Wednesday, 16 December 2009 01:00 | and posted in Mount Sinai
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 or we will die.” Exodus 20:18-19
God speaks the first two commandments out loud for the whole Israelite assembly to hear, but then fear overcomes the Israelites and they force Moses to tell them the rest.*
Fear causes the Israelites to stay at a distance rather than enjoy an intimate relationship with God that Moses does. Is there any fear in your life that is causing you to keep God at a distance?
FOOTNOTE:
* Notice the shift between first person to third person between the second and third commandments in Exodus 20:4-7.