Mount Sinai (as the Place where God comes down to meet man) is a dominant feature of the Pentateuch, the Bible’s first five Books. All written by Moses, we believe.
Beginning at Exodus 19:1, we see the importance of that Place. “In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the MOUNT. And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the MOUNTAIN, saying …” (Only the first three verses of the chapter.)
Then continuing for the rest of the Book of Leviticus, THROUGHOUT ALL THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS, and up through Numbers 10:11. “And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.” (Verses 11 and 12, leaving Sinai, the Mount of God.)
That’s a lot of Bible, 68 chapters!
Did you see that, ALL OF LEVITICUS?
Where God instructs His people about HOW to fellowship with Him. HOW to maintain right relationship. HOW to enjoy the Divine Presence!
Now … let me show you something I learned earlier today, or at least saw it in “new light.”
The first time Moses ascended that Mount (Sinai, God’s Abode) … “And the glory of the LORD abode upon MOUNT Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.” Exodus 24:16
Six days God is there, visibly present!
Then on the seventh day … Moses is summoned for some time of fellowship and learning and delightful (life-changing) communion!
A “picture” (reenactment) of creation week!
God preparing for six days!
Then on the seventh day (sabbath day) Moses is summoned to come up!
As Adam had been created to fellowship with God (except that Adam sinned and was expelled from the Presence of the Almighty!)
Moses, a new Adam!
But keep in mind, Jesus is the LAST ADAM! (1 Corinthians 15:45)
Furthermore Exodus 24:17-18 tells us of Moses, when he arrived … “And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the MOUNT in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the MOUNT: and Moses was in the MOUNT forty days and forty nights.” Amazing!
God’s overarching Goal then (the Bible, from Cover to Cover) … is loving His creation, his people, humanity! And living in harmony with them! Genesis 1:26 … “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”
And Genesis 3:8 has God “walking in the garden in the cool of the day!” The verse labels that Condition as “the Presence of the Lord,” too!
Is this not sweet Holy Conversation?
What a great God we serve!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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