In this chapter, Moses gives the Ten Commandments. The first four are ways that we show our love for God, while the others are ways that we can show our love to others. The first commandment God gave to His people was to not have any other gods before Him; they were to worship Him only. He didn’t want to be known as their favorite God, He wanted to be the one and only. His desire was for them to know and love Him with all of their hearts.
As we continue to read this chapter, we find in verses 18-21 that the people had the opportunity to do just that, truly knowing Him. Instead, the people stayed at a distance. The scripture says, when the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us for we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Now, Moses approached the thick darkness where God was, while the people remained at a distance. They saw God’s power and trembled, while Moses saw God’s power and worshipped.
God invited them to come closer, yet they chose to stay at a distance. The mass majority choose to be satisfied at staying at a distance and knowing Him second handedly, rather than approaching the “thickness” where He was. What is it that attracts us to God, but makes us afraid to grow closer to him? Are you willing to step into the “thickness” where He is and pay the price to know Him?
Pastor Anedra
Pastor Anedra