THE MOUNTAINS OF GOD
The book of Hebrews talks about the two ways we can approach God, characterized by the mountains of Sinai and Zion (Hebrews 12:18-24).
The first mountain is a terrifying one: one where perfection is required of the follower, and the slightest sin will condemn them. In today's OT reading, Jehu went to this mountain. It was a bloodbath, and it’s kinda hard to read without feeling sick to your stomach. Two kings, the queen mother, seventy sons of Ahab, political allies, and unnumbered worshippers of Baal, all gruesomely killed. But for all his “zeal for the Lord,” the footnote at the end of the passage reveals his fatal flaw: “Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart.” (2 Kings 10:31) Later on, God tells the prophet Hosea that even Jehu’s zeal was too much, and needed to be accounted for (Hosea 1:4-5). Make no mistake: this way of approaching God is impossible — the Law can only condemn you, it can never make you perfect.
The second mountain is a beautiful one: one where the living God dwells, along with the assembly of those perfect by the blood of Jesus (that would be you, if you’ve come to faith in Christ). This is the mountain that Paul is preaching about as he travels through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. It’s what the Greeks in Athens ask him about. This Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—freely offers salvation to whoever believes. Here there is no impossible striving to obtain God’s favor; just righteousness, forgiveness, and the beauty of a new adopted family.
Praise God today for His indescribable gift!
The first mountain is a terrifying one: one where perfection is required of the follower, and the slightest sin will condemn them. In today's OT reading, Jehu went to this mountain. It was a bloodbath, and it’s kinda hard to read without feeling sick to your stomach. Two kings, the queen mother, seventy sons of Ahab, political allies, and unnumbered worshippers of Baal, all gruesomely killed. But for all his “zeal for the Lord,” the footnote at the end of the passage reveals his fatal flaw: “Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart.” (2 Kings 10:31) Later on, God tells the prophet Hosea that even Jehu’s zeal was too much, and needed to be accounted for (Hosea 1:4-5). Make no mistake: this way of approaching God is impossible — the Law can only condemn you, it can never make you perfect.
The second mountain is a beautiful one: one where the living God dwells, along with the assembly of those perfect by the blood of Jesus (that would be you, if you’ve come to faith in Christ). This is the mountain that Paul is preaching about as he travels through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. It’s what the Greeks in Athens ask him about. This Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—freely offers salvation to whoever believes. Here there is no impossible striving to obtain God’s favor; just righteousness, forgiveness, and the beauty of a new adopted family.
Praise God today for His indescribable gift!
by Erik Brommer
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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