Wednesday, 29th July 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「我向埃及人所行的事，你們都看見了，且看見我如鷹將你們背在翅膀上，帶來歸我。如今你們若實在聽從我的話，遵守我的約，就要在萬民中作屬我的子民；因為全地都是我的。你們要歸我作祭司的國度，為聖潔的國民。」——出埃及記19:4–6
引言
出埃及記第19章，是整卷《出埃及記》一個非常重要的轉捩點。以色列人離開埃及已經三個月。他們經過紅海，走過曠野，經歷苦水變甜，也領受嗎哪、鵪鶉和磐石出水。當亞瑪力人攻擊他們時，神又使他們得勝。如今，他們來到西奈山，正是神曾經在燃燒的荊棘中向摩西顯現的地方。
神曾對摩西說：「你將百姓從埃及領出來之後，你們必在這山上事奉我。」——出埃及記3:12
從前，摩西獨自在這座山遇見神；如今，他帶着整個以色列民族來到這裏。神不只是要拯救摩西一個人，更要得着一群屬祂的百姓。然而，當神降臨在西奈山時，山上有雷轟、閃電、密雲、角聲和煙氣，整座山大大震動。神又吩咐摩西設立界限，百姓不可隨意闖過來。
這與伊甸園形成很大的對比。在伊甸園裏，神在人所居住的園中行走，人原本可以活在神的同在中；可是罪進入世界以後，亞當開始躲避神，人也被趕出伊甸園。到了西奈山，神仍然渴望親近祂的百姓，但有罪的人已經不能隨意靠近聖潔的神。
所以，西奈山的界限不是神拒絕人，而是神以恩典保護人。神的聖潔與神的恩典並不衝突：因為神是聖潔的，所以祂設立界限；因為神滿有恩典，所以祂預備潔淨和中保，使人仍然可以來到祂面前。
當我們仔細閱讀第19章，便會發現整章所展示的，其實是一條恩典之路。神先背負祂的百姓，把他們帶到自己面前；然後賜給他們新的身分和使命；最後，神教導他們如何以敬畏和聖潔活在祂面前。
恩典不是因為我們做得好，神才願意接納我們；恩典是神主動尋找、拯救和背負我們。但神的恩典也不會停留在拯救的一刻，祂要繼續改變我們，使我們知道自己屬於誰、為何而活，以及應當怎樣活在祂面前。
一、恩典把我們背負到神面前
經文：「我向埃及人所行的事，你們都看見了，且看見我如鷹將你們背在翅膀上，帶來歸我。」——出埃及記19:4
神沒有首先提醒以色列人為祂做過甚麼，而是提醒他們，祂已經為他們做了甚麼。神說：「我向埃及人所行的事，你們都看見了。」
是神降下十災，使法老釋放以色列人；是神藉着逾越節羔羊的血，保守他們免受死亡；是神分開紅海，為他們開出一條道路；也是神在曠野中供應、保護和引導他們。
以色列人能夠站在西奈山下，不是因為他們表現良好。事實上，他們曾經懼怕、埋怨、爭鬧，甚至懷疑神是否在他們中間。然而，神仍然沒有離棄他們。神說：「我如鷹將你們背在翅膀上。」
小鷹不是靠自己的力量飛到目的地，而是被母鷹背負。同樣，以色列人不是靠自己的能力離開埃及，也不是靠自己的智慧走過曠野；是神親自承擔他們，把他們一路帶到西奈山。
這讓我們看見，恩典之路的起點，不是人為神做了甚麼，而是神已經為人做了甚麼。更重要的是，神不是只說：「我把你們帶出埃及。」祂說：「我把你們帶來歸我。」
離開埃及只是救贖的開始，歸向神才是救贖的目的。神不只是要使他們離開法老的管轄，更要使他們進入與神立約的關係。
今天，我們也需要記得，我們能夠來到神面前、被神使用，不是因為自己比別人好，也不是因為我們做了多少事情，而是因為神主動以恩典尋找、拯救和背負我們。也許我們今天仍然疲乏，仍然有軟弱，甚至不知道前面的道路應該怎樣走；但那位把以色列人背在翅膀上的神，也仍然背負着我們。恩典不是要求我們靠自己的力量走到神面前，而是神親自把我們背負到祂面前。
二、恩典賜給我們新的身分與使命
經文：「如今你們若實在聽從我的話，遵守我的約，就要在萬民中作屬我的子民；因為全地都是我的。你們要歸我作祭司的國度，為聖潔的國民。」——出埃及記19:5–6
神把以色列人帶到自己面前以後，便向他們宣告新的身分。他們從前在埃及是法老的奴僕，現在卻要成為屬神的子民；從前他們的人生被埃及控制，現在卻要按照神的話生活；從前他們只知道為埃及人做苦工，現在卻要成為祭司的國度，承擔神所賜的使命。
神賜給他們三個重要身分。
第一，他們是「屬我的子民」。
這個詞帶有珍貴產業、特別珍藏的意思。全地都是神的，但神特別揀選以色列人，使他們在萬民中成為屬祂的百姓。這個身分不是他們靠行為賺回來的，而是神以恩典賜給他們的。可是，恩典所賜的身分也帶來順服的呼召，所以神說：「你們若實在聽從我的話，遵守我的約。」他們不是靠順服換取神的拯救，而是因為已經蒙神拯救，所以學習以順服回應神。
第二，他們是「祭司的國度」。
祭司不只是親近神，也把神的心意帶到人中間。神揀選以色列人，不是要他們關起門來，獨自享受神的祝福；神要藉着他們，使萬國看見耶和華的聖潔、公義、慈愛和信實。以色列人不是神恩典的終點，而是神恩典流向萬民的器皿。
第三，他們是「聖潔的國民」。
聖潔首先帶有「分別出來、歸神使用」的意思。以色列人雖然已經離開埃及，但埃及的思想、價值和奴僕心態仍然可能留在他們裏面。因此，神不只是要改變他們所在的地方，更要改變他們裏面的生命。分別為聖不是把自己與所有人隔絕，也不是認為自己比別人優越，而是在世界中生活，卻不再被世界的價值控制。如果以色列人與列國完全一樣，列國又怎能從他們身上看見神的不同？
今天，神也沒有把我們從世界中分別出來，叫我們閉門自守。祂要我們回到家庭、職場、教會和人群中，以不同的生命見證祂。
我們仍然接觸世界，卻不跟隨世界；我們仍然愛世上的人，卻不接受不合神心意的價值。我們的態度、說話、選擇和關係，都應該讓人看見我們屬於神。恩典不只是改變我們的處境，更賜給我們新的身分，使我們活出新的使命。
三、恩典以聖潔預備我們親近神
經文：「耶和華又對摩西說：『你往百姓那裏去，叫他們今天明天自潔，又叫他們洗衣服。到第三天要預備好了，因為第三天耶和華要在眾百姓眼前降臨在西奈山上。』」——出埃及記19:10–11
