Mountain Top High

Moses has quite a relationship with God. He was in His presence on a number of occasions, had conversations with Him and even questioned why God chose him.

Here are a few of the lines from this past week's readings which got my attention --
Thursday, "So now, go. I am sending you..." Exodus 3:10

Friday, "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself." Exodus 19:4

Saturday, "Whoever is for the LORD, come to me." Exodus 32:26

Today the verse which jumps off the page is: The LORD said to Moses, "Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones..., which you broke. Exodus 34:1

God followed these words with the instructions for Moses to, "come alone, to the top of the mountain." (Is this where the phrase, 'a mountain top experience', comes?) No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain. Don't you find this strange? I was praying about what God might have meant by giving these instructions.  Even the flocks may not graze in front of the mountain.

This was Holy Ground, and the fact that God had to provide the inscription on the tablets a second time is noteworthy. For this writer, I was reminded of God's forgiving way; of His unending patience and how much He wants to be in communion with us.

Do you think perhaps another reason for the solitude was so that Moses' attention was focused solely on God and there were no distractions around him? It is impossible to know the mind of God, but we can only pray that we stay in His good Grace and follow His Commandments. They are significant enough for God to do twice!

Exodus 34:1-8