Hebrews 12:22,23 - You have come to Mount Zion

12:22

“But you have come to Mount Zion ...” Mount Zion is put in contrast to Mount Sinai. Mount SInai is where the Law was given, and in essence was the starting point. Mount Zion is what Jerusalem was built upon, and is in a sense the destination. The Law was not an aberration, definitely not a mistake, but was only ever intended to be a staging post. It was also realised that Jerusalem itself was not the final destination. Is 65:17 speaks of a new heavens and a new earth. So in speaking of the heavenly Jerusalem the writer is consistent with Jewish and Biblical thought. Christ and the gospel is what all of the Old Testament was leading up to. Jewish tradition had it that the Law was mediated by angels, and the scene at Sinai was most severe. In contrast Mount Zion is associated with myriads of angels in joyful assembly. Mount Sinai, the Law, was most severe, because its primary purpose was to highlight the sinfulness of man. The gospel deals with the problem of our sinfulness, the overcoming of sin. Hence the rejoicing.

12:23

Ex 4:22 refers to Israel as God’s firstborn, stressing the value of Israel to the Lord. We are the “church of the firstborn”. We are precious to the Lord, and as the firstborn receive the full inheritance. Our names are written in heaven. We could not be more precious to God, and our salvation in Christ could not be more secure. The Israelites at Sinai could not and did not want to approach God, fearing judgement. We have come to the judge of all, and are accepted by the judge of all. The Law made them outwardly clean, the Gospel makes us fully clean, hence the term “spirits of the righteous made perfect”.