Genesis 12:2a (3)

Genesis Study 90

A NATION WITH A GREAT MISSION

Genesis 12:2a
Key verse 12:2a
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;"

Last week we studied about God's promise to Abraham: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you." A great nation is a nation with a great population, a great truth and a great mission. Today we want to study the third point: a nation with a great mission.

What is a mission? A mission is a work. But it is different from ordinary works. Say, "I have lots of works to do today—shopping, washing clothes, sending emails and playing football." These are works to do. But can we say they are a mission? A mission is something very important and official. Originally the word 'mission' is derived from the word 'sent'. So a mission is something for which a person is sent by a higher authority. Sometimes we hear news that commandos were sent for a rescue mission to save hostages. A mission is something very critical that it is to be accomplished as the matter of life and death. So the greater mission the greater sacrifice. But when accomplished there comes great honour and glory.
Many people think a mission is only for missionaries or special commandos. But let's read Genesis 1:28. "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'" The first man Adam was given a mission to take care of all the living creatures of the world. And the Bible calls this mission God's blessing. So a mission is blessing. When Adam sinned and was cursed by God, two things were taken away from him: eternal life and the mission. Therefore life without a mission is a cursed life. When we believe in Jesus, he restores two things for us: eternal life and God's mission.
Why did God give a mission to Adam and all his descendants?
First, it is because God trusted them. When we trust someone we can entrust an important task to him. If we have received any task from God it is because he trusts us.
Second, God wanted Adam and his descendants to be different from animals. Animals also know how to get foods, how to play, how to support their own family members, how to communicate among themselves, how to learn from their elders and how to adjust in a new environment. They are not as smart as we are but the basic form of their lives is quite similar to ours. However there are two things that make men distinct from all other living creatures: One is worship and the other a mission. A chimpanzee may drive a car and a parrot may speak like a man. But have you ever seen any animal that prays to God and serves his mission? There are shepherd dogs that carry out a mission to keep sheep. It is because they are trained by men. But if not trained, they will be as ferocious as wolves. Why is none of the animals able to carry out a mission by itself? A mission comes from God. And God gives a mission to those who know him. But animals do not know God. Is this only the case of animals? No. If a man does not know God, he will not have a mission. And if he does not have a mission, we know what kind of life he will live. What made Adam a true man was his mission.
Third, it is because God wanted Adam and all his descendants to be great. In strength Adam was weaker than the tigers, the bears and the lions. In height he was shorter than the giraffes. Horses ran much faster than him, eagles looked down him from the sky and peacocks were much more colourful than him. In many ways he was inferior to other animals. But God gave him a mission to rule over all the living creatures and take care of them. God gifted him with intelligence and many other talents to carry out the mission. Adam could be greater than all other creatures only because of the mission God gave him.

Now let's think about Abram. He did not know the true God. So he did not know what mission he should carry out. How then was his life without a mission?
First, instead of studying God's will, he studied people's faces. All he wanted was to please others and get their recognition. Teachers trusted him and gave him some important tasks in his class. After graduation customers trusted him and gave him good business items. But he did not receive any task from God because his trust relationship with God was zero.
Second, his life was not different from that of animals in Ur and Haran. As the dogs of Ur fought for the best territory, Abram competed hard to enter the top college in the country. And as the squirrels of Haran collected acorns day and night, Abram accumulated possessions and acquired servants in the city. The love of the pigeons in Ur was as dear as Abram's love for Sarai. When he became old his body was as heavy as the old donkeys of Haran. Someday he would die like his pet dog that had already left him.
Third, Abram's life became meaningless without a mission. Many people in Ur and Haran remembered him as a noble person. But after his death, he would soon be forgotten from the memory of the people. Abram rejoiced over the new house he purchased in Haran. But when his business failed or he died, it would be taken by someone else. He helped the needy in the slums but they too would die someday. Abram was proud of being the citizen of his country. But after some years his country would fall and disappear in history. There was a king who had greatest wealth, wisdom, knowledge and fame along with thousand wives. His name was Solomon. He enjoyed everything without serving a mission from God. At the end of his life he confessed, "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:2) Life without a mission seems to be enjoyable. But in reality it is the most meaningless life. Even if a man has everything, if he does not have a mission from God, he is living the most cursed life.

