Moses--Day 22

Tuesday, September 28

Moses: Called, Challenged, Changed

Day 22—Mountaintop Experience

When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain and on the seventh day the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. The Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty the nights. Ex. 24:15-18

Suggested reading: Exodus 20-31

Moses had come full circle, from Mt. Horeb to Egypt, from Egypt to across the Red Sea, to several stops along the way, to now, back at the mountain of God. But this time he is standing alongside of the delivered Israelite nation! Remember the burning bush? God said to Moses then, “When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Ex. 3:13). So here they are, ready to worship their God.

In a very broad statement, much of the remainder of Exodus is a holy conversation between God and Moses. However, he made other trips, once with Aaron and the elders, and then relayed information to the people.

On his personal forty day/night retreat on Mt. Horeb, Moses watched God carve the Ten Commandments onto two stone tablets with his divine finger (wow!). Imagine God in action, glory-ablazed, as you read these familiar, yet seemingly forgotten laws:

1.You shall have no other gods

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol

3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God

4. Remember the Sabbath day

5. Honor your father and your mother

6. You shall not murder

7. You shall not commit adultery

8. You shall not steal

9. You shall not give false testimony

10. You shall not covet

These guidelines were given to help the people learn how to love God and how to love their fellow man. On the mountain, God goes into explicit detail with Moses about how to live as distinct people, set apart as a holy nation.

Thoughts:

First of all, in order to encourage us in our own callings, I want to point out Moses’ transformation in his full circle experience with God. When he was on this mountain the first time, God met him in a burning bush, and he was afraid. Now we see Moses standing on this same mountain, yet now the mountain was glory-lit, and Moses had become a bold leader of a delivered people. He was called, challenged, and changed!

Secondly, if only the Israelites could obey! They certainly wanted to. They said to Moses, “We will do everything the Lord has said” (Ex. 19: 8).

Likewise, if only we could obey! We also certainly want to! But just like our ancestors long ago, we fail. We all need a Savior. The good news is, our Savior has come.

On this mountain, we see God’s unreachable holiness. But on the cross, we see God’s answer…Jesus, King of love. We must remember both of these interlocking truths: God is holy and God is love. He can’t not be holy, but he also can’t not be love.

Our only way to approach his holiness is to receive his love.

For God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:8-9

This means we will not be “zapped” for breaking one of the Ten Commandments. Jesus was willing and able to take our punishment. He paid the wages of our sin, which was death; and now, only because of this gracious act, His holy love lives within us. This news is so good that I will repeat it: His holy love lives within us! His holy love lives within us!

It is this Holy (loving) Spirit that helps us walk forward in our ongoing growth process.

Moses’ mountaintop experience moved us forward to Calvary; at the foot of the cross, you and I can begin a full circle life with the great I AM.

Going deeper and sweeter: Exodus 19:4-5; Psalm 51:1-2; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:5

Dear Lord,

Thank you for providing a way to receive your holy love. Now, help us to give it to others. Amen.