Exodus 24:12-25:40 / Psalm 45

Read Exodus 24:12-25:40 / Psalm 45

Verse chosen for meditation: Exodus 24:12

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."

Reflect

In this 24th chapter of Exodus, Moses is told once again to go up the mountain. The mountain in question is Mt Sinai, referenced every so often in four of the first 5 books of the bible (Pentateuch). It might, therefore, be asked, "What's so special about the mountain?"

Here in this chapter, Moses received yet another invitation to meet with God. One might even exclaim, "Oh, what a privilege!" But have we ever wondered what it is like to meet with God? 

In any case, where is this 'mountain' today? And in this present time, is personal invitation from God still necessary? Do we really need to be invited to 'come up the mountain'?

Relate

We speak of a mountaintop experience nowadays whenever we refer to an experience, which is totally uplifting and spiritually invigorating, a feeling we hope would never end until we say it's over.

Henri Nouwen described it this way: At some moments we experience complete unity within us and around us. This may happen when we stand on a mountaintop and are captivated by the view. It may happen when we have an intimate conversation or a family meal. It may happen in church during a service or in a quiet room during prayer. But whenever and however it happens we say to ourselves: "This is it...everything fits...all I ever hoped for is here."

There's a sublime aura that surrounds a mountaintop experience, much like the cloud covering it and the thin air around it. The attainment of such experience aside, there's also the much sought - after affirmation of identity, purpose and promise.

To which, Martin Luther King Jr had this to say: I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up the mountain. And I've looked over and I've seen the Promised Land.

A few notable biblical characters like him have included such great names as Abraham (Genesis 22:1-14), Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-18), Christ (Luke 9:28-36), not forgetting Moses. They all received an affirmation from God while on the mountain.

Scripture has, therefore, given us literal mountaintop experiences from the likes and accounts of Abraham and Isaac who together in an act of obedience experienced a twist of events on the mountain top as a result of God's faithfulness, to the transcendental account of Christ's transfiguration on the very mountain itself. And now in this chapter, we see again Moses climbing up Mt Sinai to commune with God so as to better understand not just the essential laws for their community life, but what their covenant life together will be like in the Promised Land.

Meeting with God is no doubt a privilege of the chosen. It's high honour, but terrifying at the same time, what with the accompanying lightning and thunder, and death not a far - off likelihood. But it could be nothing more than a gentle whisper as well. Whatever it is, the presence of God has it in itself to render just about everyone speechless, even redundant from feeling abysmally inferior in the presence of an awesome God. But when his mercy is extended, the whole setting changes suddenly, the tendency then is to become wholly absorbed by what's going on, oblivious to the passage of time. How different then is the experience these days?

Until this day, the actual location of Mt Sinai is still a topic for debate. Several sites have been proposed, but no one site has been confirmed by archaeology as the place where God met with Moses although it is widely thought to be on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, between the Red and Mediterranean Seas. If that's the case, it rises 2,285 m (7,497 ft) above sea level.

But what's more important is that you and I find our own 'Mt Sinai', a conducive, regular spot where we could meet with God. The thing that has worked for me is a corner of my bed or a spot on the bedroom floor looking out a full length window. Many have been the travails and pleasures of prayer I have experienced on this 'Sinai' of mine. And they could be yours as well.

So, what about the invitation to meet with God? Are we still waiting for that elusive invite? Don't we think there're already enough invitations in the bible, from 1 Chronicles 16:11 to Psalm 145:18, Jeremiah 33:3 to Philippians 4:6, and from Colossians 4:2 to 1 Thessalonians 5:17, bidding us 'come up the mountain'?

Moreover, when we do meet with God, are we still rushing through our time with him? Are we as impatient as ever in our wait for him? Do we, perhaps, also leave his presence the moment we're done instead of tarrying a while longer?

When deciding on a name for our church prayer meetings, I've used the following names in chronological order: 'Epaphras', 'Engaging with God' and 'Encountering with God'. Of the three, 'Epaphras' strikes a chord with me the most. It was named after a fellow servant of Christ who was briefly mentioned by Paul in Colossians 4:12. It gives the most apt vibe for a prayer meeting I feel, not that 'Engaging' or 'Encountering' is any less of a word to describe the intention of a prayer meeting. But because 'Epaphras' speaks of an individual who is both engaging and encountering God as he wrestles in prayer. For nothing speaks louder than an example. My mum, on the other hand, finds much encouragement and inspiration from Psalm 25:14 where it says 'God confides in those who fear him, and reveals his covenant to them. Would this give us a shimmer of a glimpse of what meeting with God is like in our present day?

And if after all this, we still think that we've been missed out, here's the invite: "Come to me on the mountain and wait there."

Rest

Lord, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. You say 'come to me for I am near to all who call on me.' You say 'call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things.' As you bid me come, I will come and wait on you. I will yet wait for you. I will gladly wait with you. For you are my hiding place.

Naville Chia