Exodus 20:18–21 (NKJV) 18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
God is awesome and even fearful. We humans cannot even see Him face to face because His unmediated glory is more than our finite beings can handle in the flesh. Moses is one of the few humans ever to even catch a glimpse of God’s presence, and that only from behind. When the people saw God manifesting Himself on Mt. Sinai in thunder, lightning, and smoke, they were frightened and retreated from the mountain. They asked Moses to be their representative to God and from God. They wanted nothing to do with God’s presence.
Moses told them something that should have helped them deal with this fear. He stated that God was testing them, establishing His authority before them, and giving them incentive not to sin. This sounds a bit like some efforts called “Scared Straight.” However, we should follow God because we love Him, not just because we fear Him. However, it is important to understand Who God is and who we are in relation to Him. He is God, the Righteous Judge, and the Ruler of all Eternity. Therefore, some healthy reverence and fear are in order, too!
Devoted To You 