A Dark and Foreboding Mountain
McCabe, James Dabney, 1842-1883, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Misunderstood Fear
The value and purpose of fear are often misunderstood. Many tout the absence of fear as a good thing, as a sign of bravery or courage. But those acknowledged for their bravery and courage speak of moving beyond their fear. It wasn’t absent—it was overcome.
Anxious fear paralyzes a person, whereas a respectful fear motivates. Anxious fear produces worry and muddled thinking. A fear of respect heightens awareness, brings alertness, and clarity to our thinking.
Anxious fear paralyzes a person, whereas a respectful fear tends to motivate. The fight-or-flight response illustrates this distinction in fear.
When it comes to God, people often mix the two together as if it's all the same. This brings confusion and misunderstanding. When both types of fear are dismissed, it's as if God doesn't exist. Both responses are unwise.
These few verses in Hebrews 12 remind the reader of the dark and foreboding scene of Mount Sinai when God descended upon it with fire and smoke like a smoldering furnace. The mountain shook and trembled as God called out to Moses from the mountain to go up to receive the Law with the Ten Commandments.
Not only were the people terrified, but Moses also trembled with fear (see Exodus 19:16-25)
Scripture Text
You have not come to something that you can feel, to a blazing fire, to darkness, to gloom, to a storm, to a trumpet’s blast, and to a voice. When your ancestors heard that voice, they begged not to hear it say another word.
They couldn’t obey [bear] the command that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”
The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said he was trembling and afraid. [vss 18-21]
(Hebrews 12:18-21 GW) [Context– Hebrews 12]
Key Phrase
You have not come to something that you can feel, to a blazing fire, to darkness...
Digging Deeper Into the Text
What are the images of the scene described here? What is this leading up to?
Who is spoken to, and what are they told? Do you understand why?
What is Moses' response to all of this and why?
How would this apply to believers then and now?
Things to Consider
The fear of God is often misunderstood. It is typically viewed in one extreme or another. Either abject anxious fear or a humble respect.
This scene and several other places in the Bible describe the fear of God as an overwhelming awe. A realization of who God is, which made Moses tremble, yet also drew him up the mountain to meet with God.
It is, at once, a sense of how personal and powerful God is.
This reminder of the scene before Moses received the Law on tablets of stone reinforces how different the Old and New Covenants are (see Hebrews 8:8-9).
It is a solemn warning of how important and necessary it is to hold firmly to the truth of the New Covenant of grace through our relationship with Jesus as both Lord and Savior (see Hebrews 8:10-12).
We do not need to fear God with the anxious dread people had at the base of that dark and foreboding sight of Mount Sinai.
We need to respect the Lord for who He is. He is a powerful Sovereign, yet He is gracious. He calls us to trust in Him because of His kindness, goodness, and His power over sin and death.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life
Are you familiar with this story? If not, it's found in Exodus Chap 19.
How does this relate to all that's been written in the book of Hebrews up to this point?
How is it related to what's been Jesus and His atoning (redemptive) death upon the cross?
Have you experienced the difference between paralyzing and motivating fears, and the fear of God?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
