Year of the Bible: Part Three of Twelve Àpẹrẹ

The Shining Face of Moses.

God called His people to Himself and rescued them from their slavery in Egypt, and they saw it was by God's hand that they were delivered.

"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Genesis 19: 4-6)

God descended on the mountain and invited the people to meet with Him to make a covenant. But because the people were afraid, they rejected relating directly to God and instead said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die." Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin.' The people stood far off, while Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was." (Genesis 20:18b-21)

God called Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, plus seventy elders who saw the God of Israel. God allowed them to see Him! Even though they should have died, He didn't raise His hand against them, and they ate and drank in his presence (EX. 24:9-11). After these events, God prepared to write the commandments in stone and called Moses to meet with Him.

After the people saw God's wonders, experienced His presence on the mountain, and saw His glory, they rebelled and worshiped an image made to look like a god of Egypt. They violated the first command God had given them in covenant and completely forgot that they were worshiping the very thing from which God had delivered them.

God and Moses shared moments not initially intended for Moses alone but all the people of Israel. The Bible says that after Moses met with God, his face was radiant and would shine to the point that people were afraid to come near him, so he had to cover his face with a veil.

Questions: Do you desire to meet God and get close to Him, or do you prefer someone else to stand in proxy for you?

Prayer: Read this ancient prayer out loud. "Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, an understanding that knows You, wisdom in finding You, a way of life that is pleasing to You, perseverance that faithfully waits for You, and confidence that I shall embrace You at last. Amen! - Thomas Aquinas 1270 AD

Go Deeper: God wants to draw you close to Himself. Will you look at yourself and your shortcomings and watch from afar or draw near God in confidence because of Jesus? The invitation still stands today! You can have confidence in the love of God. Go ahead! Draw near! He is waiting! Will you draw close to God, knowing and believing He wants you as His treasured possession?