THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #124 | THE LIFE OF MOSES #105
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3809
THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #124
THE LIFE OF MOSES #105
MOSES AND MT.SINAI #4
MT. SINAI IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, MT. ZION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
In the Book of Hebrews, the writer references the dangerous presence of God that Moses saw on Mount Sinai.
The writer then contrasts that mountain with Mount Zion (a place symbolizing the Jesus-led kingdom of God).
Hebrews 12:18-24
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
To the degree that Sinai was unapproachable, Zion is equally and conversely welcoming.
God is clearly present on both mountains, and at Zion has not ceased to be powerful and Holy.
However, now Jesus Christ has made a way by his death and resurrection, for us to enter the City of Zion ( Jerusalem ) with boldness and gladness.
The author of Hebrews contrasts the terrors of Mount Sinai, representing Jewish life under the Law, with the glories of Mount Zion, picturing the joy of life under the New Covenant.
He wants us to know that the right living flows out of the right knowledge. If you know the riches that you possess in Christ, you won’t want to go back to the empty, fleeting pleasures of the world.
The route to Zion goes through Sinai, where we encounter the terrors of God’s Law. His Law should teach us two things:
A. GOD’S LAW SHOULD INSTILL IN US A FEAR OF HIS HOLINESS AND JUDGMENT.
B. GOD’S LAW SHOULD INSTILL IN US THE NEED FOR HIS MEDIATOR.
At Mount Sinai, Moses and Aaron were the only ones allowed to go up the mountain into God’s presence.
But the people could not draw near to God through Moses or Aaron.
They were men with sin of their own.
But Jesus Christ is our sinless high priest, who offered Himself as our sacrifice (Heb. 7:26-27). As Paul wrote (1 Tim. 2:5), “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
These two mountains of God have a singular lesson to teach us: God is both a God of Judgment and Grace. Let us realise the importance of not belittling the Law just because it could not save us. But it is the Law that pointed out our need for a Mediator in Christ. Because of Him we can now come boldly into God's presence in prayer and supplication.
Hebrews 4:16
(New King James Version)
16 (A)Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
