There Is a Place

Exodus 32 is one of the most shameful moments in the history of the people of Israel. After Yahweh God had brought them out of the land of Egypt, after he had appeared to them on Mt. Sinai and given them his commandments for holy living, and after he had parted the waters for the people to pass safely through they turned away from him while Moses was on the mountain, and they formed a god of the Egyptian gold they had taken with them. A god more like the ones Yahweh had shown to be inferior than reflecting anything of the glory, mercy, patience, and omnipotence Yahweh possessed.

In the very next chapter Moses makes a bold request. SHOW ME YOUR GLORY. This is what he asks of God. Maybe he thought he had earned it for all he had put up with in leading the people. Maybe he had his own doubts and wanted some sense of conformation. Maybe he just wanted to be closer to the God who had performed all these miracles in the presence of the people of Israel. The Scripture does not give us a reason for Moses making this request. It simply records the request.

It records God’s answer as well. NO ONE CAN SEE ME AND LIVE. The glory of the Lord is simply too awesome for finite humanity to endure. We simply fall, and maybe quite literally, fall apart in its presence.

What God says next is tremendous. THERE IS A PLACE NEAR ME WHERE YOU MAY STAND ON A ROCK. I am still exploring all that sentence may mean. Sure, it could be something as simple as identifying a specific spot of ground. But, somehow, I don’t think so. You see Moses’ request was prefaced by a concern about whether to move on from Mt. Sinai or not. His comments included telling God that it would be pointless for the people to leave this place and journey on towards the Promised Land if Yahweh would not journey with them. God assures Moses that his presence will indeed go with him and with the people of Israel. Then he does the most amazing thing ever. He grants Moses’ request.

God puts Moses on that symbol of stability and foundation and passes ALL  his glory in front of Moses only allowing Moses to actually see the most remote part, something like the sunset at the end of the bright and glorious day.

Have you been in turmoil? Has life itself almost beaten you down flat? Jesus Christ says, THERE IS A PLACE NEAR ME WHERE YOU MAY STAND ON A ROCK. There is a place where solid footing may be found, a place where the currents of shifting opinions cannot reach and erode. Christ calls you to come near to him. He will allow his glory to pass in front of you. You may only see the most remote parts. You may not comprehend all that you see, but though the sunset at the end of the day may not be as bright as the sun directly overhead at noon, those sunsets are among some of the most glorious and beautiful sights you will ever see. Come unto the Rock that is higher.

Pastor Craig