In Exodus 24, we learn about a group of people who saw God. They saw a special form of God that let them behold him with their eyes. We don’t know much more, but it was amazing for those people.
Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up,
And they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.
God did not lay his hand on the chief men of the Israelites; they beheld God, and they ate and drank (Exodus 24.9-11).
When you eat next, think about asking God to join you. If you’re alone, you can talk with him like the people of Moses’ day who shared a meal with him. What wonderful gifts God has given his children!
God’s Invitation
God wants us to be close to him. He invites us into a personal relationship, so we can follow his leadership and live the best life possible.
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there; I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.”
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.
The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the Israelites.
Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24.12, 16-18).
God invited Moses to come to the mountain and wait. Sometimes, we must wait for the Lord too.
If we wait, we’ll be rewarded with His presence. We shouldn’t rush or try to control God. He is God and we are not.
When God settled on the mountain, the word “shekinah” described his presence. The same word is used to describe the presence of Jesus in the Gospel of John.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s
only son, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Think About It
How can we best incorporate the experience of the ancient Israelites into our modern-day lives? Please take a few minutes to consider these suggestions.
(1) Set aside dedicated time for quiet reflection and waiting on God, similar to Moses’ experience on the mountain.
Find a place where you can be alone with God and your thoughts. Use this time to meditate on God’s invitation to be close and to seek his presence.
Avoid rushing the process, and allow yourself to be receptive to God’s presence and guidance.
(2) There is great value in unhurried time alone with God. Try planning a personal retreat where you are alone with God.
Spend time in solitude and use this time to deepen your relationship with God, meditate on his word, and reflect on his invitation to draw near.
Disconnect from distractions and immerse yourself in spiritual contemplation.
(3) Recognize that God’s timing is different from ours, and sometimes waiting on him is part of the journey.
Surrender your desire for control and allow His presence to guide your steps.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny and I have recorded a YouTube video on this Bible passage. It can be found on the Bob Spradling channel today.
Real Voices 