Listen

Then Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The Lord’s glorious presence settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from the cloud. To the Israelites, the Lord’s glorious presence looked like a blazing fire on top of the mountain. Moses entered the cloud and went up the mountain. Moses stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 24:15-18

Think

God had called Moses to come up to Mount Sinai for a specific purpose: to receive the law so the people could know how to live. But entering into the immediate presence of the Holy One was not an easy journey, and receiving the word of the Lord could not be taken lightly. For six days, the Lord covered the mountain with a cloud of glory; perhaps God was making preparations, or perhaps God was giving Moses time to prepare himself for the divine meeting. Only on the seventh day did God finally invite Moses in.

Then, all of Israel could see the glory of God on the mountaintop. As they watched that terrifying sight, the “devouring fire,” from a distance, they waited while the leader of Israel stepped inside. For forty days they waited to find out if the man they had followed to freedom would return to them, to continue to lead them in God’s way. Moses and the people trusted the holy cloud and the holy flame not to consume, but to guide, to teach, and to provide.

Nikki Finkelstein-Blair

Pray

God, it can be scary to sense you calling me into your presence. Prepare me to enter your glory, then give me courage to receive the teachings you offer me. I praise you, for you are trustworthy to welcome me in and to show me the way to go forward. Amen.

Go

May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks, and boring grays of your every day.

May God’s continuing presence shine through you, bringing joy, comfort, and calm.

Through you, may others be inspired to praise God!