Exodus 24:15-18 (The Voice)
15-16 Moses made his way up the mountain. A thick cloud blanketed the mountain because the Eternal’s glory had settled upon it [God’s manifest presence]. The cloud stayed there for six days; and when the seventh day arrived, the Eternal spoke to Moses from the cloud.
17 For the Israelites below, the Eternal’s glory appeared to be a consuming fire on the top of the mountain. 18 As Moses walked further toward the top, he was swallowed by the cloud of God’s glory, and he remained there for a total of 40 days and 40 nights.
Our passage today reminds me that human beings are unsettled by God’s power and glory (manifest presence). Without the redeeming work of the Lord, our minds cannot handle the glory of God. When God displays his majesty and glory, fear is the first human response we read about in Scripture.
The six days the glory cloud settled on the mountain reminds me of the six days of creation; six days of the week in which God dwells with us and protects us. On the seventh day, God speaks to Moses and this reminds me of the glory that is revealed in our worship as the Word of God is sung and spoken. Moses is being prepared by God; he is called to display the glory of God to His people. When you and I express God’s goodness and virtue in the way we treat one another in Christ, we display the Father’s glory covering us. The glory of God was actualized in the birth of Christ, but did you know that one day God’s glory is going to fill the earth? (Number 14:21)
Prayer: Lord, I pray your glory will be displayed in my life as I surrender to your authority and power. May I express your virtue and goodness with how I treat people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.