神願意降臨在百姓中間，但祂吩咐他們自潔、洗衣服、預備自己，也要在山的四圍設立界限。表面上，這些界限好像與恩典相反。既然神把他們「帶來歸我」，為甚麼又不准他們隨意上山？既然神願意親近他們，為甚麼又多次警告他們不可闖過界限？
原因不是神不愛他們，而是神是聖潔的。經文兩次說：「恐怕耶和華忽然出來擊殺他們。」原文帶有「免得耶和華向他們爆發出來」的意思。這不是說神突然失去控制，而是指出有罪的人無法承受神完全彰顯的聖潔。
神重複警告百姓，正顯明祂的恩典。祂知道百姓不能承受，因此預先設立界限保護他們。
界限不是為了推開他們，而是讓他們可以安全地站在神的同在中；自潔不是讓他們靠行為賺取神的接納，而是讓他們以敬畏預備自己；摩西作中保，也顯明有罪的人需要一位中保，才能來到聖潔的神面前。因此，神的恩典與神的聖潔從來不是彼此衝突的。恩典讓我們可以親近神，聖潔教導我們應當怎樣活在神面前。
今天，我們藉着耶穌基督可以坦然來到神面前，不再像以色列人一樣只能站在西奈山下。耶穌已經成為新約的中保，藉着祂在十字架上所流的血，為我們開了一條又新又活的路。但「坦然無懼」不等於「隨隨便便」。我們不需要活在恐懼中，卻仍然要以敬畏來到神面前。
真正的恩典不會使我們輕看罪，也不會使我們輕慢神。相反，當我們越明白自己是何等不配，卻仍然蒙神接納，我們便越珍惜神的同在，也越願意把生命分別出來歸給祂。神的聖潔不是恩典之路的攔阻，而是恩典在我們生命中所要建立的方向。
總結
出埃及記第19章展示了一條完整的恩典之路。
第一，恩典把我們背負到神面前。神如鷹背負以色列人，把他們從埃及帶出來，不是因為他們配得，而是出於神主動的拯救。
第二，恩典賜給我們新的身分與使命。神使他們成為屬神的子民、祭司的國度和聖潔的國民，使萬民能夠藉着他們認識神。
第三，恩典以聖潔預備我們親近神。神設立潔淨、界限和中保，不是要拒絕百姓，而是要保護他們，教導他們如何活在聖潔的神面前。
整條道路可以這樣總結：恩典先把我們背負出來，再把我們帶回神面前；恩典賜給我們新的身分和使命，也以聖潔塑造我們的生命。
神救我們，不只是要我們離開過去的埃及；祂要我們歸向祂、屬於祂、活出祂，並使別人透過我們認識祂。
省察
- 我是否仍然依靠自己的表現來換取神的接納，忘記是神的恩典一直背負着我？
- 我是否真正珍惜屬神子民的身分，在生活中分別為聖、聽從神的話？
- 我的生命是否讓身邊的人看見神，使神的恩典可以透過我流向別人？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢沒有按照我們的行為對待我們，反而以恩典拯救、承擔和背負我們，把我們帶來歸祢。求祢使我們珍惜屬神子民的身分，聽從祢的話，在世界中分別為聖。幫助我們以敬畏的心親近祢，也忠心承擔祭司的使命，使身邊的人能夠透過我們看見祢、接觸祢，並認識祢是真神。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Key Scripture:
“And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’” Exodus 19:3–6 NKJV
Introduction
Exodus 19 is an important turning point in the book of Exodus.
The Israelites had been out of Egypt for three months. They had crossed the Red Sea, walked through the wilderness, seen bitter water become sweet, and received manna, quail, and water from the rock. When the Amalekites attacked them, God also gave them victory.
Now they arrived at Mount Sinai. This was the same mountain where God had appeared to Moses in the burning bush.
God had said to Moses:
“When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Exodus 3:12 NKJV
Before this, Moses had met God alone on this mountain. Now he returned with the whole nation of Israel. God did not only want to rescue Moses. He wanted a people who belonged to Him.
However, when God came down upon Mount Sinai, there was thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, the loud sound of a trumpet, smoke, and a great shaking of the mountain. God also told Moses to set boundaries around the mountain. The people were not allowed to cross those boundaries.
This gives us a strong contrast with the Garden of Eden. In Eden, God walked in the garden where Adam and Eve lived. Humanity was created to live in God’s presence. But after sin entered the world, Adam hid from God, and humanity was driven out of the garden.
