QT 3/27/2026 Exo 20:18-26, Be careful out there

Exodus 20:18–26 (ESV) —

18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

22 And the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. 24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. 26 And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’

 

NOTE: I think the key theme in this passage is fear. And the fear is not just respect for God, but a very healthy respect for his power and his holiness. When I say Holiness, I have in my mind, his hatred / anger at sin, his absolute purity, and his justice. God will not let sin go unpunished. Now, Jesus has taken the punishment for sin upon himself. But God's discipline as a Father to his sons is not to be so easily dismissed. We need to be very careful how we walk.

 

Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Psalm 119:9 (ESV) — How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

Romans 13:13 (ESV) — Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

 

We carry God's name on our person. It is much like our surname. What we do affects others. Sometimes the world attacks our good name with lies and accusations. Sometimes, those accusations are true. We need to pray daily that we do not fall into Satan's trap.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I walking wisely or am I skirting corners?
2. Do I fear the damage I might to do to the name of God for certain sins?

 

PRAYER: Father, protect me from the devil's evil schemes. Protect me. Keep me from his grasp. He is a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I need your grace and your mercy and your protection.