Sermon Text:

Exodus 19:7-25

In todays text, YHWH descends onto Mount Sinai. The text describes this scene in vivid language as the divine erupts into the earthly realm. As the presence of YHWH is made manifest we are introduced to a new aspect of YHWH’s identity, His holiness. We discuss the concept of holiness and what specifically about YHWH holiness is meant to communicate. It is another one of those concepts that seems antiquated but we look at how it can be relevant to us. In the end we are left with the amazing and mysterious paradox and balance of the individual and the community, the immanent and the transcendent, the present and the other which are all brought together in this event. We explore all of these themes as we study the first line of the Lord’s prayer and how it relates to this amazing passage.