Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him [that is, a profound reverence for Him] will remain with you, so that you do not sin.”
Exodus 20:20 AMP
The consequence of sin remains constant, particularly in our relationship with God and each other. Sin fractures this relationship, fostering fear that leads to hiding, rather than seeking restoration. In Exodus 20:20, Moses consoles the people, urging them not to fear. He reassured them that the purpose of God’s presence is to instil a deep reverence, preventing them from succumbing to sin.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:7-8,11-13 NIV
This destructive pattern of sin is evident in the aftermath of Adam and Eve’s transgression. They concealed their nakedness from God and each other. They made coverings for themselves and hid from God’s presence. In fact, when questioned by God, they hid from the truth, refusing to take responsibilities for their actions.
Likewise, the Israelites in this passage distanced themselves from God’s voice. They preferred Moses to relay God’s message instead of hearing directly. It’s crucial to recognize that while God is holy and cannot tolerate sin, He always listens to the voice of a repentant sinner. No one can purify themselves of sin, so God never expects sinners to cleanse themselves before approaching Him for forgiveness. His consistent response is: “Do not be afraid.”
Samuel said to them, “Don’t be fearful. It’s true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don’t turn your back on God. Worship and serve him heart and soul! Don’t chase after ghost-gods. There’s nothing to them. They can’t help you. They’re nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who he is, is not going to walk off and leave his people. God took delight in making you into his very own people.”
1 Samuel 12:20-22 MSG
God hasn’t come to destroy you because of your sin; instead, He delights in making you His own. The “lightning and thundering on the mountain” serve as symbols of divine authority. It’s not intended to instil terror but to replace guilty fear with a deep reverence for God. While fear of God might drive a person to hide, reverence for God prevents actions that could harm their fellowship with Him.
In conclusion, the narrative of sin and redemption echoes across generations. From Adam and Eve’s attempt to hide their transgressions to the Israelites seeking refuge from God’s direct voice, a common thread emerges—fear born of sin. However, God’s response remains constant: “Don’t be afraid.” His purpose is not destruction but the transformation of individuals into His cherished people. In recognizing our shortcomings and approaching God with repentant hearts, we find that He takes delight in making us His own.
So, remember this enduring truth: God’s call is not to fear but to reverence, not to destruction but to transformation. Let the awe of His presence guide you, ensuring that your actions align with His will. In doing so, you become a living testament to the profound grace and mercy that define your relationship with the Creator.
