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Sinai:

Meeting with God

Sin

Mediation

Uncommon Leadership

Sinai:

Meeting with God

Sin

Mediation

Uncommon Leadership©2014Barry Liesch Biola University La Mirada, California©2014Barry Liesch Biola University La Mirada, California

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Humble yourselves before Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt the Lord, and he will exalt you.you.

James 4:10James 4:10

Quiet meditationQuiet meditation

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From book of Hebrews. God on Mt Sinai:From book of Hebrews. God on Mt Sinai:You have not come to something that can You have not come to something that can

be touched, a blazing be touched, a blazing firefire, and , and darknessdarkness… … and the sound of a and the sound of a trumpettrumpet, ,

and a and a voicevoice whose words made the hearers whose words made the hearers begbeg that not another word be spoken to that not another word be spoken to them.them.

Heb 12:18,19Heb 12:18,19Powerful! Terrifying! Powerful! Terrifying!

Quiet meditationQuiet meditation

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Holiness/Presence of God Holiness/Presence of God on Mount Sinaion Mount Sinai

How Moses met crisis that demanded How Moses met crisis that demanded LEADERSHIP!LEADERSHIP!

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Just before Mount SinaiJust before Mount Sinai

God: I bore you on eagleGod: I bore you on eagle’’s wingss wingsRedeemed/Delivered you from EgyptRedeemed/Delivered you from Egypt

Consecrate/wash yourselvesConsecrate/wash yourselves

People: agree to obey all requirements of People: agree to obey all requirements of covenantcovenant

God: You shall be God: You shall be mymy possession possession

Does God really have us worship leaders?Does God really have us worship leaders?

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At Mount SinaiAt Mount Sinai

Consecration by Consecration by bloodblood Blood sprinkled/thrown over (!) peopleBlood sprinkled/thrown over (!) people Blood ratifies agreement/covenantBlood ratifies agreement/covenant

Common thread between OT/NT: Common thread between OT/NT: bloodbloodJesus inaugurates New CovenantJesus inaugurates New Covenant This is This is mymy bloodblood of the new covenant of the new covenant

BloodBlood symbol symbol foundationalfoundational to worship to worship

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……without the shedding of bloodwithout the shedding of bloodthere is no forgiveness of sin. there is no forgiveness of sin. Heb 9:22Heb 9:22

Billy Graham was asked Billy Graham was asked “What is most important “What is most important when preaching?”when preaching?”

Billy: Billy: Preach the blood! Preach the blood! (sing it too?)(sing it too?)

What can wash away my sin?..........?What can wash away my sin?..........?

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Warning to People!Warning to People! Do not touch Sinai -- even border of itDo not touch Sinai -- even border of it

Whoever touches mountain shall surely die!Whoever touches mountain shall surely die!

Holiness: attractive, yet Holiness: attractive, yet dangerous!dangerous!

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Sinai Pattern of Worship Sinai Pattern of Worship

Call to Worship, to Come UpCall to Worship, to Come Up to Moses, Aaronto Moses, Aaron to 70 eldersto 70 elders

RequirementsRequirements Remove shoes Remove shoes (Why? Significance?)(Why? Significance?)

Abstain from sexual relations Abstain from sexual relations (Why?(Why?))

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Sinai Pattern of Worship Sinai Pattern of Worship

70 Elders70 Elders Must stay at base of mountainMust stay at base of mountain Worship at distance, not come too close!Worship at distance, not come too close! Invited to see a glimpse of GodInvited to see a glimpse of God

70 Elders 70 Elders offer Peace Offering offer Peace Offering Eat & drink Eat & drink signals signals ““Peace with GodPeace with God””

Only Moses & Aaron go up mountainOnly Moses & Aaron go up mountain

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At Top of MountainAt Top of Mountain

Transcendent Transcendent PowerPower of God of God Thunder, lightening Thunder, lightening Thick cloud, darkness, smokeThick cloud, darkness, smoke Mountain tremblesMountain trembles Trumpet blast gets louder and louder!Trumpet blast gets louder and louder! Voice of God speaks out from fire!Voice of God speaks out from fire! Sense of majesty-but no visible formSense of majesty-but no visible form[Terrifying!][Now the narrative][Terrifying!][Now the narrative]

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Sinai Pattern of worship Sinai Pattern of worship

And Moses…and the 70…went up, And Moses…and the 70…went up, and they saw a and they saw a vision of God.vision of God.

Under his feetUnder his feet was something like was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heavens for like the very heavens for clearness…clearness…

they they beheld Godbeheld God, and they ate and , and they ate and drank. drank. Ex 24:9-11Ex 24:9-11

Transcendence!Transcendence!Why is “under his feet” singled out/reported?Why is “under his feet” singled out/reported?

