Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 28 April 2019

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, Hebrews 12:22

The author now says, “But.” This is to contrast what has been said. He has been speaking of God’s revelation of Himself to the people while upon Mount Sinai. The people were told to not come near the mountain lest they die. They were told that whoever who did come near was not to even be touched, but was to be stoned or shot with arrows, signifying being completely rejected by the congregation. There was fire, tempest, the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words which terrified the people, and which brought fear and trembling to Moses. All of that is now contrasted with the word, “But.”

Instead of this revelation of Himself at Mount Sinai, the author says, “you have come to Mount Zion.” In this, the mountain represents the government. At Sinai, the government of the Law of Moses was given. At Mount Zion, the government of the New Covenant was given. The contrast is law verses grace. In one, there was fear. In the other, there is fellowship. In one, there is the burning leading to death. In the other, there is a burning for purification (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). These, and all other things, are set in contrast to one another. It demonstrates the infinite superiority of the New Covenant over the Old.

The author continues with, “and to the city of the living God.” Not only is Mount Sinai representative of government, but it is a government which issues from a city. Mount Sinai was a type of government – meaning the law – that issued from the Lord, through Moses, and which the people were kept separate from. There was the Sovereign ruling from afar, in blackness and tempest, and which sent forth fear and death. Mount Zion is also a city, a place where people dwell, and in which the people participate – even in “the living God.” As He has sealed His people and given them life, so life issues forth from Him eternally.

Though He is and always has been “the living God,” to the people under the law, He was the God of death, because through the law comes the knowledge of sin, and through sin comes death. Therefore, He was completely separate from the people in this regard. However, for those who come to Mount Zion, they are not under law, but are under grace (Romans 6:14, 15). Therefore, they are not having sin imputed to them (2 Corinthians 5:19). The contrast is set between what was in Moses, and what is now in Christ.

Next, the author says, “the heavenly Jerusalem.” This is an important addition because in Galatians 4 the earthly Jerusalem is equated directly to Mount Sinai.

“Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. ²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, ²⁴ which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— ²⁵ for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— ²⁶ but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Galatians 4:22-26

The earthly is but a mere shadow of the heavenly. Whereas the earthly was under the law and in bondage, the heavenly is founded upon GRACE and it is where there is freedom.

From there, the author finishes the verse with, “to an innumerable company of angels.” The Hebrew reads murias. It specifically means “ten thousand,” but it is given to represent an indefinite number which is too large to count.

The Greek is highly debated, but due to the structure of the verses, it is likely that the comma should go after the word “company.” Thus, it would read, “to an innumerable company, of angels…” (connected to the next verse). To get a full view of this would take reading many commentaries of great commentators of the past. Suffice it to says that unlike Mount Sinai where the Lord sat alone upon the Mountain issuing forth directives through Moses, here, there are innumerable “messengers,” as the Greek word translated as “angels” means. There is nothing dark and shadowy, but only the light of the radiance of God which illuminates the city, and in which the word of God goes forth like water to a dry and barren land to quench the eternal thirst of God’s people.

Life application: Paul says in Romans –

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

The law – even from the day it was given – was a reminder of death and the impossibility of pleasing God by observing it, simply because no one can fully live by it. And so death reigned from the time that the law was introduced. Again, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:6, “…who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

The “letter” is the law and it brought forth death, but the Spirit – given by Christ – gives life. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The glory of what is found in Christ, and which lies ahead for His redeemed, is truly a surpassing glory. It is a glory that we simply cannot even imagine at this time. How wonderful it will be!

Lord, what a wonderful and precious assurance You have given us through the Person of Jesus. Now, because of Him, we can have everlasting fellowship with You without fear. Instead, only eternal joy awaits us as we join the heavenly choir in singing praises to You! Help us to keep our eyes on this wonderful promise that we might not falter in the present. Amen!

Saturday, 27 April 2019

And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”) Hebrews 12:21

The author now turns to the state of Moses at the giving of the law, citing something not recorded anywhere in Scripture. Speaking of the giving of the law, he says, “And so terrifying was the sight.”

This tells us that it is speaking of the display of the Lord on the mountain which has been referred to since verse 18. It is not a reference to any other time. From there, he quotes Moses, saying, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”

It is these words which are in question. There is no such quote to be found. This leaves several possibilities. One is that he is citing a non-biblical tradition among the Jews, of which there are such commentaries in existence. Another is that the author is making the claim under divine inspiration. Stephen speaks of things in Acts 7 which are not recorded elsewhere. A third option is that the author is tying the account of Exodus 3 in with that of Exodus 19:6. There it said, “And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.”

That would be a logical connection. He was afraid at the burning bush, and so how much more afraid would he be while facing a far greater demonstration of the Lord’s glory, covering an entire mountain! One final suggestion is that this is speaking of his words in Deuteronomy 9:19. After receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses went down the mountain to find the people worshiping the golden calf. At that time, Deuteronomy records, “For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which the Lord was angry with you, to destroy you.”