Now God promised to make Abram into a great nation—a nation that would serve a great mission from God. What was the mission Abram received from God? It was to set free all mankind from the power of sin and death through Jesus Christ. When the people are brought to God through Jesus Christ, they will live in God's kingdom forever. Then Abram will be remembered and his life will remain most meaningful in eternity. God gave Abram a great mission because he wanted Abram to be the greatest not only on the earth but also in heaven, not only in his life time but also in eternity he to be the greatest. When God said to Abram, "I will make you into a great nation," he meant to say, "I will not only give you a great mission but also enable you to accomplish it." Mission accomplished—this is the greatest blessing from God. Abram had no ability to have even one child throughout his life. But God would raise a great nation through him—a nation that would be as numerous as the stars, a nation that would live according to the truth of God and a nation that would carry out a great mission to save all mankind.
Today God says to each us, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you." We are not able to raise even one disciple of Jesus with our own strength. But God gave us the mission not to check our ability but to enable us to accomplish it. He gave us the mission not to burden us but to make us great in his sight. Therefore no matter how weak we may be God will surely enable us to raise numerous campus souls. And they will become a great nation that will obey the truth of God and serve his mission all over the world. With this hope let us be faithful to the tasks God has given us in each day. Then God will make us into a great nation.

Genesis 12:2a (2)

Genesis Study 89

A NATION WITH A GREAT TRUTH

Genesis 12:2a
Key verse 12:2a
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;"

Last week we studied about God's promise to Abraham: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you." A great nation is a nation with a great population, a great truth and a great mission. Today we want to study the second point: a nation with a great truth.