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Sinai Pattern of worship Sinai Pattern of worship

The 70 The 70 ““saw the God of Israelsaw the God of Israel”” Sapphire stone Sapphire stone (deep blue) Why (deep blue) Why under feet? under feet?

Clear as crystal (like glass?) Clear as crystal (like glass?) Ezek 1:26; Rev 4:6Ezek 1:26; Rev 4:6 Foundation of heavenly throne? Foundation of heavenly throne? Dared not lift eyes higher? Dared not lift eyes higher? Why?Why?

You cannot see my face … and live You cannot see my face … and live Ex 33:20Ex 33:20

Moses receives 10 commandments, the Moses receives 10 commandments, the Law, Tabernacle details/structureLaw, Tabernacle details/structure

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Sinai Pattern of worship Sinai Pattern of worship

Moses is delayed (40 days on mount)Moses is delayed (40 days on mount)People to Aaron: People to Aaron: make us a Godmake us a GodGolden Calf Worship Golden Calf Worship IDOLATRY! IDOLATRY!Dancing, Drinking, Wild Revelry Dancing, Drinking, Wild Revelry Mose’s anger burnsMose’s anger burns: shatters : shatters

commandments, grinds it into powder, commandments, grinds it into powder, makes them drink it!makes them drink it!

3000 resist Moses & are slain! 3000 resist Moses & are slain! Ex 32:15-28Ex 32:15-28

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40 days prostrate before the Lord

Uncommon Leadership40 days prostrate before the Lord

Uncommon LeadershipMoses recognizes calamitous situationMoses recognizes calamitous situationMoses to People: Moses to People: Perhaps I can make atonement for Perhaps I can make atonement for

your sin your sin Ex 32:30Ex 32:30

Moses to God: Moses to God: This people has committed a great This people has committed a great

sin… sin… Ex 32:30Ex 32:30 If you cannot forgive them, blot out If you cannot forgive them, blot out

my name from your book! my name from your book! Ex 32:32Ex 32:32

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God’s AngerGod’s Anger

God God threatensthreatens to wipe out Israel: to wipe out Israel: Leave me alone so that Leave me alone so that my angermy anger

may burn against them and that I may burn against them and that I may destroymay destroy themthem Ex 32:10Ex 32:10

Moses lays prostrate 40 days/intercedesMoses lays prostrate 40 days/intercedesGod: God: II ’’ll send an angel…[but] I will ll send an angel…[but] I will notnot

go up with you, because you are an go up with you, because you are an obstinate people obstinate people Ex 33:2-5Ex 33:2-5

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Uncommon LeadershipUncommon Leadership

MosesMoses: : If your If your presencepresence does not does not go up with us, do not send us up go up with us, do not send us up from here! For how will anyone from here! For how will anyone know that you are pleased with know that you are pleased with me…me…What else will distinguish What else will distinguish me and your people me and your people from all the from all the other people on the face of the other people on the face of the earth earth Ex 33: 15-16Ex 33: 15-16

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Uncommon LeadershipUncommon Leadership

What are marks of Mose’s Leadership?What are marks of Mose’s Leadership?Are there lessons for worship leaders?Are there lessons for worship leaders?

God relentsGod relentsMose’s RequestMose’s Request

Moses: Moses: If I have favor, If I have favor, show me Thy gloryshow me Thy gloryGod: God: I myself will make all My goodness I myself will make all My goodness

pass before you pass before you Ex 33:17-22; 34:1, 4 - 10Ex 33:17-22; 34:1, 4 - 10

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God’s Response: the most quoted, detailed,self disclosure of God in all of Scripture!

God’s Response: the most quoted, detailed,self disclosure of God in all of Scripture!

Then the Lord passed in front of him [Moses] and proclaimed Then the Lord passed in front of him [Moses] and proclaimed [his name and character],[his name and character],

YahwehYahweh, the compassionate and gracious God, , the compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, slow to anger,

abounding in loyal love and faithfulness abounding in loyal love and faithfulness [truth], [truth],

maintaining love to thousands, maintaining love to thousands,

and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin;and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin;

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God’s Response: the most quoted, detailed,self disclosure of God in all of Scripture!

