Exodus 19:9-15

From time to time, I have had the privilege of participating in an installation service for a new pastor in a church.  It is a joyous but also a solemn occasion. In it, a charge is given to the pastor and another to the congregation. A biblically based message is given and then a prayer is offered in which the elders place hands on the new minister and pray over him.  At the end of the service, the new pastor gives a blessing to the people he will lead.  

Exodus 19:16-25   

The storm was predicted three days in advance. The early springlike weather made me skeptical that any big deal would materialize. Then it happened. A lightning bolt pierced the darkness of the night. It was followed by the loudest crash of thunder I had ever heard. In fact, it was so powerful that the neighbor’s car alarm went off. Then my security alarm went off. Sounds intensified from the car and the house. Lights flashed orange on the inside security panel. The security company sent a text message and a follow up phone call. Are you okay? When I managed to remember the passcode that was to signal that I was safe from all harm, the caller told me to have a good night and stay safe. (Total transparency: my wife was the brave one who went downstairs to make sure that no burglar had broken in and to shut off that loud, flashing warning system! We would live without that alarm system until the storm passed!)

Exodus 20:1-21

The thunder and lightning, sound of the trumpet, smoke and earthquake on the mountain was God’s way of presenting himself to Israel. If there ever was a theophany, this was it! God has shown up and manifested himself to human beings.