Clear Communication

Scripture: Exodus 9:12

"You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

Commentary:
God set an example for us on how we should conduct ourselves in establishing relationships from the very beginning. He gave Moses specific instructions on what to tell the people, in regard to them approaching Him. The time had come for the people to consecrate themselves to God for a period of two days. On the third day, God would come into the midst of the people. However, God specifically told Moses what to tell the people.

The people in whom God delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh, would now be consecrated to God by devoting themselves to Him for a period of two days, and washing their garments. God also told Moses to set boundaries around Mount Sinai, so that the people would not go upon the mountain, or touch it. If anyone tried to go upon the mountain, or if anyone touched the mountain, they would die.

God set boundaries at the very beginning of His relationship with the children of Israel. They were to be set apart by consecrating themselves to Him, and they could not go to Him any kind of way. He put in place what He would, and would not accept from them. If they were obedient to the boundary that God had put in place they would flourish, but if they were not, they would die. There was no miscommunication on God's part. He made it perfectly clear from the beginning.

Reflection:
God has shown us how our relationships should be through His implementation of boundaries at Mount Sinai. We should communicate with eachother to the best of our ability; especially at the beginning of a friendship, and/or relationship with someone. Each person should have a clear understanding of one another's purpose, desires, and requests. Additionally, it should be made clear what one will, and will not accept in the relationship. Therefore, the chance of misunderstandings springing up, will be greatly diminished, if not obsolete.

When boundaries are crossed in a relationship, it shows a lack of respect for the one who has set their own personal boundaries; which will cause the relationship to diminish over time. If the relationship is not restored with respect for the boundaries of either party, the relationship will end. Respecting one another as children of God continually, will help us to build stronger relationships; that do not cross boundary lines, that have been established by God.

you shall set bounds: 1379
1) to bound, border

a) (Qal) to bound, border
b) (Hiphil) to set bounds, set bounds for

for the people: 5971
1) nation, people

a) people, nation
b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
2) kinsman, kindred

all around: 5439
subst

1) places round about, circuit, round about
adv
2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about
prep
3) in the circuit, from every side

that you do not go: 5927
1) to go up, ascend, climb

a) (Qal)
1) to go up, ascend
2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat
3) to go up, come up (of animals)
4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation)
5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon)
6) to come up (before God)
7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary)
8) to excel, be superior to
b) (Niphal)
1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away
2) to take oneself away
3) to be exalted
c) (Hiphil)
1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up
2) to bring up, bring against, take away
3) to bring up, draw up, train
4) to cause to ascend
5) to rouse, stir up (mentally)
6) to offer, bring up (of gifts)
7) to exalt
8) to cause to ascend, offer
d) (Hophal)
1) to be carried away, be led up
2) to be taken up into, be inserted in
3) to be offered
e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

up on the mountain: 2022
1) hill, mountain, hill country, mount
 
or touch: 5060
1) to touch, reach, strike

a) (Qal)
1) to touch
2) to strike
3) to reach, extend to
4) to be stricken
a) stricken (participle)
b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated
c) (Piel) to strike
d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease)
e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive
1) to cause to touch, apply
2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come
3) to approach (of time)
4) to befall (of fate)

the border: 7097
1) end, extremity

a) end, mouth, extremity
b) border, outskirts
c) the whole (condensed term for what is included within extremities)
d) at the end of (a certain time)

of if, whoever: 3605
1) all, the whole
a) all, the whole of
b) any, each, every, anything
c) totality, everything

shall surely be put to death: 4191
1) to die, kill, have one executed

a) (Qal)
1) to die
2) to die (as penalty), be put to death
3) to die, perish (of a nation)
4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)
b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch
c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death
d) (Hophal)
1) to be killed, be put to death
a) to die prematurely

References: Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Exodus 19 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 28 Jan 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=19&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2010). Clear Communications, (RP). Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com