As God had promised, Abram would surely become a nation with a great population. His descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. What a great blessing for a childless man like Abram! But there is a problem. What if his descendants become evil? Suppose his son becomes a playboy and his grandchildren gangsters and his great grandchildren murderers. The more they increase in number the more troubles they will bring into the world. Is this a blessing? It is a curse.
So here comes God's true blessing. He would bless Abram not only with a great population but also with a great truth. God would grow Abram as a man of truth and his descendants as a nation of truth. But what is truth? Truth is a fact. And fact is something that really exists or something that has happened. There is Christ College in front of our Bible house and also Forum next to our Bible house. We have purchased a computer and a guitar. All these are facts. But do we say they are truth? What if tomorrow Forum collapses? December is the coldest month. This fact is true in India. But it is the hottest month in Australia. Tandoori chicken is the best Indian dish. This is true to my tongue. But about to the vegetarians? When facts are true only for certain period or in certain places or to certain people, they cannot be truth. Therefore truth is facts that remain true in all times and in all places, in all circumstances and to all people.
Everyone builds his life on the facts that he believes true. Some builds his life on a beautiful girl friend believing that her love for him will never be changed. Some builds his life on job career believing that the more he is promoted and earns money the happier he will be. Some builds his life on enjoying with friends believing that his friendship will be forever. The facts on which we build our lives are like the foundation of a house. But if the foundation is as shaky as sand, what will happen to the house? A wise man builds his house on a foundation which is as hard as a rock. In other words he builds his life on the facts that will be true forever.
While living in Ur Abram had built his life on idol worshipping believing that those idols were real gods. From childhood he saw his parents worshipping idols. In schools he saw the teachers conducting rituals to the idols. Before joining his college he offered special gift to his most favourite idol. When he married he and his wife visited the most famous temple and wished their happy life. He kept idols in his bedroom, kitchen, cart and office. When he did not have a child he worshipped idols all the more. He never doubted those idols were false gods because everyone was worshipping them. Even though the idols could not listen or speak or move, he believed that real gods were behind them. In one hand he was afraid of their curse and on the other hand he expected their blessings.
But one day he met the true God. He said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." God was saying, "Abram, leave your idol worshipping life and go to the land where you will worship me, the true God." Suddenly Abram realized that he had been building his life on the facts that were not true. God helped him build his life on worshipping the true God.
When Abram reached Haran, he started to accumulate possessions and acquire servants. Everyday he was busy with shopping and taking insurance policies. He began to build his life on worldly possessions believing that they would be forever. Then God gave him the same command: "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." God was saying, "Abram, leave your material-centred life and go to the land where you will live only by faith and store your treasures in heaven. This will remain forever." Abram always tried to build his life on the things that were going to perish someday. But God helped him build his life on the things that would remain forever. God would do the same thing to all his descendants.
In our times technology has become a religion. People believe that world-leading technologies will make their nation rich and powerful. Those who have developed such technologies are treated like gods. People put all their hope on them. They believe military technology will guarantee national security and gene technology will set them free from diseases and even from death. They envy those who have advanced software technologies. But we should know that all the technologies have a very short life span and also serious side-effects. Nuclear technology generates electricity. But it is also used for mass destruction. Network technology connects the world. But it spoils young people with lewd pictures and games. What people boast about today will wither tomorrow. The Bible says, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." The truth is something that stands forever. And the Bible says the word of the Lord stands forever. Therefore life that is built on the word of God will stand forever. A man or a nation that is built on the word of God will never be shaken. He and the nation will stand firm even in the days of God's judgment. A great nation is a nation that is built on the truth of God.
What is the basis of your life? On what foundation do you build your daily life? Where do you spend most of your time in each day? In playing computer games? In watching TV programs? In sleeping? In shopping? In playing with friends? In preparing cultural programs? In running after a beautiful girl or a handsome boy? In getting good marks and good jobs? A house built on a firm foundation is the safest shelter. But a house built on a shaky foundation is the most dangerous thing. When it collapses everyone in it will be crushed to death.
God says to us, "Take my word as the foundation of your life. Then I will make you into a great nation." How can we take God's word as the foundation of our lives? Bible testimony writing is one of the best ways to build our lives on the truth of God. While writing Bible testimony we can see our true-selves before God and repent from the heart. Then God will make us into a great nation, a nation with his great truth.

Genesis 12:2a (1)

Genesis Study 88

A NATION WITH A GREAT POPULATION

Genesis 12:2a
Key verse 12:2a
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;"

