Sinai vs. Zion
In Hebrews 12, there is a contrast of two mountains where people go to God. In verses 18-21, the scene is Sinai, which refers back to the Exodus moment where God came down to Mount Sinai. The people were warned to stay away from the mountain, to not go near it, to not touch it. The top of the mountain was covered in fire and smoke, like smoke from a furnace. There was thunder and lightning. There was a long, continuous trumpet blast. The people were terrified of the scene, such that in verse 21, Hebrews quotes Moses as saying “I am trembling with fear.”
This mountain is contrasted with mount Zion in verses 22-24. This mountain has the heavenly city. This mountain has a huge number of angels, and they are in a joyful assembly. The church is there, and their names are written in heaven. This is a much more welcoming mountain than Sinai.
The parable of the prodigal son can be used to view and compare and contrast these two mountains. The parable is found in Luke 15:11-32. In the parable, a man has two sons. The younger son demands his inheritance from the father, and then leaves to enjoy his new fortune. He runs into obvious trouble when he has spent up all his money and has to figure out what he’s going to do. He decides he’ll go back to his father, but he anticipates a Sinai-type experience. His approach to the father is like that of Israel to Sinai – fear and awe. He’s given up being a son anymore, and is hoping that maybe the father has enough mercy in him to accept the son back as a servant. He doesn’t think he can be a family member again (and truthfully, he wasn’t much of a family member to begin with, as he seemed more interested in the things the father could give him, than in being in relationship with his father). The son knows he has done wrong, and anticipates rebuke and retribution for it. He delayed his return, probably out of fear of his father. His earlier option was that of feeding pigs. The only reason he is turning to his father is his survival. He does not think he will be welcomed back, and is anticipating harsh treatment.
However, when he does get back, he receives the Zion treatment, not the Sinai treatment he anticipated. His father rushes to greet him. The son tries to tell his father how the son is not worthy to be his son, but his father cuts him off. He is welcomed with open arms. He is brought back into the family. In Luke 15:24 the father announces “this son of mine was dead and is alive again.” See what he calls the young man? His son. The father welcomes the lost son home and celebrates.
Today, through Jesus, this too is how we can approach God. We can approach him in a Zion moment, not a Sinai moment. We are welcomed, we are loved, we are drawn into relationship with God. We approach God with fear and trepidation, we consider our sins and/or our worthiness, we anticipate a Sinai moment. But God welcomes us with arms open, he loves us, and makes us his children.
When we come to God, as the lost son did, confessing our sin, we don’t need to do so anticipating a Sinai moment. Instead, God welcomes us, he sets us on our feet, he celebrates and feasts with us, he cleans us and clothes us. He is joyful that his children have returned. And as we are always invited to the Father, we don’t need to shirk from God, or to cower in fear. Through the redeeming work of Christ and the sanctifying work of the Spirit, we can approach the Father in confidence. We are restored into the family of God’s people. We too can join in with the numerous angels in joyful assembly, and be among our God.
-Mike Hendricks