Moses’ fear of what he saw on the mountain was then transferred to an understanding of the holiness of God in relation to the conduct of the people. He fully perceived the danger of violating one of the commandments they had been given. In seeing the conduct of Aaron and the others, his fear of the splendor of the Lord moved him to fear and trembling for the people.

The word translated as “afraid,” is ekphobos. It signifies “wholly frightened” or “out of one’s wits.” The only other time it is used is in Mark 9:6, describing the state of Peter during the transfiguration. It is a subtle note of the glory of Christ in relation to the Lord on Mount Sinai. Both events brought such a deep fear on those who beheld the sight, that it brought about a reaction of absolute terror.

Life application: After the people’s rejection of the Lord, and in the making of the golden calf, Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! ³² Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” Exodus 32:31, 32

This revealed the greatness of Moses in the sight of the Lord and the people of Israel. In this, he foreshadows the true Intermediary to come – Jesus our Lord.

Remember, once a person is saved, they can never lose their salvation, but continued sin demonstrates a disregard for the great work of the cross – something we all have done. Were it not for Jesus interceding on our behalf, we would be utterly consumed by God. But Jesus stands as our Advocate, and in Him we are secure from that which would otherwise utterly condemn us.

Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? To You alone we give thanks and praise for the Person and work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him we praise You, through Him we ask for forgiveness, and through Him we petition You. And in His name we pray today! Amen.

Friday, 26 April 2019

(For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” Hebrews 12:20

The author now continues with his description of what occurred at Mount Sinai at the giving of the Old Covenant. Here he says while speaking of the people of Israel, “For they could not endure what was commanded.” This means that what was commanded them was so terrifying that they couldn’t bear it. The thought conveyed to them simply overwhelmed them.

The Lord was to descend on the mountain, making the entire mountain holy. How could such a thing be? How holy must the Lord be that the entire mountain would then be set apart from them! And this was after they had consecrated themselves. Even after that, they were still not to come near the mountain. And even more, this mandate included animals. As it says, “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”

The account in Exodus speaks of both man and beast being forbidden from coming near the mountain. The author here is focusing on the beasts because, unlike man, they are simply unreasoning animals. To have them killed may sound unnecessary or even vindictive, but this is not the case. The holiness of God is something that is referred to throughout Scripture. The fallen nature of creation is also mentioned explicitly by Paul in Romans 8. Even animals with no sense of reason were to be killed if they violated this precept.

Secondly, if an animal were to be allowed to live after touching the mountain of the Lord, it could then be turned itself into an idol by the people who saw it. In essence, “Holy Cow! This is a holy cow because it was sanctified by the Lord atop the holy mountain.” If you don’t believe this is possible, take a peek at the millions of relics, or beasts, adored and worshiped by countless false religions.

With this understanding, the reason it was to be stoned or shot was to keep a distance between the offender and the executioners. The animal (or person) was, from the moment it touched the mountain, considered devoted to the Lord through destruction. To touch such a thing so devoted would then mean the one who touched it was also so devoted. And so to maintain a separation from it, the animal (or person) was to be killed from a distance.

The purpose of this was to instill in the minds of the people an absolute sense of the holiness of God. The word translated as “touches” is rather rare, being found only in Colossians 2:21, Hebrews 11:28, and here. It gives the sense of touching something which then affects the object. The mountain was sacred and holy. Touching it was, therefore, not permitted.

Another reason for this prohibition, which is only implied, but it stands as a correct interpretation, is that the Lord had accepted Moses (who would go to the mountain) and that he was the people’s chosen representative to the Lord. This is indicated in verse 9 of the chapter, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever” (Exodus 19:9).

Life application: Everything in creation fell at the fall. All things are corruptible and in need of the restoration promised in Scripture. Paul indicates this in Romans 8 –

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:20, 21

As you can see, the taint of Adam’s sin has affected everything, but all things will be restored in due time. As Jesus says in Revelation, “Behold, I make all things new.” We have a great hope which will come about in due time. Don’t let the temporary, fallen, and often vile nature of the world around you steal your joy. Keep looking ahead to that which is promised, and which is also absolutely guaranteed, because of the work of the Lord Jesus. Good things are ahead.

O God! Thank You for the promise of restoration and renewal spoken of in Your word. Thank You that backaches, eye problems, sadness, and even death will be wiped away forever. And above all, thank You for Jesus who made the bridge to You possible. We bow at His glorious feet and hail, “Worthy is the Lamb!” Hallelujah and Amen.

Thursday, 25 April 2019

…and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. Hebrews 12:19

The author now continues with the awesome display of the Lord which was witnessed on Mount Sinai, beginning this verse with, “and the sound of a trumpet.” That is recorded in Exodus 20:18 –

“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet.”

Next, he says, “and the voice of words.” That is recorded in Deuteronomy 4:12 –

“And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice.”

