Exodus 20:18-21 – Need for a Mediator
Chapter 20 repeats the description of chapter 19 concerning the shaking and terror of Mount Sinai.
Like the law reflecting God’s character so now at Mount Sinai we have a visible representation of the glory of the invisible God. His majesty, power and holiness are on display. God is a consuming fire.
The people are terrified both by the standards of the law and by the judgment that this holy God would bring down upon them.
This reminds us that we cannot approach God lightly. Especially in light of the law. We are guilty and unrighteous; sinners before a holy God.
And so we need a mediator to approach him.
Verses 19,21, “the people stood far off and said to Moses, “you speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” “The people stood far off while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.”
What God provided for the people in Moses is a shadow of the greater provision of the true mediator – Jesus Christ.
Verse 21 is the climax in this section. Moses goes into the smoke, the thick darkness where God was. It was Jesus Christ who truly went into the darkness for us. He went into the judgment. He experienced the full wrath of the God the Father for our sin.
We can only approach God the Father through Jesus Christ. But unlike Mount Sinai we can approach with confidence because Jesus has opened up the new and living way.
We come to Mount Zion. We come not condemned by the law, because Jesus Christ has taken the condemnation. We come seeking to live the law in response to God’s grace towards us. Hebrews 12:28-29, “…and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Questions
- How would you answer someone who says that the God of the Old Testament is holy, but the God of the New Testament is gracious?
- Why do we need a mediator?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.