Last year we studied about God's command to Abram: "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." In history so many people studied this word. But very few obeyed it. I suppose we all know why. How hard it is to leave our bedrooms and come to this Bible house. How tough it is to leave our worldly friends and stay closely with God and his people. How difficult it is to leave our worry for job and keep trusting in the Lord. God commanded Abram to start a completely new life. How could Abram obey such a hard command?
Many people who studied verse 1 did not leave their old lives. They stayed back and became worse. They did not give up their worldly friends or worldly values system. Instead they left the word of God and went back to their past lives. We have studied verse 1 for four weeks. But we still find it hard to write Bible testimony and attend its sharing meeting. We may have many words to say. But God's command is clear: "Leave your old life and go to the land of God's word." If we study hard it guaranties a good mark. If we work extra hours in a company it guaranties extra money. But even if we spend hours for testimony writing and sharing, it guaranties nothing. It seems we are wasting our time and energy. But why should we leave our old lives and go to the land of God's word?
The answer is in verses 2 and 3. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." If verse 1 is God's command, verses 2 and 3 are God's promise. Abram could obey God's command because he had faith in God's promise. Faith is a bridge between God's command and God's promise. No matter how hard God's command is, if we have faith in God's promise we can obey it. So the real problem is not the hardness of God's command but our faith in God's promise. How then can we have faith in God's promise? Romans 10:17 says, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Faith does not come from self-determination. "A hopeful new year has begun. This year I will live only by faith. Amen." But after three days, we forget what we decided. Real faith comes from hearing the word of God. If we want to obey verse 1, we must listen to verses 2 and 3 with all our hearts.
Let's read verses 2 and 3. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." These are the very words that moved Abram's heart so greatly that he gladly obeyed God's command. God knows how hard it was for Abram to leave his country, his people and his father's household. In fact God knows how hard it is for us to leave our rooms and come to this Bible house. But why is he continually commanding us to leave our old lives and go to the land of his word? It is because he wants to bless us. How much does God want to bless us? Let's see how much God blessed Abram.
First, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you." God's first blessing was to make Abram into a great nation. Abram's native nation was a superpower in those days. The nation enjoyed the blessing of the two great rivers: the Euphrates and the Tigris. A historian said, "In former days the vast plains of Babylon were nourished by a complicated system of canals and water-courses, which spread over the surface of the country like a network. The wants of a teeming population were supplied by a rich soil. The groves of palm-trees and pleasant gardens afforded the travellers a grateful and highly-valued shade. Crowds of passengers hurried to and from the busy city. The land was rich in corn and wine." The nation had many colonies on its both sides. (Genesis 14:1-12) It was a giant in world politics and a dinosaur in world economics. But God commanded Abram to leave his country and his people. If Abram obeyed this command, God would make him into a great nation. Was God going to make another superpower like Abram's native nation? What did he mean by a great nation?
It is a nation with a great population, a great truth and a great mission. Today we will think about the first point: a nation with a great population. Now China has 1.4 billion populations and India more than 1 billion. How many populations was God talking about? 2 billions? Or 10 billions? In Genesis 15, the Lord said to Abram, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be." God was talking about the populations as numerous as the stars in the sky. At present, Abram did not have even one child. He was already 75 years old and his wife was barren. But God promised to make him into a great nation that would have people as numerous as the stars in the sky. After 25 years God would grant Abram one son. Then again after 430 years he would multiply Abram's descendants to 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. (Exodus 12:37) After Jesus' coming to this world, all believers have become Abraham's spiritual descendants. (Galatians 3:7) Even today the numbers are increasing in every corner of the world. When all Abram's descendants are gathered in heaven, how many will they be? Apostle John saw the scene in advance in a vision and said, "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9) India has the second largest population in the world. But compared to the population of Abram's nation, India's population will be as small as the number of my family. This is the scale of God's blessing. Our life span is too short to see the promise of God to come true in its full scale.
In the last days all the dead will rise to life and there will be a great gathering of all the believers of Jesus Christ in heaven. I am sure Abram will be greatly surprised and ask God, "Lord, who are they? Where are they from?" Then God will say to him, "My son, do you remember my first command?" "Yes, I do." "And do you remember," says the Lord, "my promise that I would make you into a great nation?" "Yes, I do. But I saw only my son Isaac and his two sons. I died when my grandsons were 15 years old. But who are these people? I even cannot see the end of this congregation." Then God will take Abram to his bosom and whisper to his ear, "These are the people who were blessed through you. All of them are your sons and daughters." Wow! Abram believed God would make him into a great nation. But he could have never imagined this much. But this much was what God meant. Abram's native country was destroyed by invaders and its nation dispersed. It is not possible to trace them back. But the nation God raised through Abram is ever increasing. Neither wars nor diseases, neither famine nor flood, neither demons nor death will be able to decrease its population. Not even one person in Abram's nation will be lost. They will all be in heaven to live with God forever.
People hesitate to obey God because they think God's blessing may not be so great. So they fear more to lose their worldly possessions than to lose God's blessing. A friend or a job seems to be more precious and realistic. But what we have today may not be with us tomorrow and can never be with us forever. On the contrary God's blessing will surely come true and never go away. God says to us today, "Leave your old life and go to the land I will show you. Then I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you." The friends we are cherishing so dearly, the jobs we are seeking so hard and the human recognition we are running after everyday will be vanished like a mist. But what about God's promise? The Bible says, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." (1 Peter 1:24,25a)
Our shepherds committed their lives to God. Some left Korea and some Delhi and came down to Bangalore in obedience to God's calling. They left their people and made God's children as their own people. They left their fathers' households to be with God's family. Instead of being busy with worldly affairs, they want to be busy with God's word and God's flock. They haven't seen many spiritual descendants in their life time. But they keep on serving God by faith in his promise. When they reach heaven they will share Abram's surprise and ask the same question, "Lord, I raised just one disciple and saw him raising two. But who are all these people I am seeing now?" They will hear the same answer from the Lord. Do you want to be a father of a great nation raised by God? Or do you want to be a father of a small family that will vanish someday? May God review our hope and help us go to the land of his word everyday. He will surely make us into a great nation.

