"His Greatest Role Yet"
Feb. 18, 2020
The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the Law and the Commandment, which I have written for their instruction." So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. And he said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them." Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights.
It's hard to imagine what this experience would have been like for Moses. All through the book of Exodus, it's plain to see how God had His hand in the events in Moses' life. His narrow escape as an infant from the murderous intent of an anxious king and then again when he was being hunted for having killed an Egyptian, God was priming him for a major role in the history of the children of Israel.
By the time he was ascending Mount Sinai, Moses had already led a remarkably full life. After taking refuge in Midian and encountering God in a burning bush there, he returned to Egypt. There he met with Pharaoh and declared on God's behalf: "Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness" (Exodus 5:1b). But Pharaoh wouldn't hear of it, and fierce plagues sent by God were soon let loose.
Even before arriving at Mount Sinai, Moses was integral to God's unfolding plan of redemption. He witnessed the first Passover, Israel's exodus east from Pharaoh's army, and the destruction of Egyptians in hot pursuit at the Red Sea. But it was at Mount Sinai where Moses must have felt he experienced God's greatest intervention: the giving of the Ten Commandments. These, now, inscribed on stone, were words to live by—words to guide God's people on their way to the Promised Land.
And immediately—in no uncertain terms—the Commandments prompted the people's response to the God who saved them. We, like them, are sinners: lost, and broken beyond repair. Here then, in this moment of grand disclosure, is Moses in his greatest role yet: the law-giver who points to Jesus: the Life-Giver.
We don't stand a chance keeping God's Law. It condemns our sin utterly. But Jesus, God's only Son, took the Law's full penalty for our sins. He fulfilled the Law, and through faith in Him as Savior gives us His victory.
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him (Colossians 2:13-15).
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, though we sin, there is forgiveness in Jesus. May we receive Him in faith. In His Name. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- What do you think Moses was doing on Mount Sinai for 40 days? Do you think there are things the Bible has left out from this event in Moses' life?
- When the Bible says, "The LORD said to Moses," how do you think that occurred: an audible voice, some unmistakable sign, something else?
- Do you know anyone today whose faith seems larger than life?
This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What do you think Moses was doing on Mount Sinai for 40 days? Do you think there are things the Bible has left out from this event in Moses' life?
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