"Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud" (Ex. 24:16).
The public ceremony of sealing the covenant being over, Moses was called up to receive further instructions. He remained on the mount for six days, during which time God gave Him commands written on tablets of stone. Moses taught the people nothing but what he had received from the Lord, and he received nothing from the Lord but what he taught them, for he was faithful both to God and Israel. He did not add to or diminish what God had entrusted to him. Likewise, all good pastors, preachers, and teachers should neither add to nor subtract from what God has given them to proclaim to the people. They are to teach and preach the whole counsel of God, not just bits and pieces that suit their own tastes. Worthy is the minister who is faithful to the charge God gives him, for in doing his duty he is faithful to both his King and his people.
Moses left Aaron and Hur in charge while he was gone, but he took Joshua with him. It would have been appropriate to have Joshua with him as he tarried on the mount before being called into the cloud of God’s presence. Joshua was to be his successor, and therefore he was honored before the people, above the rest of the elders, that they might afterwards accept him as their governor. And thus he was prepared for service by being trained up in communion with God. Joshua also seemed to be a type of Christ. When Moses took him onto the mount, it could have symbolized that without Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, there is no looking into the secrets of heaven, nor approaching the glorious presence of God.
A cloud covered the mount six days, a visible token of God’s presence and His mystery. He tested Moses’ patience, seeing if he would wait upon the Lord. Moses passed the test, and on the seventh day, he entered the cloud. The cloud opened before the people, and the glory of the Lord broke forth like a devouring fire. Why did God manifest Himself in such an awesome, terrifying way when He gave the Law? It was so that the people would be persuaded to obey and so that they would be prepared for the coming of the Gospel. It was into this awesome display that Moses went to commune with the Lord and receive His Law, which he in turn gave to the people.
One principle we can learn from this passage is that we need to spend time in communion with God before we undertake difficult tasks in His service. Moses did it, and Jesus did it before the commencement of His public ministry. Before you engage in service, set aside significant amounts of time to pray and to meditate on the Word.
