<Ex 20> 18 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 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

<Ex 20:22—23:33>: “Covenant Code” or “the Book of the Covenant” <Ex 24:7>

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

24 “‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. 26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed.’

Fear God.

• Majestic display of God’s power.
• God is not to be messed with or treated casually.
• He is different from us, and above us.
• Not merely our ‘buddy’, ‘sweet daddy’, ‘cute grandpa’, ‘life coach’.
• But He is the supreme God, the Giver of life and all blessings, the Judge of the earth, the sovereign Ruler of universe.

A ‘right’ fear and a ‘wrong’ fear.

<Ex 20:20> Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 

• To fear or not to fear?
• God doesn’t want a fear that distance us from Him.
• But He wants a ‘right, healthy’ fear that:
  • makes us want to draw close to Him, albeit very carefully.
  • restrains us from sinning. 
  • is the beginning of wisdom <Prov 9:10>.
  • is an effective driving force to do what He says.

Do not fear when being tested by God.

• v20: “God has come to test you…”
• God’s test reveals that people need a Mediator.

Redeemed to worship God.

• Worship is to come near to God, but how to come without fear?
  • Sacrificial system
  • Mediator
    • Moses >>> Jesus Christ
  • Worship is never about us, but about God.