At Mount Sinai, God still desired to come near His people, but sinful people could not casually enter the presence of a holy God.
Therefore, the boundaries around Mount Sinai were not a sign that God rejected His people. They were part of His protection. God’s holiness and grace do not oppose each other. Because God is holy, He set boundaries. Because God is gracious, He prepared cleansing and a mediator so that His people could still come near Him.
Exodus 19 shows us a journey of grace.
God first carried His people and brought them to Himself. He then gave them a new identity and mission. Finally, He taught them how to live in His presence with holiness and reverence.
- Grace carries us into God’s presence
“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”
Exodus 19:4 NKJV
God did not begin by reminding the Israelites what they had done for Him. He reminded them what He had already done for them.
God sent the ten plagues and delivered them from Pharaoh. Through the blood of the Passover lamb, He protected them from death. He opened the Red Sea and made a way for them. He provided for them and protected them throughout the wilderness.
The Israelites did not arrive at Mount Sinai because they had behaved well. They had been afraid, complained, argued, and even questioned whether God was with them. Yet God did not leave them.
God said, “I bore you on eagles’ wings.”
A young eagle does not reach its destination by its own strength. It is carried. In the same way, Israel did not leave Egypt by its own strength or cross the wilderness by its own wisdom. God carried His people and brought them to Himself.
The journey of grace does not begin with what we do for God. It begins with what God has already done for us.
God did not only say, “I brought you out of Egypt.” He said, “I brought you to Myself.”
Leaving Egypt was only the beginning. Returning to God was the true purpose of their deliverance. God did not only want to free them from Pharaoh. He wanted them to belong to Him.
Today, we can come before God and serve Him, not because we are better than others, but because His grace has found, saved, and carried us.
We may still feel tired and weak. We may not know how to walk through the road ahead. But the God who carried Israel on eagles’ wings is still carrying us today.
Grace does not demand that we reach God by our own strength. Grace carries us into His presence.
