ISRAEL AT SINAI; THE CHURCH AT ZION
Exodus 19; Hebrews 12:18-24

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Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, where they entered into a covenant with God (Exodus 19). But they later broke this covenant, and God prophesied of entering into a new covenant with another Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This prophecy has been fulfilled (Hebrews 8). This new Israel is the church of Christ (Galatians 6:14-16), those who trust in Him, not in their own flesh. The church is contrasted to Israel in Hebrews 12:18-24.

"For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched ..." (v.18). Sinai was a physical mountain. It is here to be contrasted with a spiritual mountain and spiritual experience.

"... and that burned with fire ..." (v.18; see Exodus 19:18). This fire represents Christ's majestic holiness and His fierce wrath against sinners (as in Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29).

"... and to blackness and darkness and tempest ..." (v.18; see Exodus 19:9, 16, 18 & 20:18 & Deuteronomy 4:11). Christ hid Himself in darkness when He appeared to Israel, and struck fear into their hearts with thunderings and lightnings.

"... and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore." (v.19; see Exodus 19:16, 19). The trumpet sounded an alarm. The spoken words were those of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Israel rejoiced at not having died upon hearing these things, but desired to not hear them again lest they should then die (Deuteronomy 5:23-27).

"But you have come to Mount Zion ..." (v.22). What a contrast Zion is to Sinai! Sinai is in a wilderness; Zion is in the "land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8, 17). Sinai is barren; Zion is "the perfection of beauty" (Psalm 50:2). Christ enshrouded Himself on Sinai in "blackness and darkness"; He shines forth from Zion (Psalm 50:2). Sinai was a place of fear to Israel; Zion is "the joy of the whole earth" (Psalm 48:2). Sinai was but visited by Christ; Zion is His dwelling place (Psalm 9:11) and throne seat (Psalm 2:6; 110:1f). From Sinai Christ issued His law; from Zion He issues His gospel (Isaiah 40:9). Christ's words on Sinai were feared to cause death; His words from Zion are known to bring life (John 6:63, 68). The trumpet sounded at Sinai was of alarm; the trumpet to be heard on Zion will be of victory (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16ff).

"... and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem ..." (v.22). The heavenly Jerusalem is that which symbolizes the New Covenant, and is comprised of free men who are not under the bondage of the law of the Old Covenant given at Mount Sinai (Galatians 5:21-31). It is also the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:1f, 9-10ff), His church (Ephesians 5:22-32).

"... to an innumerable company of angels ..." (v.22). God's angels who ministered at Mount Sinai numbered in the mere tens of thousands (Deuteronomy 33:2). But all His innumerable angels minister to Zion the church (Hebrews 1:14).

"... to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven ..." (v.23). The congregation at Mount Sinai was restricted to the nation Israel, and not all their names are recorded in heaven (e.g. Dathan, Korah, and Abiram [Numbers 16]). But Zion the church is comprised of all who in Christ are presently congregated in glory (Ephesians 1:20; 2:6), whether Jew or Gentile, whether already in heaven or yet on earth.

"... to God the Judge of all ..." (v.23). Christ was on Sinai Israel's Lawgiver. But He is on Zion the Head of all society (Psalm 110:1f) and the final Judge of all (Revelation 20:11ff).

"... to the spirits of just men made perfect ..." (v.23). Israel "trembled" at Christ's presence at Sinai because they knew their sinfulness (Exodus 19:16). But the church rejoices in Christ at Zion because they know they are justified (Romans 5:1f).

"... to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant ..." (v.24). Compared to the Old Covenant, the New is a better covenant with better promises and a better Mediator (Hebrews 8:5f).

"... and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel" (v.24). The blood of Abel called for vengeance (Genesis 4:10). But the blood of Christ calls for the salvation of those for whom it was shed (1 John 2:1f; 1:9).