I found that this passage is really insightful into our hearts as people in general. God lays down some guidelines, telling us "this is whats best for you", and we still don't get it. The Lords presence is around and the peoples only reactions is to tell him not to get to close. The people of Israel constantly missed the mark, and now as heirs to that inheritance I find that we do too. When in interact with God and he pleads with us that he loves us and that he is jealous for our hearts we still sometimes turn and say I'm not so sure, I'm more comfortable with this thing over here. For me this passage looks like 10 rules, but instead it's a plea from God to the people of Israel.
The bottom line is we have idols in our lives constantly, these created things because their easy to control, and they seem safe. Trusting God with your life is scary and this process isn't easy. but the Lord is faithful and will show himself to be such as we give him the idol factory that is our heart. just like Abraham we have to tie it up and lay it on the alter. I kind of like that the last little bit God tells Moses that the alter needs to be dirt, simply soil. Because we are of the dirt, It's like saying i want your heart to be the way i made it, simple and pliable.
I also really like the line with Moses in verse 21: "The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was." I imagine thunder and darkness, Moses just walking into it, stepping out of sight to be where God was. I just really like this idea, to step into where God is, even if it's dark and no one follows. talk about taking a step out in the dark.
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