A Lenten Series on the number 40
Moses’ 40 days on
Mount Sinai
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Exodus 33:12-34:35
[Historically, Lent is a 40‑day period of
preparation leading up to Easter. It involves reflection, repentance and readiness
for the resurrection. Ultimately, it leads us to transformation. The number 40
is significant in the Bible as it is associated with multiple stories of
preparation and testing. In this Lenten series, we will be looking at various
Biblical stories that revolve around the number 40, and how that applies to
us.]
The year 1996 was a turning point in my
career in full time urban youth ministry. I was choosing between staying with the
ministry that I’d been with for 20 years, or starting my own non-profit ministry.
Looking for the Lord’s guidance, I decided to go on a 24-hour personal retreat at Mohican State
Park.
The only things that I took with me were my Bible, a
notebook and my Sports Illustrated. Most of my time was spent reading from
Exodus about how God called Moses to lead his people. Although I didn’t come
away with a specific direction from God, I believed he was telling me that,
like Moses, “I will be with you”.
When God called Moses to lead his people out of
Egypt, he told him that he would give him a sign. And that sign would be that Moses
would worship God on the same mountain as where the burning bush was – Mount
Sinai.
Three months after the Israelites had left Egypt,
Moses went up Mount Sinai to worship the Lord – the first of two visits of 40
days and 40 nights. It was there that the Lord reaffirmed his covenant with
Israel.
In the covenant, the Lord promised to protect Israel
when they entered the Promised Land. He would drive out the nations that were already
there. In return, Israel was to be obedient to him; to not serve other gods. The
people of Israel all responded, “We will do everything
the Lord has said.” But of course, they didn’t.
During Moses’ first visit on Mount Sinai, the people
became impatient and convinced Aaron to make a golden calf that they could
worship. When he did, they proclaimed, “These are the gods, Israel, who
brought us up out of Egypt.”
The second time that Moses was on Mount Sinai for
forty days and nights, he pleaded with the Lord to forgive his people and for the
Lord’s presence to go with them. During this visit he also asked to see the
Lord’s glory.
6 The Lord passed
in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion
and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. 7a I
lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity,
rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. NLT Exodus
34
As a result, something startling happened. When Moses
came down, his face was so radiant that Aaron and the people were afraid.
Because Moses had seen the glory of the Lord, he had experienced a physical
manifestation.
There’s only one time in my life when I’ve
experienced anything close to this. It was after my personal retreat. The following
Monday in the office one of the staff, without any prompting, commented that I
looked different; more at peace.
Being in the presence of the Lord may not change us in
our outward appearance, but it will change us inwardly. Before Israel left
Mount Sinai for the Promised Land, the Lord spoke this blessing to Moses so that it might be given to
the people of Israel.
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