entire nation who needed Him just as we need Him today. Never forget that God is Holy and He created everything that is including us. His power can shake the entire Earth. He set limits so the people would be protected v. 21. He protected them from harm should they be careless. Are we careless? For this is what the Lord says – he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited – he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” Isaiah 45:18-19.

The Children of Israel were poised to hear God speak truth. Us today? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” (Haggai 2:6). The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Deuteronomy 4:24) Hebrews 12:26-29.

God has always protected us from loving and clothing Adam and Eve even though they turned away from Him; to protecting the Israelites from carelessly approaching Him and being harmed by His holy power that was too strong for them; to guiding us today and bringing us closer to Him in a communion of love. He speaks to our hearts in ways our hearts recognize. Open your heart and listen. Never forget His holiness and worship Him acceptably with reverence and awe…and never forget how much He loves us…His treasured possession. This present age will be shaken to remove what can be be shaken…sin and our slavery to sin…because we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Thank you, Lord God, for so great a love for us.