The two thoughts together (the trumpet and the voice) are again noted in Scripture as being ascribed to the Lord Jesus –

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, ¹¹ saying, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’” Revelation 1:10, 11

In this, it is obvious that the Lord (Jehovah) of the Old Testament is the same as the Lord (Jesus) of the New.

Next, the author says, “so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.” This is found in Exodus 20:19 –

“Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’”

The sound of the voice of the Lord was so overwhelming that they feared they would die if they heard anything more from Him directly. The idea being conveyed is that the words of law bring death. However, the words of grace bring life. Everything about the New Covenant, which came through Christ’s blood, is superior to that of the Old.

Life application: In giving the Ten Commandments on Sinai in the way He did, the Lord was checking the people’s hearts. By giving this display, later challenges could be held in only one of two ways – 1) faith that the same God who they heard and saw could handle any trouble, or 2) disobedience and rejection of the God whose power they had seen. As Moses said to them, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” Exodus 20:20

When the times of testing came, did they pass? The answer is, “No.” Israel repeatedly failed in this regard, and so their bodies fell in the wilderness during thirty-eight years of wandering, until that entire generation had perished. The same Lord came and presented Himself in human form in the person of Jesus. The people again failed to accept the word of the Lord and come to Him. In this, they went into an exile which has only ended in modern times. And even now, they still do not believe in the One who came to purify them from all unrighteousness. Pray for Israel – that eyes would be opened. The Lord is calling out to them, just as He has since their inception.

Lord God, if you were displeased with those who saw Your glory on Mt. Sinai and rejected it, how much more then when we… when we reject the display of Your glory in the Person of Jesus Christ. May we never fail to have faith during our times of testing. Given us wisdom in our minds and fortitude in our hearts to cling to our Lord. In His name we pray. Amen.

Wednesday, 24 April 2019

For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, Hebrews 12:18

What seems like an unlikely transition, the author now goes from the account of Esau to the reception of the Law of Moses at Mount Sinai. But he has not changed his focus at all. The word, “For,” demonstrates that he is still referring to what he said earlier. In verse 14, he says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” It is exactly this thought that he is conveying now.

Before the giving of the Ten Commandments, this was seen in Exodus 19 –

“‘“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. ¹¹ And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. ¹² You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. ¹³ Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.”’” Exodus 19:10-13

The people had to be consecrated and thus “holy” in order to “see the Lord,” which is what it says in verse 20 of that chapter with the words, “Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai.” At this time the people were utterly overwhelmed by the awesome display their eyes beheld. That will be partly described in the verses ahead, and Moses’ reaction will also be revealed by the author. The entire display was both remarkable and fearful to the people.

The author’s words now begin to relay the thought that, “If that was so overwhelming, how much more remarkable is that which has occurred in the coming of Christ, who is the Lord.” This thought will continue through the rest of the chapter. However, and with that understanding, he now says, “For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched.”

That is speaking of Mount Sinai. It is a physical mountain that could be touched, seen, climbed, etc. In contrast to that is the risen and now ascended Lord who is the same Lord who descended on Mount Sinai. When He came to Sinai, even though the mountain could be touched, once He came, it could no longer be touched (as noted in Exodus 19:12 above). This was then reiterated to Moses several times before the ending of the chapter.

The mountain could be physically touched, but it could no longer be so touched when the holiness of the Lord came upon it. If this is the case with Sinai, how much more so with “touching” that which the Lord has now sanctified. The contrast is between Sinai, meaning the Law of Moses, and Mount Zion, meaning the New Covenant.

The author then continues with, “and that burned with fire.” This was the state of Sinai. It burned with fire, as described in the chapter. And then the author says, “and to blackness and darkness and tempest.”

The superlative words describe what occurred at Sinai. They show the awesome nature of the Lord who had come to give His people the law which would be for the conduct of their lives, and which would guide their interactions with the Lord for 1500 years. However, that law ended, and the interaction which occurred through that law ended with it. The author will continue referring to this event, using the words of Exodus, to build up his case concerning the absolute exceeding majesty of what occurred in Christ in comparison to that majestic display which occurred at Sinai.

Life application: The enormity of the display at Sinai demonstrated the severity of what was to come. God was ensuring that what the people heard, they would never forget. The law was to be taken as the holy word which it is, and from the perfectly holy God who spoke it. It can be assumed that any infraction of the words to come would carry a terrible penalty simply by the display that accompanied it. And so it was, as testified throughout the rest of the Old Testament. The law brought fear, and the law brought death. Such is the harshness of the law. Thanks be to God for grace and mercy which came through Christ Jesus our Lord!

Lord, when we read difficult passages that show the severity of violating Your word, help us to keep them in context and to remember what they are teaching us and why. In the end, we all deserve death and condemnation, but You sent Jesus to take our place. How thankful we are for grace and mercy instead of law and punishment! Thank You for Jesus our Lord. Amen.