Kiln

This week we begin worship with:

Exodus 19:18-19

Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.

This was a terrifying sight.  The "smoke of a kiln" is not like that of a placid camp fire, it roars out of the chimney.

Regardless, at the sound of the trumpet God had instructed Moses to have the people come to the base of the mountain.  

Exodus 19:13

. . . When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”

This was not a man's trumpet summoning God, but rather God's angel summoning His people.  We are truly called into a terrifying relationship.  

Exodus 19:20
The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

When Moses responded to the call, God spoke.  We should as well.

1 Samuel 3:10

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”