The Strand Study Bible

EXODUS EXODUS 19:3 How do we know that the term “ LORD ” here is referring to GOD THE FATHER and not GOD THE SON ? Exodus 23:20-23 says: 208

Behold, I (referring back to the LORD in verse 3) send an ANGEL before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of HIM , and obey HIS voice, provoke HIM not; for HE will not pardon your transgressions: for MY name is in HIM . But if thou shalt indeed obey HIS voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine ANGEL shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.

19:9 Once the people of God arrived at Sinai, God let Moses know that He wanted to speak to the people personally. However, in order to hear what God was going to say to them, they needed to “prepare their hearts” by remembering seven truths: 1. God always keeps His Word ( Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians – vs 3-4) God knows the influence His Word can have and what it can accomplish in the lives of His people. However, if His people fail to believe His Word, He has no influence. If God is a God of His Word (and He is – Num 23:19), then the Bible is worth listening to; it’s worth our attention. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If you cannot be influenced, how can you be an influence? Until we are totally convinced that God always keeps His Word , we will never approach His Word properly. Seeing that praise is based upon God keeping His Word (and it is – Psa 138:2), learning to praise God for who He is according to His Word (Lk 11:2a - Hallowed be thy name ) will help us to be convinced that God always keeps His Word . Thus, if our prayer life is right, our approach to God’s Word will be right! 2. God always blesses obedience ( if ye will obey … then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people… And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation – vs 5-6) If God blesses obedience (and He does), then the Bible is worth obeying; it’s worth our obedience. Until we are totally convinced that God blesses obedience , we will never approach His Word properly. Seeing that the will ( pleasure ) of God is based upon us keeping His Word (and it is – Josh 1:8), asking God to help us do His will ( pleasure ) (Lk 11:2b - Thy will be done , as in heaven, so in earth ) will help us to be convinced that God always blesses obedience . Thus, if our prayer life is right, our approach to God’s Word will be right! 3. God always desires to speak to us personally ( that the people may hear when I speak – vs 7-9) God doesn’t always speak to the leader (I Sam 3:1-11, Judges 13:1-3 and Lk 1:26-30); sometimes He wants to speak just to us. If God desires to speak with us personally (and He does – Jn 1:1,14), then the Bible is worth our while; it’s worthwhile. Until we are totally convinced that God wants to deal with us personally , we will never approach His Word properly. Seeing that provision is based upon us keeping God’s promises (and it is – Deut 28:1-2), praying for God to provide (Lk 11:3 - Give us day by day our daily bread ) helps us to be convinced that God always wants to deal with us personally . Thus, if our prayer life is right, our approach to God’s Word will be right! 4. God always wants a clean heart first ( and sanctify them… be ready – vs 10-11) Before God feeds us, He wants us to wash our hands (Prov 1:23 & I Jn 1:9). If God desires a clean heart first (and He does – I Jn 1:9), then the Bible is worth our confession. Until we are totally convinced that God wants a clean heart first , we will never approach His Word properly. Seeing that penitence is based upon our response to God’s Word (and it is – Prov 1:23), asking God for forgiveness (Lk 11:4a - And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us ) will help us to be convinced that God always wants a clean heart first . Thus, if our prayer life is right, our approach to God’s Word will be right! 5. God always wants a solemn approach to His Word ( thou shalt set bounds unto the people – vs 12-13) If God desires a solemn approach to His Word (and He does), then the Bible is worth our respect; it’s worth our sincerity. Until we are totally convinced that God wants a solemn approach to His Word , we will never approach His Word properly. Seeing that our protection from the world, the devil, and the flesh is based upon God keeping His Word (and it is – Josh 1:5), asking God to protect us from those things which keep us from hearing Him clearly (Lk 11:4b - And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil ) will help us to be convinced that God always wants a solemn approach to His Word . Thus, if our prayer life is right, our approach to God’s Word will be right! 6. God always wants a sacrificial approach ( come not at your wives – vs 14-15) If God desires a sacrificial approach to His Word (and He does), then the Bible is worth our all; it’s priceless (Prov 8:11 & 23:23). Until we are totally convinced that God wants a sacrificial approach to His Word , we will never approach His Word properly. Seeing that people are of a great interest to God (and they are – Jn 3:16), asking God to help people (Lk 11:6 - For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? ) helps to convinced us that God always wants a sacrificial approach to His Word . Thus, if our prayer life is right, our approach to God’s Word will be right! 7. God always speaks in time ( And it came to pass on the third day – vs 16-17) God said He wants to speak to us, and given time He will. If God always speaks in time (and He does – Heb 1:1-2), then the Bible is worth the wait; it’s worth our patience (Exo 24:13-16). Until we are totally convinced that God will speak to us in time , we will never approach His Word properly. Seeing that our patience with God determines His purpose with us, asking God for continual power (Lk 11:13 - how much more shall your heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ), helps to convinced us that God will speak in time (Acts 1:4-5 & 2:1-11). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Those who prepare their hearts to hear the Word of God... always do!