In this final message of the series, we look at the scene itself. We forget that the Ten Commandments weren’t delivered in a classroom or as part of a quiet meditation. They were spoken by God in the midst of the ‘divine storm’ which accompanied His presence. It was an event that would certainly be unforgettable. When we look at this scene, four elements stand out.
The first element is the awesome presence, power, and glory of God. This is what dominates the scene. The Lord made Himself present in such a way that would communicate his absolute power, glory, and holiness to the minds and hearts of the ancient Israelites. An important question for us is whether or not we properly honor the glory of the Lord.
The second element of the scene is the fear of the people. The people, understandably, are terrified for their physical lives. But there is also something else which accounts for their fear. This scene illustrates what happens when the holiness of God comes into contact with the sinfulness (or sinful nature) of people. Like Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden after they had disobeyed him, human beings continue to desire to hide from God.
The third element of the scene is the need for a mediator. The Israelites turn to Moses and beg him to be a ‘go-between’ between them and God. They can’t bear the Lord’s holiness and so desire Moses to speak to them instead. They are unable to relate to a divine storm but they are able to relate to a person.
The fourth element of the scene is a picture of the Gospel. God would once again come to earth many years later, this time in the form of a man named Jesus. Jesus exhibited every bit as much power and holiness as the was seen on Mt. Sinai. In addition, Jesus became the ultimate mediator between us and God. He brought us to a better mountain (to God himself) and saved us not by law but by shedding His own blood.
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