Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, August 10, 2015
Today’s Scripture:
“And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.” (Exodus 24:13–16).
Quick Observation:
The time had come for God to continue to reveal Himself to His people in ways they had never before experienced. The Lord had commanded that there be bounds set at the base of His holy mountain lest anyone, whether person or beast break through and see Him and they be destroyed. The Holy Ten Commandment Law had been etched by God upon the sapphire stone taken directly from His throne, and God told Moses to bring Joshua, Aaron, Hur, and seventy elders to commune with Him. The Bibles says, however, that only Moses would come into the nearest presence of God where He would speak to him face-to-face (at least as much as Moses could and live). There were to be sacrifices carried on by the larger group of men, Aaron and Hur were to come a bit closer in the mount, but were to be responsible for dealing with Israel’s pressing issues in Moses’ absence, and he and Joshua would go near to God. Joshua went to the top of the mount with Moses, and after the prescribed number of days, God enfolded Moses into the cloud with Him for 40 days and nights.
Why was Joshua so privileged to be at the top of the mountain with Moses? Why was he not closer to the people like Aaron, to handle Israel’s pressing issues, should they arise? Could it be that God was giving us a foretaste of the sanctuary blueprint where there would be those who ministered in the Outer Court with daily sacrifices, those who ministered the blood, etc. in the Holy Place, and those few who would minister in the direct presence of God in the Most Holy Place? Moreover, could it be that God was preparing Joshua to take the helm many years later, to carry the second generation of freed Israelites into the Promised Land? God must have been doing something special with Joshua, especially considering the fact that Aaron would be anointed as a high priest, and he was not even at the top of the mountain with Moses.
Life Application:
We must stay prayed up everyday, asking the Lord to show us what we must do for that day. Step-by-step, He is preparing us to be effective presently, and to faithfully carry out His mission in the future. All too often, we choose not to seize our current opportunities to serve God’s purposes, because we don’t understand what He’s doing, or are just too proud. Suppose Joshua became envious of Moses like the sons of Korah did Aaron? Suppose he thought it dishonorable to be so close to the cloud of God, and not be welcomed in with Moses? Suppose he was dissatisfied with his trajectory, especially considering he was instrumental in the victory over the Amalekites? Suppose he was distracted by worldly ambition and missed the opportunity of being in the presence of Almighty God (blessed be His name)?
Ask the Lord today to make you attentive to His plans for your day, and be available for training for the things He has prepared for your future. Ask Him to keep you humble and submissive, so you can be as effective as He needs you to be in representing Him while carrying out your daily duties.
A Prayer for Your Hearts:
Lord, please teach us how to be attentive to your voice and calling on our lives. Help us to seize every opportunity to bask in the nearness of your presence. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
