READ: Ex. 20:18–26: … the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking … that His fear may be before you … You shall not make anything to be with Me — gods … you shall not make for yourself …
The appearance of the LORD to His people is so overwhelming that they tremble with fear and flee to a safe distance from the mountain. In this way the LORD teaches them to deal with Him as their God with reverence and awe.
The people urge Moses to speak with the LORD as their mediator from then on, because they cannot endure direct communication with God.
Heb. 12:18–21 confirms that not only the people but also Moses himself was deeply afraid and trembling. Therefore God does not give the law directly to the people, but through a mediator.
In Deut. 5 Moses later reminds the people of this when he rereads the law:
“The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb … The LORD talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain) …
So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me …
And you said: ‘Surely the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire; we have seen this day that God speaks with man, yet he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall die. …
You go near, and hear all that the LORD our God may say, and tell us all that the LORD our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.’ Then the LORD heard the voice of your words … and the LORD said to me: … ‘They have spoken well.’”
Thus Moses becomes the mediator. Gal. 3:19 confirms this: “The law was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.”
Is there reason for fear in ourselves? When is there, and when is there not?
Sing: Ps. 99:4,5