Exodus 20:18–26 “Do Not Obscure God”

Exodus 20:18-26 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Holy Spirit – Bryan & Katie Torwalt
• You’re Beautiful – Phil Wickham
• Set a Fire – Will Reagan & United Pursuit

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Don’t Worship Idols | The Second Commandment For Kids – Lesson for Kids
• I Will Worship lyric video (by Cool Worhsip Kids) – Song for Kids
• Nothing Is Impossible – Planetshakers – Song for Kids
• I’m Trusting You | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The passage from verse 18 onward appears to continue directly from Exodus 19:25. It’s as if the episode of God’s manifestation at Mount Sinai is being described, with the text of the Ten Commandments inserted in the middle of the narrative.

The people heard the “thunder and lightning and the sound of the trumpet” coming from Mount Sinai and saw the mountain covered in smoke (v.18). Seeing this, the people trembled with fear and pleaded with Moses to mediate for them (v.19). They feared that if they faced God directly, they would die. Earlier, in 19:9, God had said, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Moses now conveys the word of God to the people (v. 20). Afterward, Moses approaches the mountain, while the people stand at a distance (v. 21).

When God meets Moses on the mountain, He tells him that He has heard all the people said to him (v.22) and instructs him to prohibit them from making idols (v.23). If the people build an altar to offer sacrifices, they are to build it from earth; if they must use stones, they should use natural, uncut stones (vv.24–25). The instruction not to use a chisel on the rocks means not to be concerned with decorating or embellishing the altar. They are also not to build steps leading up to the altar (v.26). This is because the traditional garments worn by the Israelites at that time could reveal the lower body when ascending steps, which could resemble the sexually immoral practices of pagan rituals.

Meditation:

Let us pay close attention to God’s instruction that altars be made of earth or uncut stones. The command not to use a chisel on the rocks means not to beautify the altar. The desire to add steps to the altar also stems from a human longing to elevate or make something stand out. Building a tall altar with steps comes from the same kind of prideful ambition that led people to build the Tower of Babel.

Furthermore, steps would have caused the priests, wearing traditional garments, to expose themselves while ascending or descending, which could provoke improper thoughts or desires.

These instructions about the altar remind us of its essential purpose: the altar is meant to direct our focus toward God. Therefore, it should not be adorned in a way that draws human attention, and it must be free of anything that could stir unholy emotions. When offering sacrifices, we must do so with complete devotion and a holy heart, wholly centered on God.

I recall visiting a rural chapel during a trip to Mexico. Inside a makeshift tent sanctuary stood a simple altar made of rough red bricks. A few old wooden benches were placed in front of it. As I stood before that altar, I was reminded of the stone altar Jacob built. As I sat and prayed there, I felt as though God’s presence filled that humble space more deeply than the beautiful worship sanctuary I was used to back home. In a place that had nothing to catch the eye, God’s presence seemed all the more vivid.

This does not mean that beautifully constructed sanctuaries are meaningless. A well-prepared, sacred space that inspires awe and reverence can be precious. However, we must be careful not to let our gaze be captured by human-made beauty to the point that we forget God. An altar that is meant to lead us to behold God must never become something that blocks our view of Him.

Prayer:

Lord, keep our eyes from being captivated by things that are flashy and showy. Do not let our ears become too accustomed to sounds that merely please us. Guard our tongues from becoming addicted to what tastes good. Only then can we truly see You and hear Your voice.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God wants our worship to focus on Him, not on decorations, performances, or fancy things. True worship means listening to God, honoring Him with a humble heart, and removing anything that distracts us from clearly seeing His presence.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What do you think God looks like when He shows up in thunder and lightning?
  • Why do you think God told the people not to make the altar fancy?
  • If you were building a worship place for God, what would you include to help people focus on Him?
    
    
• For Youth
  • Can beautiful things (like music, lights, or decorations) sometimes distract us from worshiping God? How?
  • Why do you think God wants us to worship Him with natural, unshaped stones rather than crafted ones?
  • What are some ways you can make your worship more focused on God and less on external things (music style, speaker, emotions)?