You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

The mountain described here is a mountain of judgment and might. God is righteous and pure. The Israelites were, like all other people groups in the history of the world, sinners. They did not meet the perfection standard set by God’s law. Even after he provided the animal sacrifices for forgiveness of sin and the opportunity for right relationship with God, many of them just tried to follow rules, not changing their hearts.

Instead they gravitated to comparative righteousness. It was easier to look good when compared to other sinners. Why? Because there was always someone who looked worse on the outside. This mountain discussed here is fearful because a holy God is an awe-inspiring sight to behold. The people could not see him or touch anything close to him.

God is full of power and might and he, at times, though he is very gracious, pours out his wrath against the ungodly. This is just and right because otherwise evil would rule in this world.

This is the state of things before Jesus came. Many people were in fear of a righteous God because of their sin. And it is the same today. But the interesting thing about this passage is that it starts out by saying, “You did not come to a mountain …”.

So, the question is what type of mountain did we come to? (more tomorrow).

Lord, thank you for your righteousness and justice. I cannot by myself hold up under your righteous standard. I need a lot of help every day. That help comes in the person of Jesus Christ. Thank you that this fearful mountain can be behind us as humans. We just have to trust Jesus!