“When the Mountain Spoke”
An original poem inspired by Exodus 20

The mountain shook with holy fire,
thunder rolled like a living breath,
and heaven bent low to speak
to hearts made of dust and longing.
From the cloud came words like pillars,
ten truths carved in eternal light —
not chains, but pathways,
not burdens, but blessings,
not rules, but invitations
to walk in the freedom of God.
“Put Me first,” the Voice declared,
Let no idol steal your gaze.
Honor My name, honor My rest,
honor the ones who gave you life.
Guard your hands, your heart, your home.
Speak truth.
Walk clean. Desire nothing that belongs to another.”
The people trembled at the sound,
standing far off, afraid to draw near —
but Moses stepped forward,
his courage lit by the God who called him.
And when the thunder quieted,
God spoke again in gentler tones:
“Build Me an altar of earth,
uncut, unpolished, unadorned.
Where My name is honored,
I will come to you
and bless you.”
So, the mountain stood still,
the smoke lifted,
and the people carried home
the echo of a God
who speaks with power
and invites with tenderness.
© Susan Ruth Robertson 92561/1042026