God of Jesus Christ,
give us a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Christ,
so that the eyes of our hearts might be enlightened.
Help us to know the hope to which you have called us,
the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints,
and the immeasurable greatness of your power at work in us.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
—based on Ephesians 1:17-19 Today’s passage is just packed with interesting things! I won't even try to touch them all, so I'll just share one funny thing, one interesting thing, and one major theme. After that I’ll add one additional connection to the prayer book I’m using.
One funny thing: When the Israelites saw the manna, they said, “What is it?” and that name stuck. Manna means “what is it.”
One Interesting thing: Moses’ staff had been used for a lot of things: dividing the sea, becoming a snake, bringing on the plagues, etc. When God tells Moses to strike the rock, he says, “Take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go… strike the rock and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” Striking the Nile made it undrinkable. Striking the undrinkable rock make drinking water gush out (enough water for over one million people – no small gush!). I love it that we have a God who appreciates imagery and patterns!
One major theme: God’s presence is a major theme in the Bible, and in today’s reading it takes an important turn. Adam and Eve were banished from God’s presence (the garden) because of sin. In one sense the rest of the Bible is the story of re-entering that presence. The tabernacle was not the place everyone entered for worship like our church is. The tabernacle was the place where God’s presence was in the Israelite camp. Notice how important the presence is. Moses had to take off his sandals in front of the burning bush. God promises to be present at the striking of the rock (17:6), and the people’s test of the LORD was the question, “Is the LORD among us or not?” Now the Israelites can’t go on the mountain when God is there. Keep your eyes open for signs of God’s presence (or absence) and the people’s reactions. This is also a good theme to keep in mind when we get to Leviticus – the rulebook for living safely in the presence of a Holy God.
One additional connection: I have been using the new book “Seeking God’s Face: praying with the Bible through the Year” as part of my devotions. One of the Scripture readings a while back was Hebrews 12:18-24: “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.’ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’ But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Wow. Now that is an Easter/Ascension/Pentecost promise we can hold onto!
One of the prayers in the same book for that day was based on the Canons of Dort point 5, article 12: “Ascended Savior, fix my eyes on you, glorious and seated at the right hand of God. Let this vision of your heavenly reign – active, engaged, and working for my good – move me here on earth to live with a childlike humility in your care and steady courage in the face of opposition, all the while finding joy and gratitude. Welling up within me, a life pleasing to you and a benefit to the watching world. That’s a big order to deliver, but you are faithful to do it. Amen”
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