Moses

Moses was a friend of God’s. God spoke to him face-to-face, intimately. When Moses returned from the mountain with the Ten Commandments written on the tablets by God, the people were found to be dancing and singing around an idol, a calf made from their gold, melted down and reformed. God became intensely angered by His people. Moses was angry as well, yet he wanted reconciliation between God and His people.

Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:8-10

For years, I have pondered this sight…of the people seeing the pillar of cloud and standing at their own tent door, worshipping. They saw God come down and surround the tent with Moses in it. They knew this pillar of cloud from their past experience…God had led them through the wilderness by the pillar of cloud and stopped them for rest by the pillar of fire. They understood this and thus they watched and worshipped. They knew they had done wrong, were sinners, and had not surrendered all to God. They wanted to be reconciled to God, but knew they could not go directly to God themselves.

Moses was their mediator.

God sees our sin and asks us to lay it down, all of it. The Israelites may have laid some things down but, as we know, some of those little things (those little things we tend to overlook and not call ‘sins’) stay in our hands with a tight grip. God wants everything that comes between us and Him.

In the Old Testament, God called His people to give their burdens over to Him:

Cast your burden on the Lord,

and He will sustain you;

He will never permit

the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

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God sent His Son as the Sacrifice for our sins. The Blood of Jesus was shed for me and for you. We carry the sinful nature of mankind. God wants our all in surrender. We are to cast our burdens upon Him and get under His yoke with Him.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

Jesus is our Mediator, our Intercessor.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:3-6

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of kings on earth. To Him Who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:4-7

Father, clouds are with us most days. May they be a reminder of Your Presence and the Sacrifice You made for us…for me. May I not forget. I know I hold sin as if they mean so very little, but they lie between You and me. They hinder my relationship with You. I place them at the foot of the Cross and ask for Your forgiveness through Your Son’s shed Blood for me. Teach me Your ways that I would not sin against You, my Father. Hold me near, that Your Love will permeate my being and make me whole. You have not called me to impurity but to holiness and that is my strongest desire, LORD. May this be so. May I see a cloud and sense Your Presence in my very life. I am so very grateful. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Walking in fog…like walking in mist, translucent and close, yet not confining except for a visual confinement of sorts. A cloud near to or on the ground.

A cloud is defined as “a visible mass of liquid droplets or frozen crystals made of water or various chemicals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of a planetary body.” Fog is defined as “a collection of liquid water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth’s surface. Fog can be considered a type of low-lying cloud, and is heavily influenced by nearby bodies of water, topography, wind conditions, and even human activities.”

“A low-lying cloud”…

Moses and the people of Israel knew a cloud that came down, a cloud that led them in the wilderness. Moses alone knew that from the cloud God spoke to him.

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. Exodus 13:21

And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” …. Exodus 19:9

The glory of the LORD dwelt 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. Exodus 24:16

When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses. Exodus 33:9

And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Exodus 33:10

God spoke to Peter, James and John when they were on the mountain with Jesus.

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him.” Mark 9:7

Jesus went to Heaven by a cloud and, one day, He will return for us on a cloud.

And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luke 21:27

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:7

These are but a few of the many verses in the Bible with the word “cloud.” But these particular verses also tell us of God. God came to Moses in a cloud. He spoke to Moses. He spoke to Peter, James and John when they were on the mountain with Jesus. God led the Israelites through the wilderness by “the pillar of cloud.” They walked in obedience to God for they knew God was in this cloud.

I can look upon fog and clouds through new eyes as I place these and many other verses together in my heart’s eye. God reveals Himself in so many ways to those who listen and watch for Him. I sense His nearness with God when enshrouded by the low-lying cloud, the fog. A cloud above me reminds me of His Presence.

Father, desiring to know You is my heart’s desire. I pray that as I stroll through a woods on a foggy day or look up into the sky to see the beautiful white puffs against a bright blue background, that I shall see You in my heart, feel You wrapped around me holding me closely. May I listen and know the words You speak to me whether it be through Your Word, actual words spoken, or through others who share Your Truth with me. I pray that I am available and obedient to Your call. May I know the “pillar of cloud” when You go before me leading me on Your chosen path. You are my God and I desire to know You…to know You in the ways that You come to me, to know Your character, to know Your Truth, Your Holiness. Whether by a cloud, a rainbow, Your voice, I want to know You. Guide me in every step, LORD. Thank You. I pray in the Name of Your Blessed Son. Amen.

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