EXODUS 19
21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them. – Exodus 19:21-25
EXODUS 19 GOD SETS BOUNDARIES TO HIS PEOPLE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When God came down to let his people feel his presence
He gave limits so that they will not go over such borders
They were also cautioned not to look or they will perish
The priests and the people were to follow these boundaries.
In this account, we witness God’s love by warning his own people of the limits that he requires from them. By setting these boundaries, he is making it clear about his divinity. The Lord is not like any other human, that they could just look at and continue to live. He is also cautioning his people not to overstep these limits. Because of our sinful nature, we become so curious about many things that are not within the parameters that God has given us. God knows our nature. Because he is a God of order and not of chaos, the Lord is very clear with the limitations of our freedom and his majestic presence. Remember how Eve sinned in paradise? She was very curious to find out how she could have knowledge like God, which led her to take Satan’s bait. God was very clear with his roles as Provider, Defender, Protector, Nurturer and Giver of Life. He wanted his people to know that they cannot take those roles that only he can do. Oftentimes, we overstep these roles by self-reliance and our little understanding of God’s character. We problem solve things beyond our understanding instead of relying on God. We question why God allows us to suffer or not give us what we want. We are impatient instead of standing on his promises. We believe lies from this world instead of focusing on truths.
REFLECTION
- What are some of the ways believers overstep God’s boundaries to his people?
