Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
The cross references for Hebrews 12:18 all relate to the idea of encountering God in a powerful and overwhelming way. In the Exodus passages, the people of Israel experience God's presence through thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud trumpet blast. In Deuteronomy, the people hear God's voice coming from the midst of a burning fire. All of these experiences point to the awesome power and majesty of God, which is what Hebrews 12:18 is describing.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Exodus 19:12-22: And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.” On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. | Both passages refer to God's holy mountain, Mount Sinai, and the divine presence there. Hebrews 12:18 is describing the awe and fear Moses and the Israelites experienced when God descended upon the mountain in a storm of fire, darkness, and tempest. Exodus 19:12-22 is describing the divine instructions Moses received from God to prepare the people for the divine presence, including setting boundaries and avoiding sexual immorality. |
| Exodus 20:18: Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off | Both passages refer to the same event: the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. In Hebrews 12:18, the writer is reminding the readers of the awe-inspiring scene that the Israelites witnessed when God descended on Mount Sinai. Exodus 20:18 provides a vivid description of the scene, with thunder, lightning, and smoke. The people were terrified and stood at a distance, which is why the writer of Hebrews uses this event to emphasize the magnitude of God's presence. |
| Exodus 24:17: Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. | Both passages refer to the presence of God being like a devouring fire. Hebrews 12:18 speaks of a blazing fire, darkness, gloom, and a tempest that the people of God have not come to. Exodus 24:17 describes the appearance of the glory of the Lord being like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. This is a reminder of the power of God and a warning to those who disobey Him. |
| Deuteronomy 4:11: And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. | Both passages describe a scene of awe and terror when God revealed Himself to the people of Israel. Hebrews 12:18 emphasizes the physical presence of God in this moment, with fire, darkness, gloom, and a tempest. Deuteronomy 4:11 emphasizes the spiritual presence of God, with the mountain burning with fire to the heart of heaven and being wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. Together, these passages emphasize the power and majesty of God when He reveals Himself to His people. |
| Deuteronomy 5:22-26: “These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and he added no more. And he wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. And as soon as you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes, and your elders. And you said, ‘Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live. Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? | Both passages refer to an experience of God's presence and power. Hebrews 12:18 speaks of a terrifying encounter with God, which is described in Deuteronomy 5:22–26. In this passage, the Israelites heard God's voice coming out of a fire on the mountain, and they were filled with fear, knowing that if they heard God's voice again, they would die. |
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your presence with us, even in times of darkness, gloom, and tempest. Your glory is seen in the thunder and lightning, the smoke and fire, and the sound of the trumpet. We thank You for Your protection and provision, and for Your faithfulness to Your promises.
Help us to remember the warnings You gave us and to stay away from the things that can lead us astray. Keep us in the light of Your love and grace, and give us the courage to stand firm in our faith.
We pray that You would continue to guide us and keep us safe, and that Your presence would be felt in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.