God’s Response: the most quoted, detailed,self disclosure of God in all of Scripture! yetyet by no means will he leave the guilty by no means will he leave the guilty unpunished, unpunished,

visiting the sins of the fathers upon the visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children children

and upon the childrenand upon the children’’s children s children

to the third and fourth generation. to the third and fourth generation. (Moses bows low) (Moses bows low) Ex 34:5-8Ex 34:5-8

Israel’s God is aIsrael’s God is a known known GodGod In contrast, Daniel Block cites a pagan’s prayer (p34)…In contrast, Daniel Block cites a pagan’s prayer (p34)…

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Prayer to Every God (excerpts)Prayer to Every God (excerpts)

Discovered in Ninevah ruins,dated 668-633BCDiscovered in Ninevah ruins,dated 668-633BCMay the god whom I know or do not know be May the god whom I know or do not know be

quieted toward mequieted toward meThe god whom I know or do not know has The god whom I know or do not know has

oppressed me. oppressed me. The goddess whom I know or do not know has The goddess whom I know or do not know has

placed suffering upon me.placed suffering upon me.I kiss the feet of my goddess, I crawl before you.I kiss the feet of my goddess, I crawl before you.Mankind…what does he know? Whether he is Mankind…what does he know? Whether he is

committing sin or doing good, he does not even committing sin or doing good, he does not even know.know.

He is plunged into the waters of a swamp…He is plunged into the waters of a swamp…

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Known God vs IgnoranceKnown God vs IgnoranceHave you read Leviticus, Deuteronomy?Have you read Leviticus, Deuteronomy?Evangelicals tend to feel sorry for the IsraelitesEvangelicals tend to feel sorry for the Israelites Their Their burdenburden of observing all the OT laws of observing all the OT lawsPurification:Purification: the prerequisite the prerequisite for for acceptableacceptable worshipworship Consecration, washing body & clothing, Consecration, washing body & clothing, no discharge,no discharge, vaginal hemorrhage, skin vaginal hemorrhage, skin

diseases diseases QuarantineQuarantine!!The pagan’s prayer: reveals uncertainty in worship The pagan’s prayer: reveals uncertainty in worship Could OT regulations be a supreme grace?Could OT regulations be a supreme grace?The more detailed, the less left to guessworkThe more detailed, the less left to guesswork the more grace, more confidencethe more grace, more confidenceThe Israelites had clarity regarding worshipThe Israelites had clarity regarding worshipWhat about lack of What about lack of preparationpreparation for worship today? for worship today?

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God’s Response: the most quoted, detailed,self disclosure of God in all of Scripture!

God’s Response: the most quoted, detailed,self disclosure of God in all of Scripture! Then the Lord passed in front of him [Moses] and Then the Lord passed in front of him [Moses] and

proclaimed,proclaimed,YahwehYahweh, the compassionate and gracious , the compassionate and gracious

God, slow to anger, abounding in loyal love God, slow to anger, abounding in loyal love and faithfulness [truth], maintaining love to and faithfulness [truth], maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin; rebellion and sin; yetyet by no means will he by no means will he leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children and sins of the fathers upon the children and upon the childrenupon the children’’s children to the third and s children to the third and fourth generation. fourth generation. (Moses bows low) (Moses bows low) Ex 34:5-8Ex 34:5-8

Reiterated Reiterated oftenoften: Num 14:18; Neh 9:17; Ps 86:15, 103:8, : Num 14:18; Neh 9:17; Ps 86:15, 103:8, 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nah 1:3 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nah 1:3

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Applications?Applications?

Do we too desire God’s manifest presence Do we too desire God’s manifest presence today?today?

Isn’t this what we worship leaders live for?Isn’t this what we worship leaders live for?

Could God/HS Could God/HS withdraw presence withdraw presence today?today?

Must leaders be Must leaders be slow to angerslow to anger??Is Mediation Is Mediation required today?required today?

Do worship leaders face crisis situations?Do worship leaders face crisis situations?

Does sin have consequences?Does sin have consequences?

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Results of SinaiResults of Sinai

God angry, threatens to distance himselfGod angry, threatens to distance himself God God can’tcan’t countenance sin, rebellion countenance sin, rebellion Voltaire (way too glib): “God will forgive. That is his business.”

Sin makes presence of God impossibleSin makes presence of God impossible

Desperate need for Desperate need for MediatorMediator Eventually priests appointed to mediate Eventually priests appointed to mediate Eventually a place of intercession Eventually a place of intercession (Tabernacle)(Tabernacle)

Eventually, Jesus our high priest, our Eventually, Jesus our high priest, our mediator mediator Heb 9:11Heb 9:11

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QuizQuizWho must remain at base of Sinai?Who must remain at base of Sinai?In what ways is God’s power displayed on Mount In what ways is God’s power displayed on Mount

Sinai? List 4.Sinai? List 4.What is Mose’s argument in intervening for the What is Mose’s argument in intervening for the

people of Israel?people of Israel?Explain concretely: How is blood a significant Explain concretely: How is blood a significant

thread between OT and NT?thread between OT and NT?What is Mose’s personal request to God?What is Mose’s personal request to God?Describe 4 qualities of God’s character listed in Describe 4 qualities of God’s character listed in

His self-disclosure statementHis self-disclosure statement

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