Exodus 19:17 - Homilies By G. A. Goodhart

Prepare to meet thy God.

God's revelation of himself to man is gradual, as man can bear it. [Cf. the way in which a parent reveals himself to his child, Isaiah 28:11 , with stammering lips and a feigned tongue.] Israel had learnt to know God as a deliverer; must learn to know him further as a lawgiver and ruler.

I. THE SCENE . A long, broad valley. Rocks on each side widening out into a natural amphitheatre. Facing down the valley is a steep, precipitous mountain; grey, streaked with red. The whole scene, not unlike, on a huge scale, that presented by the avenues leading up to the Egyptian temples. It is a place where those accustomed to Egypt might expect to meet with God. "Now" probably the people may have thought, "we shall see for ourselves this mysterious Jehovah; he has brought us to his temple; he will introduce us to his shrine."

II. THE MEDIATOR AND HIS MESSAGE . Israel is encamped. Moses ascends the mountain ( Isaiah 28:3 ). Again God meets with him and sends a message by him to the people. Notice:—

1 . Reminder of what he has done for them already ( Isaiah 28:4 ).

2 . Obedience the condition of future favour ( Isaiah 28:5 ). Fulfil the condition and the promise is secure. The earth itself is God's temple; if Israel will obey and keep his covenant they shall be "a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation."

3 . The answer given ( Isaiah 28:8 ). No hesitation, no expression of doubt. The promised blessing so attractive that they are ready to promise anything, never doubting their ability to fulfil their promise. It is easy enough to say " I will"—the hard thing is to translate it into " I do."

III. THE PROMISED INTERVIEW . The people shall be conscious of the presence of their God. Jehovah will publicly attest the authority of his servant, Notice:—

1 . The preparation . God requires it. It is easy for familiarity to breed irreverence; and irreverence soon leads on to low views of the Divine character. Love is degraded into mere kindliness; an easy-going people believe in an easy-going God. See here:—

2 . The revelation . The third day comes ( Hebrews 10:16 ). Storm, sound of trumpet, assembly of people without the camp, trembling, earthquake, intense suspense. "Now surely God will show himself. Can we endure the sight and live?" At length ( Hebrews 10:19 ) "a voice"—cf. Deuteronomy 4:12 ; "no similitude, only a voice." For the present it is enough; reverence is the first lesson those whom God has delivered have to learn; "Hallowed be thy Name" is the first petition they are taught to offer. For effect (cf. Exodus 20:18-22 ) which also teaches the object of the revelation. "That his fear may be before your faces that ye sin not."

Conclusion . We have learnt many more lessons about God than the Israelites could then learn. Have we not too often slurred over or half-forgotten that first lesson?

"Let knowledge grow from more to more,

But more of reverence in us dwell;

That mind and soul, according well,

May make our music as before,

But vaster. We axe fools and slight;

We mock thee when we do not fear;

But help thy foolish ones to bear;

Help thy vain worlds to bear thy light."

— G .