Aren't you glad that the invitation to fellowship with God is open to all at all times in Christ? Oh, I am! I suspect, though, that we sometimes fall prey to the adage 'familiarity breeds contempt.' We take our access for granted; either ignoring it or entering presumptuously. Moses did not do that; perhaps His first encounter with God in the burning bush never left his mind. God had told him, 'Take off your sandals, you are standing on Holy Ground.' We will be blessed to remember that Christ's work which reconciled us to the Father is Holy Ground.
Moses first shared all he had heard from God with the others, then he built an altar that included every tribe. Others were recruited to participate in offering the sacrifices and blood was presented. Throughout scriptures we are reminded that a life must be sacrificed to provide atonement for sin. Finally, the invited ones ascended the mountain and encountered the glory of God. Pavement of sapphire: can you imagine? Later in the passage, we are told a cloud surrounds God, yet the people saw a blazing fire. When we recall who our God is, it is not so hard to remember that approaching Him is a holy, reverential experience!
Only Moses and Joshua pressed upward; the example of Moses' mentorship with Joshua always reminds me that all in leadership should be discipling another--grooming them to take the lead one day. The leaders who were left were instructed to take disputes to Aaron and Hur. That reminds me that conflict is to be expected--even in leaders. Leadership and submission are necessary aspects of order. God can be counted on to recognize us as individuals; we each must strive in our own area of responsibility for His words: "Well, done, thou good and faithful servant."
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