Exodus 20:21
“The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was.”
What does Exodus 20:21 mean?
When God gave the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, the experience was overwhelming, with thunder, lightning, and fire covering the mountain. The people were terrified and asked Moses to speak to God on their behalf instead of hearing directly from him, so they kept their distance for safety and reverence. Moses, however, moved closer into the darkness where God's presence dwelt, showing that intimate relationship with God requires us to draw near even when we're uncertain or afraid. This captures something true about faith: while respect for God's holiness matters, so does the willingness to come closer to him rather than staying safely distant.