Exodus 24 & 25 -- Law Equals Distance, Grace Equals Nearness

Moses and 73 other leaders were called by God to come partway up the mountain to worship God from a distance.  The distance speaks of our sin that separates us from God.  After reaching the designated spot, only Moses was to continue to the place where God would reveal Himself to him.  The others could not follow.  God did, however reveal Himself to all of them and the narrative describes a physical manifestation and not just a vision or dream.

Moses and Joshua then climbed further, with perhaps Joshua staying back at some point.  For six days Moses waited patiently for God to call out to him.  Nothing happened for almost a week, but Moses waited on God.

On the seventh day, the Lord called to Moses from the cloud, and Moses entered it, moving higher up the mountain.  He remained there for 40 days and nights.

My commentary said that 40 was the number of testing or probation.  It wasn’t Moses who was tested, but the people of Israel at the foot of the mountain.  God was going to show them how helpless they were to keep His agreement, though they’d readily agreed three times already that they would.

My commentary mentioned that the Law says, “They shall not come near,” while grace says, “Let us draw near.”  Even back then, God was being gracious by allowing them to draw near, as He does us.  What an unspeakable privilege. 

Father, thank You for providing grace to us.  The Law only points out our sinfulness.  Grace reveals Your love for us in spite of our sin.  Yes, I am a sinner who has no right to come before You.  But through Christ, You’ve adopted me as Your own, allowing me to draw near to You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford