出埃及记［第19章］
[预备迎接神的降临]
主讲: 陈惠菁传道
26/02/2025
出埃及记19-20章标志着以色列百姓进入信仰的新阶段。过去，神像父母照顾婴孩般地满足以色列人的需要，但神期望他们成长成熟，承担更大的属灵责任。因此，在摩西设立了领袖体系后，神在西奈山宣布祂要降临，与百姓立约。要求百姓预备自己迎接祂的到来。
1. 神的救赎与带领（v1-4）
以色列人在出埃及后三个月来到西奈山，准备在五旬节（第50天）迎接神的律法和立约。神像老鹰背负百姓归向自己，救赎他们，使他们活出属天的生命，而非停留在求福的阶段。
2. 约的内容与祝福（v5-8）
a)在万民中作神珍贵的产业（v5b） ：以色列人成为神的珍宝，蒙神拣选，承载神的使命。
b)祭司的国度，圣洁的国民（v6-8）：以色列人被呼召成为祭司，向万国彰显神的荣耀，同时要分别为圣，与罪恶隔绝。
c)听从祂的话，遵守祂的约（v5a）：神的约带来祝福，但关键在于“听从祂的话，遵守祂的约”。然而，以色列人高估自己，虽然口头承诺，却在40天内背约拜金牛犊。提醒信徒对神的承诺要谨慎，不要轻易许诺却无法持守。
1. 神与人之间的中保（v9）
神在密云中向摩西显现，使百姓亲耳听见，好叫他们信任摩西的带领。这预表日后耶稣成为人与神之间的中保，今日信徒也承担大使命，成为未信者与神之间的桥梁。
2. 自洁与圣洁的预备（v10-11, 14-15, 22）
神命令百姓自洁、洗衣、保持圣洁，甚至祭司也必须分别为圣，否则会被神的圣洁所击杀。这提醒我们敬拜、祷告、服事前应当预备心，带着敬畏的态度来到神面前，不可随意敷衍。
3. 遵守神所定的界限（v12-13, 20-21, 23-25）
神设立界限，不容百姓随意靠近圣山，否则必被治死。神的界限是保护，而非束缚。信徒不可轻忽神的圣洁，也要遵行神设立的界限，不随己意行事。
••神呼召以色列人预备自己迎接祂的降临，藉着立约赐福他们，同时要求他们分别为圣、听从与遵守，并活出真实的信仰。
•我们蒙召成为神圣洁的子民，承担祭司的职分，传扬神的荣耀。
•在人的面前活出神为我们所设立的界限。
•存敬畏、顺服的心，预备迎接主的再来，忠心持守与祂所立的约！
Exodus 19
Prepare to Meet God’s Coming
26/02/2025
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Stella
Exodus 19–20 marks a new stage in the faith journey of the Israelites. Previously, God cared for them like a parent providing for an infant’s needs. However, He now expected them to mature spiritually and take on greater responsibility. After Moses established a leadership system, God declared at Mount Sinai that He would descend and establish a covenant with His people. The Israelites were required to prepare themselves for His coming.
1. God's Redemption and Guidance (v1-4)
Three months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai, preparing to receive God’s law and covenant on the Day of Pentecost (the 50th day). God carried them like an eagle, bringing them to Himself, redeeming them, and calling them to live a heavenly life beyond mere pursuit of blessings.
2. The Content and Blessings of the Covenant (v5-8)
A Treasured Possession Among All Nations (v5b): The Israelites were chosen as God’s special treasure, entrusted with His mission.
A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation (vv6-8): They were called to be priests, revealing God’s glory to the nations while remaining set apart from sin.
Obedience to God’s Voice and Covenant (v5a): The covenant brought blessings, but the key was obedience. The Israelites overestimated themselves—though they verbally committed, they broke the covenant within 40 days by worshiping the golden calf. This reminds believers to be cautious in their commitments to God, ensuring they follow through on their promises.
1. The Mediator Between God and Man (v9)
God appeared to Moses in a dense cloud so that the Israelites could hear Him and trust Moses' leadership. This foreshadowed Jesus as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. Today, believers also serve as bridges between non-believers and God, fulfilling the Great Commission.
2. Purification and Preparation for Holiness (v10-11, 14-15, 22)
God commanded the people to consecrate themselves, wash their clothes, and maintain purity. Even the priests had to be set apart, or they would face death due to God’s holiness. This reminds believers to prepare their hearts with reverence in worship, prayer, and service, rather than approaching God carelessly.
3. Observing God’s Boundaries (v12-13, 20-21, 23-25)
God set strict limits, forbidding the Israelites from approaching the mountain, under penalty of death. His boundaries were for protection, not restriction. Believers must not take God’s holiness lightly but should respect His commands and avoid acting according to personal desires.
•God called the Israelites to prepare for His coming by making a covenant with them, blessing them, and requiring holiness, obedience, and true faith.
•As God's holy people, we are called to be priests, proclaiming His glory.
•We must live within the boundaries God has established.
•With reverence and obedience, we should prepare for the Lord’s return, faithfully keeping His covenant!