Exodus 19:1-25

New Year Lecture 2006

A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, A HOLY NATION

Exodus 19:1-25
Key verse 19:5,6a
"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'"

Last year we could start our spiritual journey based on 1 Peter 2: 2 which reads "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." God's word is pure spiritual milk. God blessed us to grow in his word. Let's crave the word of God all the more this year. Today we have just started a new year journey. I pray God may grant us clear spiritual direction through today's study and guide us throughout this year.

Exodus is the second book of the Bible. In Genesis God called Abram with a promise, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." At the age of hundred, Abraham could have a son Isaac. And Isaac had two sons: Jacob and Esau. And Jacob had twelve sons who later went down to Egypt because of a severe famine in Canaan. There the story of Genesis ends. Then the book of Exodus continues its story. The family of Jacob greatly multiplied in number in Egypt until they formed a nation that is Israel. The Egyptians came to dread the Israelites because of their super fast increasing population. Then the natives oppressed the aliens. When their oppression was so severe, the Israelites cried out for help. Hearing their cries God raised Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. God inflicted on the Egyptians with ten plagues through Moses and finally the Egyptians let the Israelites leave their country. We call this 'Exodus'. After the Exodus, the Israelites travelled toward Canaan, the promised land of God.

Look at verses 1 and 2. "In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on the very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain." It takes only eleven days from Egypt to Canaan. But God led the Israelites to the Desert of Sinai taking three full months. Before giving them the fertile land of Canaan, God wanted to give them the most important things that were his word and training. Without these the material blessing in Canaan would only spoil the nation. This year God wants to give us many blessings. But first of all he wants to give us his word and training as the best blessing.

Look at verses 3 and 4. "Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, 'This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.'" God first reminded them of his salvation grace. People can obey God from the heart only when they are thankful to God for his salvation grace. God saved the Israelites from the mighty Egyptians. He even opened a way in the Red Sea so that the Israelites might cross it on dry land. He went ahead of his people in the pillar of cloud by day and in the pillar of fire by night. He gave them manna and quails as their daily food in the desert. He gave them water even from a rock. He saved them from the fierce Amalekites. Ever since God led them out of Egypt, he never failed to take care of them. He did not say, "I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to this desert." He said, "I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to MYSELF." A real salvation is to be brought to God himself. Once we did not know who true God was and who true Saviour was. But God brought us to his truth, the Bible. And the Bible taught us to know the only true God and the only Saviour Jesus Christ. In order to bring us back to himself, God sacrificed his most beloved Son Jesus on the cross. Once we were doomed for eternal destruction but God saved us to be with him forever. We will have many ups and downs throughout this year. But whenever we remember God's wonderful salvation grace we cannot but obey God with deep thanks.

