A healthy view of God Hebrews 12:18-29
Fear is a very unpleasant feeling, yet it is part of this world. I think after we have seen or heard something, then our brain tries to process it when we sleep, and then it turns into a nightmare: those are not experiences that we would rate as being on a bucket list. To experience a horrible nightmare – that doesn’t rate.
The writer here, in the book of Hebrews, took them on a history lesson in verses 18-21, regarding what the Israelites experienced for 40 days while they were in their 40 years in the wilderness. Exodus 19:10-25 explains what it was like when Israel came to Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:16) “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.” 1. The mountain was fenced off; there was no trespassing on pain of death. 2. They were commanded to wash their clothes and abstain from sexual relations. 3. There was thunder, lightning and a thick cloud. 4. There was the sound of a trumpet, calling forth the nation to meet with God. 5. There was more smoke, like a furnace, and earthquakes. 6. Then the trumpet sounded long – until Moses spoke, and God Himself answered. 7. God spoke to Israel from Sinai but warned them in every way possible to stay away. Their fear was understandable; they were terrified. (Exodus 20:18) “Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off.” They wanted the experience to stop. But hold on; this was an incredible God moment; a true, full orbed experience of God’s presence. But these people were freaking out with fear.
I was fearful with Sleeping Beauty, but not like this. I kept watching; the ancient Israelis wanted it to stop, but it didn’t stop; not initially. Even Moses (the one who at one point saw God as it were face to face) said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling,” (Deuteronomy 9:19) Hebrews 12:21 also says, “Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear."
But this is where the writer to the Hebrews in the New Testament gives some clarity to us between the Old Testament Law and its giving at Mt Sinai: 10 commandments with lightning, fire, smoke and trumpets, and the New Testament in Christ: a new Mountain - Mt Zion. The writer, I believe to be the Apostle Paul, in verses 22-24 said, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, …” Mt Sinai represents the Law and judgement; Mt Zion forgiveness and grace.
The bible commentator David Guzik puts it this way regarding this passage:
“But you have come to Mount Zion: The lesson is obvious. We shouldn’t come to Mount Zion as if we were coming to Mount Sinai. So put away your hesitation, be encouraged and get bold in coming to God. Consider the contrasts between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion.
· Mount Sinai was marked by fear and terror – Mount Zion is a place of love and forgiveness. · Mount Sinai is in the desert – Mount Zion is the city of the Living God. · Mount Sinai spoke of earthly things – Mount Zion speaks of heavenly things. · At Mount Sinai, only Moses was allowed to draw near to God – at Mount Zion, an innumerable company, a general assembly is invited to draw near.
· Mount Sinai was characterized by guilty men in fear – Mount Zion features just men made perfect.
· At Mount Sinai, Moses was the mediator – at Mount Zion, Jesus is the mediator. · Mount Sinai brought an Old Covenant, which was ratified by the blood of animals – Mount Zion brought a New Covenant, which is ratified by the blood of God’s precious Son. · Mount Sinai was all about exclusion, keeping people away from the mountain – Mount Zion is all about invitation. · Mount Sinai is all about Law – Mount Zion is all about grace.”
This is the God we serve in Christ. The writer to the Hebrews is saying, don’t continue worshipping in a way that reflects the religion and the relationship of God through the law and Mt Sinai. We can come boldly into the presence of God. Remember the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. Christ is the New eternal priest on our behalf. Unlike the ancient Israelis – they were to die touching Mt Sinai, no-one could go into the Holy of Holies. But Jesus at the cross – supernaturally tore the veil that separated God from not only Jews, but us – the Gentiles. We can boldly come to the presence of God shouting “Abba” (Dad). No fear of rejection, no fear of judgement, no fear of eternal death – but life, grace, joy, peace, power and security forever. This is the God we serve in Christ.
But has God changed? No, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The writer to the Hebrews went on (verse 25ff), “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven… thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
This is how we understand and keep a healthy view of God. God has not changed; it is only grace that allows us the intimacy, the forgiveness that we can come boldly to the Father without any fear – He will never turn us away. But He hasn’t changed – there is no shadow of turning with Him.
So, what must we do? Is fear a motivator in getting people to see who God truly is? Well yes, it absolutely can be. In fact, Jude the Lord’s brother wrote in Jude 1:22, 23, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
But does fear always work? No, it doesn’t. Go back to Mt Sinai. What did the ancient Jews do after the smoke and fire, loud trumpets? Moses was taking too long up the top. They had just been told to honour God. While the mountain was still on fire – they got used to its sight. They built a gold calf idol. But a few weeks earlier they were shaking in fear. Fear doesn’t convert a heart. Grace must be involved. Fear with grace converts. Love with grace converts. Fear and even love by itself will never convert a soul to Christ.
This is why promoting a healthy view of God means you understand there is nothing in yourself that keeps you in His presence except the Grace poured out upon you through accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour from sin.
We are told by the Apostle John, “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1st John 4:17, 18) And again by the Apostle Paul in (2 Timothy 1:7), “We are not given a Spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind (self-control).”