When God told Moses to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let His people go, Moses asked for a name. Whom should he tell the Egyptians and Israelites sent him? On what authority was he making these demands?
In response, God gave His name as simply “I AM.” It’s a name that means everything and yet nothing at the same time. It encompasses creation, authority, power, and presence, despite being so ambiguous that nobody could nail down exactly what God was.
Several months later, at the base of Mount Sinai, they weren’t much closer to getting a full picture of God. They knew about Him through the plagues and the miracles and the manna, but they still couldn’t put a face with a name. They never would; as God told Moses later, “no one can see My face and live” (Exodus 33:20).
What they did see (and what we see today) are the effects of God. They saw the parting of the Red Sea. They saw the water from the rock. And here, at the base of Mt Sinai, they saw the full force of creation on display for all.
Just think about how many different physical characteristics are present. When God descended on the mountain, there was smoke, thunder, fire, and an earthquake. All of this was heralded by a trumpet sound, which marks the presence of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16). There was no mistaking what had happened. God was there.
The moment was so intense that apparently there was a fear that the people would gaze intently on the mountain and unconsciously get too close. God sent Moses to deter the people from this temptation. They needed to stay mindful and present in His presence.
Two thousand years later, God would descend again in the Person of Jesus. Once again, when He arrived, He came with much fanfare (Luke 2:14).
His form was different, though. He didn’t come in in smoke and fire, but as a baby wrapped in stray cloths and placed in a manger. To the people that saw Him later, there was nothing special (Isaiah 53), just the humble form of a bondservant (Philippians 2:1-8).
Our response is still the same. At the presence of God, “every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10). Just like they did at the mountain.
