Monday, December 10, 2018

The Mount that Might be Touched Hebrews 12:18


According to the writer of Hebrews, although Esau passionately desired the “blessing” from his father, “he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it with tears”. In chapter twelve and verse eighteen of Hebrews, the writer shared how his readers had “not come unto the mount that might be touched” where we read:

For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched,
and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

The verse begins, “For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched,...”. The writer began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “you are not come” which refers to “the readers have not approached, drawn near or assented” “unto the mount” which means “toward the mountain” “that might be touched” or “that could be handled or felt”. The readers of Hebrews had not “approached” the “mountain” of God that could be “felt” or “handled” by them.

The verse continues, “...and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,”. The writer added the words, “and that burned” or “that was lit and consumed” “with fire” which means “lightning or fiery fire”, “nor unto blackness” or “gloomy darkness”, “and darkness” which means “shadiness and obscurity”, “and tempest” or “a sudden storm or whirlwind”. This mountain of God was “consumed with fiery fire, gloomy darkness and thick obscurity”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we may remember how Moses was not allowed to “touch Mount Sinai with material bodies” (See Exodus 19:12-13) There was “darkness” that “was formed by the clouds hanging around the mount”, and a “tempest” “accompanied the “thunder”. The people of Israel were not allowed to be near or “touch” the mountain. The idea was the “mount” was sacred and holy, and not just anyone could approach God there. Jesus Christ came to provide “access” to God and His throne is more sacred than Mount Sinai upon which He appeared to Moses. The readers of Hebrews had not approached God in the manner of Moses, and as intimidating as God's throne may be, people who come to God thru a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ have no need to worry or fear.

Next time the writer continues sharing about the mount as it has “the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites,
http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.





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