Today I’m reflecting on Moses’ encounter with God on the mountain. It’s an encounter happens in the context of an already deepening and flourishing relationship. The writer tells us that Moses and God speak face-to-face, as one friend to another. Yet, Moses wants more, desiring to draw even closer to God he asks to see God’s glory. I’m always struck by the love and tenderness of God’s reply:
“I will make all my goodness pass before you,… But, you cannot see my face; for no one can see my face and live.”
God then arranges that while God’s glory passes Moses will be hidden in the cleft of a rock, covered by the hand of God so that he can see God’s back, but not God’s face. I am always struck by God’s tenderness in this passage. God’s love and concern for Moses is evident.
God recognises Moses’ desire and that to fulfil it in the way Moses has asked would not be the best thing for him. So God finds another way, away of fulfilling Moses’ desire to draw closer to God, while keeping him safe from harm. God declares that God is:
“Merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”
It seems to me that God demonstrates this steadfast, faithful and gracious love in this encounter with Moses.
Lent gives us an opportunity to draw closer to God. Like Moses, we are invited to speak to God openly and trustingly. That can sometimes seem a challenging, or even daunting prospect. Moses’ encounter encourages us and reminds us that the God who waits to welcome us is overflowing with steadfast love for each one of us.
What would help you to speak to God as you would to a friend this Lent?