Listen

But Moses called them closer. So Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and Moses spoke with them. After that, all the Israelites came near as well, and Moses commanded them everything that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

Exodus 34:31-33

Think

I used to teach English as a Second Language. My students spoke various languages including Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, and Swahili. Some were what we called “newcomers,” meaning they were recent refugees or immigrants and spoke little to no English.

They were in a new place, with new people, not knowing the language everyone around them was speaking. You can imagine how scary that might be and how important learning a new language would be. The first way “newcomers” begin learning a new language is by listening. Word by word, they start to pick up parts of the new language until they begin speaking, reading, and writing the new language.

In the Exodus story Moses is tasked with communicating a “new language” God has spoken. Moses starts by calling the people together and begins by speaking with them. He starts explaining the commandments God has given them. As scared as they are about Moses’ appearance, it is by listening to Moses’ story that they begin to learn God’s new language for them. Their invitation to faith comes by hearing.

Kyle Caudle

Question to Ponder:

How does God speak to us today?

Pray

God, in listening to you, I learn your ways.

One way I’ve heard you speak is…

Speak to me today that I may better understand to walk in the way of love. Amen.

Go

Wherever you go, God is still present.

Wherever you look, God’s light still shines.

Wherever you listen, God is still speaking there too,

Inviting you to change from the inside out,

Showing you that you are made to shine.