- Grace gives us a new identity and mission
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Exodus 19:5–6 NKJV
After God brought Israel to Himself, He gave them a new identity.
In Egypt, they had been Pharaoh’s slaves. Now they would become God’s special people. Their lives had once been controlled by Egypt, but now they would learn to live according to God’s Word. They had once worked as slaves, but now they would become a kingdom of priests with a mission from God.
First, they were God’s special treasure.
All the earth belongs to God, but He chose Israel to be His treasured people. They did not earn this identity by their good behaviour. It was given to them by grace.
However, the identity given by grace also called them to obey. God said, “If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant.”
They were not obeying God in order to earn deliverance. They obeyed because God had already delivered them. Obedience was their response to grace.
Second, they were a kingdom of priests.
A priest comes near to God and also carries God’s heart to the people. God did not choose Israel so that they could close their doors and enjoy His blessings alone. He wanted the nations to see His holiness, justice, love, and faithfulness through them.
Israel was not the final destination of God’s grace. They were called to become a channel of His grace to the nations.
Third, they were a holy nation.
To be holy means to be set apart for God. Israel had left Egypt, but the values, thinking, and slave mentality of Egypt could still remain within them. God did not only want to change their location. He wanted to transform their lives.
Being set apart does not mean that we cut ourselves off from everyone. It means that we live in the world without being controlled by the values of the world.
If Israel lived exactly like the surrounding nations, how could those nations see that their God was different?
In the same way, God has not called us to hide from the world. He sends us into our families, workplaces, churches, and communities to reveal His life.
We still meet and love people, but we do not follow the values of the world. Our words, attitudes, choices, and relationships should show that we belong to God.
Grace does not only change our situation. It gives us a new identity and a new mission.
- Grace prepares us to come near a holy God
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.’”
Exodus 19:10–11 NKJV
God desired to come down among His people, but He told them to consecrate themselves, wash their clothes, prepare their hearts, and respect the boundaries around the mountain.
At first, these boundaries may seem to be the opposite of grace. If God had brought them to Himself, why were they not allowed to go freely up the mountain? If God wanted to come near them, why did He warn them not to cross the boundary?
The reason was not that God did not love them. It was because God is holy.
The passage repeatedly warns that the LORD might “break out against them.” The original meaning carries the picture of a powerful force breaking out. This does not mean that God suddenly lost control. It means that sinful people could not survive the full power of God’s holy presence.
God repeatedly warned them because He was gracious. He knew they could not bear His holiness, so He set boundaries to protect them.
The boundaries were not there to push them away. They allowed the people to stand safely in God’s presence. Cleansing was not a way to earn God’s acceptance. It prepared them to meet Him with reverence. Moses also stood between God and the people as a mediator.
Today, we can come boldly into God’s presence through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant. Through His blood on the cross, He has opened a new and living way for us to come near to God.
But coming boldly does not mean coming carelessly. We do not need to live in fear, but we should still come before God with reverence.
True grace never causes us to take sin lightly or treat God casually. The more we understand how undeserving we are, and how fully God has accepted us, the more we treasure His presence and desire to set our lives apart for Him.
God’s holiness is not a barrier on the journey of grace. It is the direction in which His grace is leading us.
Conclusion
Exodus 19 shows us a complete journey of grace.
First, grace carries us into God’s presence. God carried Israel on eagles’ wings. He delivered them, not because they deserved it, but because He chose to show them grace.
Second, grace gives us a new identity and mission. God made them His special treasure, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation so that the nations could know Him through their lives.
Third, grace prepares us to come near a holy God. God gave them cleansing, boundaries, and a mediator—not to reject them, but to protect them and teach them how to live in His presence.
Grace carries us out of bondage and brings us back to God. Grace gives us a new identity and mission, and holiness becomes the direction of our new life.
God did not save us only to bring us out of our old Egypt. He saved us so that we could belong to Him, live for Him, and help others know Him through our lives.
Reflection
- Am I still trying to earn God’s acceptance through my performance, forgetting that His grace has been carrying me?
- Do I treasure my identity as a person who belongs to God and live a life that is set apart for Him?
- Can people around me see God’s grace, holiness, and love through my life?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for not treating us according to our actions. By Your grace, You have saved us, carried us, and brought us to Yourself. Help us treasure our identity as Your people, obey Your voice, and live holy lives in this world. Teach us to come near You with both confidence and reverence. May our families, friends, and communities see Your grace and love through us and come to know that You are the true God. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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