Exodus 20:18 - Meaning and Application

I. The law was given with extraordinary fear and awe. Nothing had ever been delivered with such solemn display. Every word seemed marked out by thunder and lightning, far louder and brighter than anything ordinary. Why was the law given in such a dreadful way, with so much ceremony?

1. It was meant, once and for all, to give people a clear sense of the glorious majesty of God. This would help faith, because when we know the fear of the Lord, we are moved to live in his fear.

2. It was a picture of the terrors of the final judgment, when sinners will answer for breaking this law. Then the archangel’s trumpet will sound an alarm to announce the Judge’s coming, and fire will go before him.

3. It showed what happens when the law brings conviction, that is, deep awareness of sin, into the conscience, preparing the soul for the comforts of the gospel. The law was given through Moses in a way that would startle, frighten, and humble people, so that the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ would be more welcome. The apostle describes this fearful scene at length as a contrast that highlights our privileges as Christians, who live in the light, freedom, and joy of the New Testament era (Hebrews 12:18).

II. The people’s response showed how deeply this affected them. They must have had very dull hearts if they were not moved by it. They moved back and stood at a distance (Exodus 20:18). Before God began to speak, they had pushed forward to look (Exodus 19:21), but now they were fully corrected in their boldness and taught to keep their place.

They also asked that this word should not be spoken to them in that way again (Hebrews 12:19). Instead, they begged God to speak to them through Moses (Exodus 20:19). In doing this, they accepted Moses as the mediator, the one who would stand between them and God. They chose him as a fit person to deal with God for them, and promised to listen to him as God’s messenger. This also teaches us to accept the way God in his wisdom has chosen to speak to us through people like ourselves, whose presence should not terrify us, and whose hand should not be heavy on us.

God had once tried speaking directly to human beings, but they could not bear it. It drove people away from God rather than bringing them to him. And as the outcome showed, even though it frightened them, it did not keep them from idolatry, because soon after this they worshiped the golden calf. So we should be content with the teaching given to us through Scripture and ministry. If we do not believe that, we would not be persuaded even if God spoke to us in thunder and lightning, as he did from Mount Sinai. That matter was settled there.

III. Moses encouraged the people by explaining God’s purpose in the terror (Exodus 20:20). He said, “Do not be afraid,” meaning, “Do not think that the thunder and fire are meant to destroy you,” which was what they feared (Exodus 20:19, “lest we die”). Thunder and lightning had been one of the plagues of Egypt, but Moses did not want them to think these signs had come on them for the same reason as they had come on the Egyptians.

No, they were meant, first, to test them, to see how they would feel about dealing with God directly, without a mediator, and so to show them how wisely God had chosen for them in placing Moses in that role. Ever since Adam ran away when he heard God’s voice in the garden, sinful people have not been able to bear speaking to God directly or hearing from him directly.

Second, these signs were meant to keep them in their duty and restrain them from sin. He tells them, “Do not be afraid,” and yet also says that God spoke this way so that his fear would remain before them. We must not fear in a way that overwhelms us, a fear that brings torment, works only on the imagination for the moment, makes us tremble, leads to bondage, hands us over to Satan, and pushes us away from God. Instead, we should always keep in mind a reverent respect for God’s majesty, a dread of his displeasure, and willing obedience to his authority over us. That kind of fear will stir us to do our duty and make us careful in how we live. So, “Stand in awe, and do not sin” (Psalm 4:4).

IV. The people’s fellowship with God continued through Moses as mediator (Exodus 20:21). While the people stayed at a distance, aware of their guilt and afraid of God’s wrath, Moses drew near to the thick darkness. He was made to draw near, that is the sense of the words. Moses would not have dared to go into the darkness by himself unless God had called him, encouraged him, and, as some rabbis think, sent an angel to take him by the hand and lead him up.

In this, Moses points us to the great Mediator, of whom it is said, “I will cause him to draw near” (Jeremiah 30:21). Through him we also are brought near to God (Ephesians 3:12).