The Jesse Tree: Day 10
GIVING THE TORAH AT SINAI
Santa Claus has a warm personality. Accounts describing him always use the same stock phrases: red suit, funny hat, big white beard, and a love for whole milk and sugar cookies. Not to mention eyes that twinkle, cheeks like roses, and a droll little mouth drawn up like a bow. Occasionally, we see hints of majesty revealed in his persona, but ordinarily, Santa is jolly, warm, and soft.
Apart from his list-keeping habits, hardly someone to dread or lose sleep over.
Sometimes we understand God in the same way. It’s easy to highlight the warm aspects of his nature, his love, mercy, and compassion, to the neglect of his majesty and holiness. But in doing so, we soften God, and our revision leaves us with a God more aligned to Old Saint Nick than the Bible’s portrayal.
When giving the 10 Commandments, God revealed himself according to his majesty, in a terrifying fashion, to stress the necessity of obedience.
As the Israelites gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai, thick clouds swirled in the sky, darkening the land. Constant flashes broke the darkness as bright bolts of lightning swarmed the mountain, appearing and disappearing, and then appearing again. The ground shook as thunder slammed, and great blasts of some harsh, regal noise like a trumpet blared, deafening their ears. And as God descended on the mountain, smoke rose like a kiln, funneling into the sky and veiling his presence. Then God spoke, proclaiming the 10 Commandments from the mountain top in the hearing of all Israel.
In absolute terror, they stood at the bottom, overwhelmed by the indescribable majesty of God. Moses told them what was happening.
Apart from his list-keeping habits, hardly someone to dread or lose sleep over.
Sometimes we understand God in the same way. It’s easy to highlight the warm aspects of his nature, his love, mercy, and compassion, to the neglect of his majesty and holiness. But in doing so, we soften God, and our revision leaves us with a God more aligned to Old Saint Nick than the Bible’s portrayal.
When giving the 10 Commandments, God revealed himself according to his majesty, in a terrifying fashion, to stress the necessity of obedience.
As the Israelites gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai, thick clouds swirled in the sky, darkening the land. Constant flashes broke the darkness as bright bolts of lightning swarmed the mountain, appearing and disappearing, and then appearing again. The ground shook as thunder slammed, and great blasts of some harsh, regal noise like a trumpet blared, deafening their ears. And as God descended on the mountain, smoke rose like a kiln, funneling into the sky and veiling his presence. Then God spoke, proclaiming the 10 Commandments from the mountain top in the hearing of all Israel.
In absolute terror, they stood at the bottom, overwhelmed by the indescribable majesty of God. Moses told them what was happening.
“Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”
Exodus 20:20
Exodus 20:20
To be in a relationship with God, holiness and obedience were required. So instead of simply providing the rules, God also clarified exactly who’d they be offending when they broke them. In displaying his terrifying majesty and holiness, he made abundantly clear the severity of sin and the necessity of obedience.
On the mountain, God came in the fullness of glory. But years later, God came inconspicuously. Instead of arriving in flamboyant expressions of might, Jesus came cloaked in weakness. The fullness of God lying in a manger, a helpless babe.
He did so to cover our shortcomings, to provide for our failures in obedience. Being the Law giver himself, he was also its fulfillment. One day, he will come again. But this time, instead of a quiet, discreet arrival, he will come in the fullness of glory and majesty. And it will be anything but soft.
On the mountain, God came in the fullness of glory. But years later, God came inconspicuously. Instead of arriving in flamboyant expressions of might, Jesus came cloaked in weakness. The fullness of God lying in a manger, a helpless babe.
He did so to cover our shortcomings, to provide for our failures in obedience. Being the Law giver himself, he was also its fulfillment. One day, he will come again. But this time, instead of a quiet, discreet arrival, he will come in the fullness of glory and majesty. And it will be anything but soft.
Pause to reflect
How have you softened your understanding of God?
In what areas of life do you need to make changes to give reverence to Christ and live in greater obedience?
In what areas of life do you need to make changes to give reverence to Christ and live in greater obedience?
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