Originally posted: 03/14/2019

Then He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, and you shall worship at a distance. ² Moses alone, however, shall come near to the Lord, but they shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.” … And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top, (24:1-2, 17).

Consider the Glory of the LORD

The Glory of the LORD is unapproachable; except by His invitation. He is the One Who extends the invitation, not man. The LORD beckoned to one and terrified the rest. Is it any wonder they were to worship at a distance? Who would dare approach Holy God? Only the one who had been called to be the mediator between God and man. “’Come up to the Lord… Moses alone, however, shall come near to the Lord,’” (24:1, 2).

The Glory of the LORD is indescribable. The elders saw something of the Glory of the LORD, but all that was described was the pavement under His feet; and that was enough to usher in a great rejoicing. “Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, ¹⁰ and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank,” (24:9-11).

The Glory of the LORD is terrifying. A colossal mountain all but disappeared in light of the blazing inferno of His Glory. “And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top,” (24:17).

 How do we respond to the Glory of the LORD?

• The Glory of the LORD is unapproachable. The Father has chosen to reveal His Glory in His Son.
  • In Jesus we see the very radiance of the Glory or the LORD.
    • God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, ² in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. ³ And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature… (Hebrews 1:1-3).
  • Jesus is God’s one and only chosen Mediator.
    • For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5).
  • We can now approach His glorious throne of grace through Jesus, our great High Priest.
    • “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, (Hebrews 4:14-16).

•  The Glory of the LORD is indescribable. Mere words are incapable of describing the Glory of the LORD. Words alone are also inadequate to express our immeasurable thanks for the amazing gift of His Glory.
  • Oh, that our lives would utter inexpressible gratitude through generous service, pointing others to the amazing grace and Glory of the LORD.
    • Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, ¹⁴ while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:13-15).

• The Glory of the LORD is terrifying; and this is good, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…“ (Proverbs 1:7).
  • The fear of the LORD is a powerful motivation towards obedience.
    • Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for our God is a consuming fire, (Hebrews 12:28-29).
  • The fear of the LORD is also a healthy barometer of our grasp of His holiness. As we grow in our knowledge of His holiness we will be moved to love and worship Him even more. The mountain of self will all but disappear as we stand consumed by the Glory of the LORD revealed in His Son.
    • And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth, (John 1:14).
  • Let us live consumed, not in terror as a stranger, but in an intimate and reverent fear of the LORD, demonstrated in holiness and faith and overflowing with gratitude for His indescribable Glory. Faith in our perfect Mediator and High Priest provides the unbelievable and holy privilege of access to the unapproachable and indescribable Glory of the LORD.
    • Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

Oh that our lives would manifest the Glory of the LORD, that He would be exalted in everything we say and do.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Let’s Grow Together!