I do not know how you feel, but I am not a fan of movie "reboots." In case you are not familiar, a "reboot" is when a movie studio takes a classic movie and attempts to update it in a variety of ways. It basically takes the plot and superimposes it into modern culture. It almost never works. I've seen reboots of Footloose, The Karate Kid, The Poseidon Adventure, and Red Dawn, among others. Without fail, they never match the intensity, acting, and overall impact that made the original so popular. I've heard Raiders of the Lost Ark is getting "rebooted." I will boycott that for sure!
In Hebrews 12 we see another "reboot" of sorts. Here, the author is making a comparison between the old and new covenants. The old covenant is represented by Mount Sinai. The new covenant is represented by Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem. However, in this instance, the new ("reboot") covenant is far superior to the original. Today we are going to take a look at the description of the old covenant, represented by Mount Sinai.
Hebrews 12:18-24 is composed of rhythmic phrases detailing the terrors of Mount Sinai set over against the joys of Mount Zion. The emphatic "not" of verse 18 (Greek ou), situated at the beginning of the sentence in Greek, finds its balance in the "but" ( Greek alla) at the beginning of verse 22.
Although the author of Hebrews never mentions Sinai by name, he clearly has that mountain in view in his poetic comments in these verses. He draws his depiction of the desert wanderers' encounter of God at Mount Sinai from the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy (e.g. Ex. 19:16-22; 20:18-21; Deut. 4:11-12; 5:23-27). In the Sinai encounter they came near to God in a solemn assembly to covenant with Him (Deut. 4:10-14). But the expierence was terrifying, and the author uses seven images from the Old Testament to drive home the event's terror:
1) [the mountain] that can[not] be touched
2) burning with fire
3) darkness
4) gloom
5) storm
6) a trumpet blast
7) a voice speaking words
The word "mountain" does not occur in the Greek text of verse 18, but most commentators have understood the concept as implied in the phrase "that can be touched." This idea probably alludes to Exodus 19:12: "Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.'" The images of "fire," "darkness," and "storm" are also taken from the Old Testament (Ex. 19:16-19; Deut. 4:11; 5:22-23). These manifestations of God's presence at Sinai were visible, striking the eyes of the Israelites with awe.
The two remaining manifestations of God's presence were auditory. The "trumpet blast" pierced the air around Sinai on the morning of the third day in the people's encounter with God, growing louder and louder, causing the Israelites to tremble with fear (Ex. 19:16, 19; 20:18). Concluding that list, the "voice speaking with words" came out of the fire (Deut. 4:12). The people did not see God's form but only heard the words. In response, they begged that God would speak to them no further (Ex. 20:18-19; Deut. 5:23-27), thus rejecting His message to them. Hebrews 12:20 adds the explanation, "because they could not bear what was commanded: 'If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned'" (Ex. 19:12-13). The people were aware of the boundaries God had placed between them and Him and were terrified that the boundaries seemed to be dissolving under the weight of that terrible voice.
In Hebrews 12:21, the writer concludes by noting that even the mediator of that covenant, Moses, was so overwhelmed by the experience-a fact not easily recognized in the passages to which the author up to this point has been alluding. Perhaps the best explanation is that the author is alluding to Deuteronomy 9:19a, where Moses says, "I feared the anger and wrath of the LORD." Although the context of Deuteronomy 9 concerns the people's idolatry with the golden calf, there exist several touch points with the earlier theophany (a visible manifestation to humankind of God) recounted in Deuteronomy 4. If this reading of the reference in Hebrews 12:21 is correct, Moses' "trembling with fear" is a response to the intensity of God's red-hot wrath in face of the people's sin. In any case, verse 21 adds to the impression of Mount Sinai, the old covenant mountain, as a place of darkness and dread.
Most people have a "live-for-today" mindset. A businessperson once said, "Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is just a promissory note, only today is cash." We may chafe against those who draw our attention to the distant past or the distant future, reasoning, "I have enough to worry about today." Our Lord echoed that sentiment in Matthew 6:34: "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." His concern, however, was to prevent people from becoming so preoccupied with meeting their own material needs that they are distracted from more vital, spiritual issues. His listeners were captivated by the need for clothing and food and forced to live hand to mouth and thread to tunic.
In a sense we are often so pressed by our schedules that the worry of tomorrow has been forced back into today. The rush and crush of these schedules have the same effect, however, of forcing spiritual considerations to the back burner. In our cultural context, therefore, the reality and relevance of the two mountains of Hebrews 12-one seemingly a fossil of the ancient past and the other a celestial image of another world-may be difficult to grasp. The looming, booming picture of Mount Sinai painted in 12:18-21 may seem more a caricature from some horror film than a real-life threat.
The two mountains must be understood as theological constructs, two ways of viewing relationship with God. This is the most important foundational key to interpreting Hebrews 12:18-24. Although the author couches his words in spatial language ("you have not come. . .but you have come"), he is not concerned with physical movement and literal mountains. The author of Hebrews is concerned where his listeners are in relation to God.
The sense of terror at Sinai, a place of noise and macabre images, flashes like lightning against a black storm cloud. The gloomy sights and the loud noises are the stuff of nightmares. Understandably, the people at the foot of the mountain want no part of it, begging that God will not speak anymore to them. Even Moses trembles with fear. Note further that the images in verses 18-21 are highly impersonal. Here we have fire, storm, gloom, warning, and a "disembodied" voice. Everything about this picture of Sinai says, "Stay away! Don't come any closer!" The covenant, that meaningful agreement between God and the Isrealites, was ratified from a distance because of the unholiness of the people. God resided in the gloom of his mountain, and the people were not allowed even to touch its base. The emphasis, therefore, rests on the unworthiness of the covenant assembly, on God's judgment of their sin.
Take some time today and allow the Spirit of God to imbed these truths into your hearts and minds. Tomorrow, we will take a look at the new covenant, represented by Mount Zion, and why it is a superior "reboot" to the old covenant. I look forward to seeing all of you in Sunday school this week.
Blessings,
Bryan
No comments:
Post a Comment