Israel feared to hear God’s voice because the display of His power at Mount Sinai overwhelmed them with awe and terror. When the Lord descended in fire, smoke, thunder, lightning, and the sound of the trumpet, the people realized the greatness of His holiness and the seriousness of His law.
Exodus 20:18–19 says:
“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’”
The people’s fear came from an understanding that sinful man cannot stand before a holy God and live. God’s voice revealed His majesty and authority in a way that exposed their unworthiness. This fear was not irrational, it was an appropriate response to the reality of God’s holiness.
Deuteronomy 5:24–25 reflects their reaction:
“Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire… Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die.”
Their request for Moses to mediate illustrates humanity’s need for a mediator between God and man. This foreshadows Christ, the perfect Mediator, who enables us to approach God without fear (1 Timothy 2:5).
Israel’s fear reminds us that God’s holiness is awesome and that access to Him requires atonement. It teaches that true reverence leads us to humility and dependence on the one who bridges the gap, Jesus Christ.
