Suddenly, it was done! As though an eagle had swept down from the sky, picked them up and carried them away to a better place. Their bondage to idolaters and slavers was over. They left Egypt with gold, silver, and precious jewels, but better yet, with a new opportunity to be close with God and to walk in His ways. The Lord brought them out of a land of idolatry and enslavement…
“‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” [1]
They had the opportunity to hear God’s voice and be in a covenant relationship with Him. To be His special treasure above all other people groups! A light on a hill! The salt of the earth! A kingdom of priests! A holy nation!
When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, there was the sound of the trumpet, and other signs and wonders. The people trembled. They were afraid to be close to God at that point. It was a moment comparable to when Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” [2]
God graciously granted unto the Israelites and unto Peter the fear of God to keep them from sinning against Him…
“Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’ 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.’ So, the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.” [3]
The fear of God is a gift of the Spirit of the Lord in one’s life and is a blessing…
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the SPIRIT of the FEAR of the LORD.” [4]
To be among a people who do not fear the Lord is a dangerous place to be…
“And Abraham said, ‘Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.’” [5]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for Your Holy Spirit who makes us aware of how precious You are to us and how wonderful Your ways are for us. We pray for more of the SPIRIT of the FEAR of the LORD to be upon us and upon all people. For we ask this in the Name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
[1] Exodus 19:4-6
[2] Luke 5:8
[3] Exodus 20:18-21
[4] Isaiah 11:1-2
[5] Genesis 20:11
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