Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More
Text: Exodus 20:22-26
The LORD has just warned the nation not to come close to Sinai. Approaching God here will be deadly. God is holy and powerful and not like man. However, God will give Israel a way to approach him.
Approach Him alone without any other gods
- Worship the one true God. God doesn’t accept competition. God will not compete with made-up gods.
- The nature of idols is clear that they are nothing. They can’t hear, can’t see, can’t speak, and can’t help.
- Nothing lives in carved wood other than bugs. In spite of the idolatrous superstition that God lives in an idol or the Baptist superstition that devils live in idols, no spirits live in carved wood or horseshoes or rabbit’s feet. Do you know where the spirits live? Inside the person. Galatians 5 says idolatry is a work of the flesh.
- Paul would say real Christians know that the idol is nothing.
Approach God by calling on Him
- God’s presence is found where the altars are. Particularly where the LORD’s name is will be the place of blessing.
- Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
- This is why men would call on the name of the Lord. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Approach God in humility
- The altar cannot have any other name on it
- God doesn’t want Israel embellishing these altars.
- The Israelites would have no claims on the altars. They don’t belong to the people.
Approach God modestly
- God doesn’t intend nakedness to be a part of the worship.
- Modesty here is having private parts covered because of the position of the priest.
