How Close Do You Want to Get?
Most of Israel chose to remain in the outer courts of the temple, failing to draw near to God with their hearts. Today believers can walk right into the presence of God because Jesus tore the veil that opened up the way. It’s our right and privilege to do so, but will we heed the invitation? In today’s lessons we will look at the tangible Mount Sinai (where the Law was given) and Mount Zion(the heavenly city of God), which contrast the difference between the old and new covenant.
Read Exodus 19:20-24
1. Why couldn’t the people go up on Mount Sinai? Who was allowed to go up?
2. What would happen if the people forced their way up to the Lord?
Read Hebrews 12:18-21
3. What were the terrifying warnings and penalties of touching Mount Sinai?
Read Hebrews 12:22-24
4. How is Mount Zion described in these verses?
5. List what was waiting for those drawing close to God under the new covenant.
Notice that Mount Sinai is the law, while Mount Zion is grace. One says don’t come; the other, please come. One is fear; the other, joy. One is rigid rule; the other, freedom. One demands to keep a distance; the other says come close enough to kiss. It’s interesting that the word “worship” is interpreted in two different ways in the Hebrew and Greek. In the Old Testament, worship was defined as lowering one’s body to the ground to pay honor or reverence (Strong’s #7812). In the New Testament, the act of worship was defined as getting close enough to kiss, as a dog would lick his master’s hand (Strong’s #4352).
Picture this: Israel cringed in fear at a safe distance from the mountain while God gave Moses the law. We can bow at a safe distance in the same way today. But kissing requires very close contact. How close to you want to get to God? Close enough to escape judgment? Or close enough to kiss and attach your life to the King of Kings to rule your life. It’s here in that intimate communion with God that we experience abundant life. Intimacy with the King is a key to Kingdom living. Where do you prefer to live? How close do you want to get? Stop and think about that!
The people had to get their lives right with the LORD before going upon the Mount – they had to stay and set bounds around the mount and sanctify it – The LORD would break forth upon them. The penalties of touching Mount Sinai – they might be burned with fire – there would be blackness – darkness and tempted – the people could not endure which was commanded – it was very sacred – Moses had fear and quake. They could come to Mount Sinai and unto the city of the Living GOD – heavenly Jerusalem – and many angels. Church of the firstborn – written in heaven – GOD the Judge of all – and spirits of just men made perfect. Jesus who was the mediator of the new covenant and better things to come. I love one is the law and one mount is grace – Law do not come – Grace please come into. I love the question as to just HOW CLOSE DO I WANT TO GET TO GOD? I really want to get as close to GOD as I can in my life today – I love praying – Word of GOD – enjoy all of HIS blessings each day of my life. We must dwell in HIS word each day and communion with HIM each day – what a wonderful thought. I want other people to be able to see GOD working in my life and I want to be a help to other people along the way of life. I want INTIMACY WITH THE KING in my life each day. I believe in ANGELS and I want them in my life today – GOD puts many ANGELS in our lives and sometimes we do not realize it at all – Thanks again – Karen – such a wonderful lesson – so glad to be in your on-line class.
Once again, Karen, thank you for a wonderful lesson. It seems like lately, God is bombarding me with messages on “Grace”. In talking to others, I am thinking this is His message to His church today. I know I have mentioned here before how I struggle with feeling like I’m not doing enough, not praying enough, not reading my Bible enough, and on and on.
We recently had a guest speaker (a rare occurrence), Daniel Brown who served several years at Church On The Way, who has written a book, “Embracing Grace,” which I am in the process of reading. I’m coming to understand that it isn’t about me (imagine that). It is, and always has been only about Him. Praise God!
When I read your study and came to the part about “Grace”, I felt my heart do a flip as, once again, He stirred within me at how much grace He pours out on us each and every day, if we will just open up and accept it. I want to draw in as close to Him as I possibly can.
Again, thank you.