Daily Scripture Reading Exodus 18:24 - 19:15

The ethos of modern Christianity is to create a casual atmosphere, dress down for church, tell people to come as they are, and follow leaders who are charismatic, entertaining, and quick-witted. Many modern church services are designed to generate emotional responses in people in order to make them feel good.

When Israel arrived at Mt Sinai and prepared to meet God, there was nothing casual about the event. In fact, it was the opposite. The Bible does not tell us we should imitate what they did, but at some point we have to ask if their preparations for meeting the One and Only Holy God are something we should seek to emulate.

When the Israelites left Egypt and entered the wilderness, they did not have a leadership structure. Thus, Moses was the only leader and was settling all disputes no matter how big or small the disagreement. When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, saw what Moses was doing, he warned Moses that he was going to wear himself out. Jethro suggested that Moses appoint God-fearing men of truth to serve as leaders and help Moses with the burden of leading the people of Israel.

Ex. 18:24 ¶ So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

Ex. 18:25 And Moses chose excellent men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Notice the word “excellent”. Moses chose excellent men to be leaders.

Modern society is so heavily influenced by emotion and entertainment that we tend to appoint leaders who are charismatic, articulate, and entertaining instead of men of substance who have good character. Unfortunately, this is also true in Christianity. Most Christian leaders are leaders because they are appealing and entertaining, not because they are men of depth and righteousness.

Ex. 18:26 And they judged the people at all times; the difficult matter they would bring to Moses, but every minor matter they themselves would judge.

Ex. 18:27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.

Ex. 19:1 ¶ In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on this day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

Ex. 19:2 Then they set out from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.

Ex. 19:3 ¶ Now Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:

Ex. 19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

Look at the words “You yourselves have seen.” The Israelites who came out of Egypt had an advantage you and I don’t have. They were eyewitnesses of some of the events recorded in the Bible. You and I are not eyewitnesses. We need to rely on the written testimony of people who lived thousands of years ago.

Ex. 19:5 So now then, if you will indeed listen to My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;

Ex. 19:6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

All Israel had to do was obey Yahweh.

Ex. 19:7 ¶ So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words which Yahweh had commanded him.

Ex. 19:8 And all the people answered together and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to Yahweh.

This verse is a good verse to remember as we read the rest of Exodus, as well as Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Israelites professes a willingness to do all that Yahweh told them to do. Unfortunately, they did not follow through on their declaration of loyalty.

Ex. 19:9 Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.

Ex. 19:10 ¶ Yahweh also said to Moses, “Go to the people and set them apart as holy today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;

Ex. 19:11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day Yahweh will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Ponder the preparation that the Israelites were supposed to make for the meeting with Yahweh. It was not acceptable to “Come as you are”. They were to wash and set themselves apart.

Ex. 19:12 And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

There was a barrier between the people and Yahweh.

Ex. 19:13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or surely shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”

Ex. 19:14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and set the people apart as holy, and they washed their garments.

Ex. 19:15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

The ethos of modern Christianity is to create a casual atmosphere, dress down for church, tell people to come as they are, and follow leaders who are charismatic, entertaining, and quick-witted. Many modern church services are designed to generate emotional responses in people in order to make them feel good.

When Israel arrived at Mt Sinai and prepared to meet God, there was nothing casual about the event. The leaders appointed to lead them were excellent, God-fearing men. Moses was instructed to set the Israelites apart as holy. The people were told to wash their garments. The men were commanded to abstain from women.

The Bible does not tell us we should imitate what they did, but at some point we have to ask if their preparations for meeting the One and Only Holy God are something we should seek to emulate. Yahweh is unique. He is far superior to all humans and every other so-called God. When we go to church, perhaps our dress, attitude, and demeanor should reflect the fact that we are gathering in the name of the Creator of the universe.

What does a casual dress code at church say about our attitude towards God?

What does casual activity like drinking coffee in the sanctuary say about our reverence or lack of reverence for the Creator?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”