OUTWARD APPEARANCES

NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE FROM ISRAEL ON OUTWARD APPEARANCES

Exod. 19:8 “And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”

These words should be most carefully pondered, because they are vital to an understanding of this whole story. The words of Jehovah to the people, to which these words of the people constituted a reply, were the words of infinite grace. He reminded them of His dealings with them in redemption from slavery, and in bringing them to Himself; He also declared His purpose for them, that they should be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Let it be observed that these are the very terms which describe His purpose for His Church, so far as the earthly calling of that Church is concerned; the heavenly calling differs greatly. Their response to that word of grace was a declaration that they would do everything necessary on their part to be worthy of that redemption, and to fulfill that purpose. How little they knew themselves! Their answer was sincere, but it was ignorant. The very next words of Jehovah were, "Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud," and these prepared the way for the Law and the priesthood. These were provided then for a people who, however sincere their desire, were yet not able to realize the high ideals and purposes of God. Thus began the period of Law which continued until Calvary and Pentecost. It was a period of the persistent failure of these people, and of the persistent patience and victory of God; even so with us. We say, "All that Jehovah hath spoken we will do," and we fail. But God never fails. He waits and pursues His own way of grace and government. We may truthfully say, both for Israel and for the Church, All that Jehovah hath spoken some will do finally, but it will be by His grace, and not by their own wisdom or strength.

The Church is Spirit empowered and therefore without excuse for not fulfilling their intended purpose. Many tares have infiltrated the body and the waters are muddy concerning the true spirit empowered fulfillers of His will.

NOTE: This oral response of the people is commended by the LORD in Deut. 5:27-28: "Everything they said was good." Their subsequent history, however, shows that they had failed to realize their own spiritual and moral weakness and the infinite perfection of the divine law which they so easily were engaging themselves to obey. See God's lament in Deut. 5:29: "Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always."