Why did God come in fire and thunder at Sinai? In Exodus 19, God descends on Mount Sinai in fire, smoke, and thunder, and the whole mountain trembles. Dr. Toby Holt explores this terrifying display of God's holiness. Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel reaches Sinai, where God meets them in fire and trumpet blasts. No one may touch the mountain and live; the people must consecrate themselves to approach a holy God. The nearer we come to God, the more we see our sin. The good news: when Christ died, the temple veil tore, and through Him the holy God is now approachable.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did God appear in fire and thunder? To display His holiness and authority as the Lawgiver. The awesome scene taught Israel to revere Him.

2. Why couldn't the people approach the mountain? Because God is holy and they were sinful; to touch it meant death. It showed the distance sin creates.

3. How can sinful people come near a holy God now? Through Christ. At His death the veil was torn, opening the way for believers to approach God boldly.

"...if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people…" — Exodus 19:5 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.