Moses has a good few mountain top experiences. From our first reflection in the desert he has come so far. The Lord is now an intimate friend, which is the goal for us all.
The mountain top moments for us are those times of encounter. Where the veil between heaven and earth are as thin as the air.
Maybe you hear God, Maybe you just sense His presence, Maybe its here you are given the mission of your life or simply the next step. Either way your soul is impacted forever.
Perhaps you are not sure if you’ve ever really experienced this, and if so why not? It is not for us to orchestrate. Our role is to remain open, to giving a yes at every step. This morning after yesterday in the desert we start at the foot of the mountain, the top may look like an impossible climb, you may well feel that its beyond you, perhaps you dont feel brave enough. Be comforted that it is not your strength that carries you up this mountain but His, and friends of the view is so worth it.
With a lot of artistic license, and it is just that. A prayerful reflection on what the unrecorded conversation on the top of Mount Nebo might have been that day…..
Moses felt the familiar tug in his heart, He needed to meet with his God, alone. He wandered off from the camp towards the Mountain of Abarim, his gait now that of an old man, yet his spirit still as keen as a Childs.
He found a rock to place himself upon and gazed upwards. It was still early, the sun was high enough to shed a beautiful glowing light but not enough to scorch the skin or blind the eyes of this weary servant.
Moses sighed, today this rock was his seat for solitude but tomorrow may well be another, in their 40 years in the desert there had been many such rocks, sometimes soft grasses, sometimes sand but today and here God had provided a rock that kept his ageing bones off the ground and gave him a view of the sunrise and of the land Israel was to inherit. He was grateful for the rock and the view, but also that the Land promised was almost in touching distance bringing a finality to his journey.
The breeze that cooled his brow this morning had blown through that very land to reach him, the dust from their promised home was on his very lips this morning. As he ran his tongue over them he could taste home.
“Moses, You know you will not enter the Promised Land” His Masters voice interrupted Moses’ own thoughts.
Moses didn’t respond. His heart felt like it was being squeezed tight by his Fathers hand. He tried to force the disappointment from his mind, He didn’t want the Lord to see it in him, but knew there was no place of hiding.
“I understand Lord; really I do” but then the small gutted child that still lived inside his heart broke out
“Is it because of the Murder? Because they made the calf under my leadership? and the rock? Lord why, why did I strike the rock? Oh Lord God, you see my heart, you know the remorse and regret I carry for all these things. I have tried, oh God I have tried to be a faithful servant”. He paused.
“But yes, there are many, many moments of weakness. I profess a profound love for you yet I still fall and fail. It was a moment Lord amongst many faithful moments, have mercy on me”
The Lord smiled kindly at Moses, a deep, deep love in His eyes that Moses through the tears welling in his own and with his head hung low was unable to see. God couldn’t have loved His faithful and humble servant more.
“Moses, it is not for any of these reasons. It is for your people. To enter the Promised Land there has to be a sacrifice made, atonement for all their iniquities, justice demands a payment”
The Lord paused to allow his words to penetrate the thoughts of His servant.
“I am asking you, Moses as my chosen leader of these people if you are prepared to forgo the earthly prize of walking them in. It is a small sacrifice that gains them the right to enter. Do you love your people enough, do you love me enough Moses to freely offer this, not as a punishment but as a gift?
Moses, to whom much is given much will be asked”
Moses remained silent, processing the words God had just spoken. Sensing there was more than he would just remain this side of the Jordan, watching his people finally enter Canaan.
God continued “It has to be a freely given choice on your part Moses, as for these people and this time, you will be the sacrifice, you have offered yourself for your peoples iniquities before Moses. This time however I AM asking you.”
The full weight of his Lords request now became clear, did he love his people enough to die for them? Did he love God enough to die here never reaching the fulfilment of these last 40 years. He knew the answer, of course, there was only one possible answer. It was this he realised he had spent his life in preparation for, not a physical victory but the internal victory of his soul. He didn’t need to vocalise this prayer since his God was looking right into the movements of the heart they had worked together to create.
“The people cannot know the reason why Moses, the Glory this time, has to be mine”
Moses winced with pain at the memory of the rock and the water, the words given to him at Sinai also resonated around his head “but if it is stolen, he shall make restitution to its owner” He and Aaron had stolen the Glory the Lord had been due that day, he dropped his head into his hands.
“Yes Lord, I have failed enough times before these people for them to trust I deserve this, it will maybe serve as a lesson to keep them more faithful to you as they move forward, the Glory I stole must be yours”
God’s own heart swelled with love as he saw the concern Moses held, even in this moment, for the people he had entrusted to him. The people, who had through their flawed humanity had tested, chipped and hewn the imperfections of his own, to reveal something priceless, precious and beautiful. His heart though not perfect was pure and reflected his creator in many of its facets. Even the flaws shone small glimpses of Gods glory from them.
“Moses this may seem a bigger ask than the many other things I have asked you before, but you get to abide with me here, face to face for eternity. That is the desire I see clearly written on your heart. I would not ask you to remain here and watch as your people journey over, so you will go to the top of a mountain and there you will die, your final view from your earthly place will be the promised land but your reward is an eternal one.
Moses spent the next few seconds finding the desire that God had seen in his heart, it was not so very deeply hidden. Yes, he thought above all things, above ALL things this was the deepest desire of his heart.
“Let it be as you have asked Lord” replied Moses.
“Moses, this is not your last mountain. You will stand on another mountain with all the glory of heaven around you. You will be a witness and a sign for another Exodus.
In time Moses there will be a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all people, so that everyone has the chance to enter the Promised Land, It too will be on the top of a mountain that overlooks a heavenly city. But for now your willing and imperfect offering will suffice for these your family and people. The ones I have given you.”
Joshua has been prepared to lead them through, He is young but I will be with him as I have always been with you. Do all you can to stir the memory of all I have done for your people, there are still battles to be fought and won, on the ground and in their hearts”
Moses stayed a while after he’d felt the Presence of God leave, offering praise and thanks for what God had called him to do, had created him to be. And he prayed for the strength to remain faithful and worthy for these last battles.
1.What is your experience of encountering God?
2.Have you had Mountain top encounters? Think on these for a while
3.Reflect on the small apparently random events of your life’s journey that have led you to be sat here today.
4. Can you think of an occasion where the smallest act of faith has brought great rewards?
5. What sacrifices have you made for those you love or have they made for you?