The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy: Why We Can Come Near God without Fear (Hebrews 12:18-24)
In my Bible, the heading over Hebrews 12:18-29 says, “The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy.” This title is appropriate because, in this section, the writer metaphorically uses two mountains to illustrate the Kingdom of God: Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion.
The writer contrasts and compares these two mountains to describe what can and cannot be shaken. In the end, God’s people are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (v. 28a).
Let’s begin by looking at Hebrews 12:18-22:
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
To understand this passage, we must go back to the Old Testament and look at an event that happened to Israel three months after the exodus from Egypt.
The people of God came to the Desert of Sinai and made camp at the foot of Mt. Sinai. On top of Mt. Sinai, God reminds Moses that Israel is His treasured possession and must keep His commands. Moses comes down from the mountain, tells the people what God has said, and with one accord, the people lift their voices, “We will do everything the LORD has said” (Exodus 19:8). Moses receives their answer and then climbs back to the top of the mountain to relay their response.
Before Moses could deliver the people’s answer, God said:
“I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you” (Exodus 19:9).
God is speaking of a future event where He would appear (at Mt. Sinai) to the people in this way to confirm Moses’s leadership. As the leader, Moses was responsible for calling Israel to a time of consecration. He must also establish boundaries around Mt. Sinai so the people can view God’s presence from a safe distance (Exodus 19:10-15).
After two full days of preparation, Moses leads the people to the foot of Mt. Sinai, where God shows up as promised.
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him (Exodus 19:16-19).
After the Lord descended on the mountain, Moses ascended it to meet with God and hear His word (Exodus 19:20). God’s word was a warning that the people should not “force their way through to see the Lord “or they would die. Not even the priests of Israel could approach God at Mt. Sinai. Only Moses and Aaron can stand before the Lord (Exodus 19:21-24).
In my estimation, God is using this demonstration to confirm the mediatorial role Moses will play as the leader of Israel. He will stand in the gap between God's awesome power and the people's sinfulness. Israel is also getting a glimpse of the awfulness of God’s wrath that will break out on them for disobedience.
The writer of Hebrews brings this scene from Exodus 19 back to the collective memory of this Jewish audience (Hebrews 12:18-21). But for what purpose?
Remember, the overall theme of Hebrews is that Jesus is better than everything. So, after recounting this terrifying and fear-filled scene from Exodus 19, the writer pivots and shows how they have come to a different mountain.
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:22-24)
Three times the audience of Hebrews is told, “…you have come.” Israel could not come to Mt. Sinai even after days of consecration and abstinence. But this group of Hebrew Christians is set free to approach God in faith. To joyfully come into God’s presence with the angels, the church, and all believers. They are free because God has judged their sin through the mediation of the Son, making them righteous and perfect.
The blood of Jesus has thundered from Mt. Sinai, a better word than the blood of Abel. What? Abel’s blood is the first shed by another in human existence. His blood cries out from the ground for vengeance.
In contrast, the blood of Jesus cries for our forgiveness! God’s wrath is appeased through the better blood of Christ. His blood makes our righteousness and perfection possible. His blood, once and for all, consecrates us so completely that we can “…approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrew 4:16).
In his sermon notes on Hebrews 12:18-29, Glenn Hejney magnificently illustrates how the contrasts and comparisons between Sinai and Zion reveal Jesus as better than Moses.
Mount Sinai was marked by fear and terror. Mount Zion is a place of love and forgiveness.
Mount Sinai is in the desert. Mount Zion is the city of the Living God.
Mount Sinai spoke of earthly things. Mount Zion speaks of heavenly things.
At Mount Sinai, only Moses was allowed to draw near to God. At Mount Zion, an innumerable company, a general assembly is invited to draw near.
Mount Sinai was characterized by guilty men in fear. Mount Zion features just men made perfect.
At Mount Sinai, Moses was the mediator. At Mount Zion, Jesus is the mediator.
Mount Sinai brings an Old Covenant, ratified by animals’ blood. Mount Zion brings a New Covenant, which is ratified by the blood of God's precious Son.
Mount Sinai was all about exclusion, keeping people away from the mountain. Mount Zion is all about the invitation.
Mount Sinai is all about Law. Mount Zion is all about grace.
Let me put it another way, your faith in Christ removed the wrath of God, and you have now entered a place of peace! You are his son. You are his daughter. The fear of God no longer controls you. Instead, you live in His favor. You are no longer distant from God. Christ has come near and torn down the wall of separation.
God has changed mountains! He dwells on the mountain of grace. He resides in the halls of Mt. Zion’s justice. The price of our sin and shame is paid. We have come to God by faith in the Son, and by grace, the Holy Spirit adopts us into the family.
Our Triune God bellows out a message of grace to all who will hear — See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks (Hebrews 12:25). Let’s talk about that next week.
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