In Plain View
Exodus 24:15 – Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 – The glory of the LORD resided on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day he called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 – Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in plain view of the people. 18 – Moses went into the cloud when he went up the mountain, and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
The glory of the Lord was in plan view of the people. All they had to do was look up and see that the Lord was with them. They heard the voice of God. They overheard God speaking with Moses. The glory of God was so intense that they were terrified of God addressing them directly. In light of all this, the elders were invited to enjoy communion with God beyond the boundaries and not be consumed for they were covered with the blood of the covenant. The benefits of the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross were credited to them and they were safe from the wrath of God against sin.
All these amazing things were happening around the people in addition to the manna, the quail, and the water. God had satisfied every need, silenced every complaint, and demonstrated his glory through a devouring fire. A fire that set the top of the mountain ablaze but it was not being consumed – much like Moses at the burning bush only on a much grander scale.
We may not see the glory of God on display like this but the evidence for God is still in plain view for us to see if we will look for it. The glory of God is in His creation: the changing of the seaons, the harvest, the snow, the animals, the people. The glory of God is in plain view when we allow Him to work upon our hearts and we become longsuffering towards each other and towards difficult challenges that come our way. The glory of God is in plain view when we allow Him to reveal to us the fulfillment of prophecies telling us His return is very soon. So much is in plain view if we will look with eyes faithful to Him in the midst of what seems like delay.
We will soon see how the Israelites handled a forty day and night delay with God’s power in plain view. The question is: how will we handle an apparent, undefined delay in the coming of Jesus with the evidence of His presence in plain view? Will we stay faithful or will we succumb to the many temptations to worship other gods? Let’s not lose sight of Jesus. Let’s keep Him in plain view and keep reaching out to Him in prayer and praise and we will always find Him available to us! This is His promise in Jeremiah 29:12 and 13: “When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. when you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul,…”
Where two are gathered 