SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025

From a Mountain of Fear to a Relationship of Grace

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:

KEY VERSE: “For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.” (Exodus 19:2, KJV)
TEXT: Exodus 19:1-8
FURTHER READING: 2 Corinthians 3:12-16

MESSAGE: MOUNT SINAI – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The story of Mount Sinai is a foundational moment in the history of Israel and in the grand narrative of God’s interaction with humanity. After their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelites found themselves in the wilderness, on a journey to the Promised Land. It was here, in the desert of Sinai, that God chose to meet with His people in a powerful, awe-inspiring display of His holiness.

Exodus 19 tells us that God commanded the people to prepare themselves to meet with Him on the third day. He instructed them to set boundaries around the mountain, warning them that anyone who touched it would be put to death. This was to signify that the mountain was holy ground, a place reserved for the presence of a holy God.

When God descended on Mount Sinai, the scene was one of overwhelming power and majesty. The air filled with thunder and lightning, the mountain was covered in a thick cloud and smoke, and the ground quaked. The blast of a trumpet grew louder and louder. This terrifying display was meant to impress upon the people the absolute holiness and power of the Lord. It was a visual and auditory lesson on the immense gap between a sinful humanity and a righteous God.

The people, understandably, became so afraid that they begged Moses to be their intermediary. They told him, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:19). God granted their request, and Moses became the bridge between God and the people. He spent a long time on Mount Sinai, receiving the Law directly from God. During this time, Moses was allowed to witness a glimpse of God’s glory.

When Moses came down from the mountain, his face was shining so brightly with the glory of God that the people were afraid to approach him. He had to put a veil over his face to shield them from the divine radiance he carried.

From the Law to Grace

The events at Mount Sinai, while historical, have profound spiritual significance for us today. They represent a period of the law, where access to God was limited, mediated by a priest or a prophet, and guarded by fear and strict rules. The veil that Moses wore over his face symbolizes the spiritual veil that existed between humanity and God. This veil was a barrier, not just to the physical glory of God’s presence, but to a direct and personal relationship with Him.

Today, we can come into a direct, personal relationship with God, not through the law and a veiled face, but because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is our Savior, the ultimate intermediary who came to remove the veil and everything that could hinder us from coming close to God.

The New Testament makes it clear that the veil in the temple was torn in two when Jesus died on the cross (Matthew 27:51). This was a powerful sign that the way to God was now open for all. We no longer need a mountain of fire or a human intermediary with a veil. We can now approach God with boldness and confidence through Jesus Christ.

The Path to a Personal Relationship

To enter into this new, glorious relationship with God, all you need to do is:

Repent from your sin: Acknowledge your wrongdoing and turn away from it.
Open your heart: Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and friend.

Jesus’ sacrifice has made it possible for us to stand in the presence of God, not in fear, but in love and grace. The days of a distant, fearful relationship are over. We are now called to a relationship of intimacy and communion with our Creator.

PRAYER

Lord, please draw me nearer to You. Help me to understand the depth of Your love and to live in the freedom that comes from knowing You personally. Amen.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is the significance of the veil Moses wore over his face?

A: The veil Moses wore symbolizes the spiritual veil that existed between God and the people of Israel under the law. It represents the separation that sin created, and it shows that the glory of God was inaccessible to the people in its fullness.

Q2: How did the events at Mount Sinai show God’s character?

A: The events at Mount Sinai showed God’s character as both holy and powerful. The thunder, fire, and smoke demonstrated His immense authority, while His willingness to give His people the law showed His desire for a relationship with them.

Q3: How does Jesus relate to the story of Mount Sinai?

A: Jesus is the fulfillment of the law given at Mount Sinai. He is our ultimate Mediator and High Priest, who, through His death on the cross, removed the veil and all barriers that stood between us and God, allowing us to have a direct relationship with Him.

Question and Answer

Q1: According to the text, what was the reason God told the people to stay away from Mount Sinai?

A: God told them to stay away because it was holy ground, and anyone who touched it would be put to death.

Q2: How did the people of Israel react to God’s appearance on Mount Sinai?

A: The people became so afraid that they asked God to speak only to Moses and let Moses be their intermediary.

Q3: What happened to Moses’ face after he came down from the mountain?

A: His face was shining with the glory of God, and he had to put a veil over it to keep from frightening the people.

Q4: How can we come into a relationship with God today, according to the article?

A: We can come into a relationship with God by repenting from our sins and opening our hearts to receive Jesus as our personal Savior and friend.