Exodus 19-21

God deserves separation – His holiness demands it. Some might look at the beginning of 19 and say, "God is mean and afraid of people getting close." This simply is not true – He is "holy" or "other" and is teaching the people this. He wants us to know we are not like Him. He wants us to know we can't get close to Him anymore (remember the fall in the garden?). However, this is the start of a relationship with Him that will be fulfilled through Christ that we might get close to Him again – that we might be allowed to enter His throne room with confidence. Chapter 20 of course is the Ten Commandments – are there any that read differently to you now that you are reading them yourself?

The people's reaction to His voice (vox dei) on the mountain shows us that God is not trying to create separation. Separation already exists. The fact that the people don't want to hear from God anymore should show us this. He is a God that creates fear. Fear of God is a strange emotion and action. It is not as much a scary fear, but one of reverence. It is one of potential: If He is like that (all-powerful), then He could (do anything, including judge me right now), but doesn't and I am fearful/respectful/in awe. It is also a bit like how you might feel when meeting a celebrity – only way more intense! You are speechless and stuttering in His presence. This is a sign of fear, but not the cowering in the corner from an abuser sort of fear. The fear of God is due to His power, His holiness, His potential.

Chapter 21 is a look into some of the laws the Israelites are to obey now. Some would cringe at the passages about slavery, but one must see that God is teaching the Israelites to be different than those around them. Notice there is retribution for mistreating a slave. This was not the case in Egypt, and certainly not the case in Canaan. God wanted Israel to be different, and this was the start. Where today the church has won the battle of slavery (men like William Wilberforce in England for one), at the time of these laws, there was much to be learned. You might imagine God standing before a classroom, pointing at a board and saying, "Repeat after me class, 'A human is a human and must be treated like a human.' Good! Class, Good!" God was revealing his ways and teaching them to act His ways – slowly so they could keep up and follow through.