Look at verses 5 and 6. "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." This tells us God's purpose in saving the Israelites.
First, "you will be my treasured possession." Treasure is a possession that is highly valued by its owner. For some people their brand new cars are their treasure. For some other people their family members are their treasure. Now then what is the treasure of God? What does he value most? As for God, those who obey him fully and keep his covenant are his treasured possession. They most highly valued in his eyes. At present the Israelites were not up to God's standard. Instead of obeying God they rather obeyed their sinful natures and kept their human relationships as of first importance. But God would train them until they obeyed him fully and kept his covenant as of first importance. God's training is very hard. But at the end it produces the most beautiful and valuable treasure. Most of our brothers and sisters saw the Bible only after coming to this Bible house. So it is very hard for them to receive Bible study and Bible testimony training. But I believe when we humbly receive this training throughout a year, God will surely grow us as his treasured possession. Among all people we will be valued most highly in God's eyes.
Second, "you will be for me a kingdom of priests." A priest is a man who intercedes between God and men. He brings God's will to men and also brings sinful men to Holy God. In the same way a kingdom of priests is a nation that intercedes between God and all other nations. The nation will bring God's will to all the nations and also bring them all to God. In other words a kingdom of priests serves God and all people on earth according to the truth of God. People estimate one's value based on how many people are serving him. But God measures one's value based on how many people he is serving. A kingdom of priests that serves God and all people with the truth is most previous in God's sight. Priestly garments look very noble and elegant. But priestly duty is not so attractive. The priests have to get up everyday early in the morning to pray and clean the temple. People will come one after another asking them to slaughter and burn the animals on their behalf. The priests have to spend hours and hours to pray for the forgiveness of the people and read out the Holy Scriptures to them. Indeed a kingdom of priests is a shepherd nation that cares for all other nations with God's love and truth. In our times people say, "It's none of your business" or say, "Mind your own business." But the kingdom of priests minds others' business. Its people cry for the perishing souls. They struggle with every soul until it is restored to God. May God grow us as a kingdom of priests for campus souls!
Third, "you will be a holy nation." The word 'holy' means 'set apart' or 'different'. God set apart the Israelites for his special purpose. That is why God dealt with them differently and wanted them to be different from all other nations. God trained them to be different from all other nations in what they thought or said or did. While other nations were worshipping man-made idols, God trained them to worship the only true God. While other nations were fighting for the earthly wealth and power, God moulded his people to fight for the truth. Worldly nations depend on military power. They also depend on each other through coalition. But God trained the Israelites to trust in God alone from first to last. Israel did not become a holy nation in one day or one year. It took 1400 years from Moses till Jesus came and raised his twelve disciples as a new Israel. But the important thing is that God never gave up his hope and training upon his people. By nature we want to mix ourselves with worldly friends, worldly ideas, worldly culture and worldly patterns. This year God wants to teach us how to set us apart for him. How can we set us apart for God? We can start from basics. No matter what happens, let's set apart our time for worship service, Bible study and Bible testimony. This seems to be a small thing. But it is not. When we do it with absolute attitude, God will surely grow us to be his holy nation and use for his special purpose.

Look at verses 8 to 25. The Israelites were happy to follow God's direction. So they responded together, "We will do everything the Lord has said." Then God decided to establish Moses' spiritual leadership by speaking with him in full view of them. But for this special occasion, the Israelites had to consecrate themselves for two days and should not touch even the foot of the mountain on the third day. Only when the ram's horn sounded a long blast might they go up to the mountain. When God descended on the mountain on the third day morning, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke that billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace. The whole mountain trembled violently and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. God warned the people do not approach him without his permission or they would be put to death.
Why did God appear to his loving people in this manner? It was easy for the Israelites to think that God saved them because they were more righteous than other nations. But God taught them that they were the same sinners. That is why they had to consecrate themselves before meeting God. And even after the consecration they were not allow to approach God without his permission. God loves us so much that he did not spare even his one and only Son Jesus. But this does not mean we can take his grace for granted and live as we wish. Even after receiving God's salvation grace we are still sinners and God is the Most Holy One. When we come to him in holy fear we will know his grace deeper and obey him fully. May God grow us as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation!