This chapter (Ex. 24) holds contemplative eye and ethical ear in tension. On one hand, the passage holds up the faithful disciplines of contemplation, awed silence, and reverent gazing upon God. On the other hand, the experience holds Israel to a covenantal relationship to God alone. In such luminous moments there is a tension between relationship and allegiance, between faith and works and revelation and requirement.

• “If anyone desires to behold the image of God, they must love God so as to be loved by him, no longer as a servant but as a friend who observes his commandments, they may enter the cloud where God is” (Ambrose of Milan).

• “Moses entered the cloud” (vs. 18) - what an awe-filled statement! He goes where no one has ever gone before. He leaves the zone of humanness and enters the realm of God-and for a very long time! Israel will be shaped by this encounter-obedience to the Law to ensure God’s presence with them in the future and the promise that God truly wants to “tabernacle” among humanity.

 

Story-after four years of confinement, hostages who had been freed from prison in Lebanon were given a bowl of red cherries, first fruits of their freedom-and the first color they had seen in four years. Though they were eager to taste the fruit, they waited a day, simply to gaze on the cherries in wonder and gratitude. This may hint at what the priests and leaders did at Sinai: they gazed before they ate.

• Interesting twist: Maybe the phrase, “No one can see God and live,” really means, “No one can see God and remain unchanged” (Martin Smith).

• Recall 1 John 3:2-3: “ . . . what we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” The power of God’s appearing changes those who see. They become more like God. But seeing God is transformative - it leads to more dangerous obedience.

 

Explore luminous moments that step beyond the boundaries of mundane living. Draw from your own story, from others, even the cinema or plays. Recall a recent movie-ET or Lord of the Rings or even an episode out of Close Encounters. Place what you/others have experienced personally or vicariously with the biblical passage.

• Move to the luminous event of Exodus 24. This is an opportunity to share some of what you have discovered in the passage.

• Why? What is the purpose of such extraordinary moments? You might move in the direction that several scriptures move-cf. 1 John 3:2-3 above, that such experiences with God transform us in the moment, but also moves us to deeper obedience.