Exodus 20:18-20
18‘All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” 20Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” ‘
When our first parents ate of the fruit, they died spiritually. They noticed they were naked and hid from The Lord. Thus came the introduction of shame and guilt. God made an effort to soothe the shame by providing clothes for them. Sin caused a seperation between God and people. Much like ice cannot remain in the presence of heat, so we cannot survive in our sinful state before God. In Exodus 33:20 God says to Moses “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” God did visit Moses in a filtered way. We cannot approach His full glory in our sinful state. I’m not sure if we can see God in His full glory in a redeemed state.
The people of Israel felt, saw and heard the awesomeness that was God. It says they trembled and stood at a distance. It was so intense that they asked Moses to be their representative, otherwise they would die. They wanted to leave. I think of the fight, flight or freeze response. When this happens our minds are overwhelmed and this response is an over ride. It’s so much that we aren’t in tune with our logical side. We can’t try to observe and take scientific readings. Moses stated God’s purpose. They weren’t to be afraid, however, the fear (respect) of Him was to be instilled within.
This brings to light the dichotomy that we have. We have a natural attraction to God, yet our sin produces the shame that causes us to hide. I think of a shy individual who has a crush on another. They greatly desire a relationship, but their timidity keeps them at a distance.
This is why it was necessary for Jesus to die for our sins. He took away the guilt and shame, which makes us fit to enter His presence. In fact, the intimacy is so great that Jesus lives in us (Rev 3:20). God is the same. It’s us who has changed. By receiving forgiveness, the repulsion is removed. Romans 8:15 describes our present reaction to God: ‘For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”‘ It’s our new reflex to reach out to Him.
The before and after contrast is great. The people were in such dread that they wanted to flee for their lives. Now we are like an infant trying to reach out to mother. What a great work that Jesus did. We can retain our respect for Him, yet we can commune with Him anytime.
Thank You God for who You are. Thank You for the craving You put within and the satisfaction of connecting. Help us to stay close to You.