“…and Moses led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.” (Exodus 3:1)
There are many mountains of significance mentioned in the Bible. Predominant ones are Mount Horeb, where God in the burning bush revealed Himself to Moses concerning his role in bringing the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. The other is Mount Zion, where the city of Jerusalem is located, and where Solomon’s temple was built, and where the final earthly temple shall be built. Between these two mountains lies a vast history of God’s dealings with Israel, and with all men. The remembrance of them is important so that we will not forget how God met His people, what he revealed to them, and what He desires to be and accomplish in His church today.
When Moses was eighty years old, having spent the forty years in the wilderness, in great part herding his father-in-law’s sheep, he met God alone in a very real, and manifest way at Mount Horeb. The greatness, and yet the simplicity of the manifestation of God to Moses at this point, gives to this mount great significance, as it was a turning point in history, and would later play a tremendous role in forming Israel as a nation, providing there to Moses the Ten Commandments. That law of God would be the centerpiece of the revelation of God to man concerning His righteousness. As was the case of Moses who saw the glory of God in the burning bush, and heard the voice of God, so Israel would seed the glory of God at Mt. Horeb, and tremble because of what they saw. Though the people, left to themselves while Moses went up to Mt. Horeb to meet God, threw off all constraints, both moral and spiritual, God would still provide them twice with copies in stone of His Law, which would give to the people a clear understanding of His nature, His will. It would also give them an understanding of His righteousness, and the essential and fundamental truths which would guide them in their relationship with Him. Because of the absolute nature of this Law of God, though it would have a great, ordering and controlling effect on the people that they should live in peace with God, and with one another, it’s ultimate purpose would be revealed over a thousand years later by the Apostle Paul when he wrote: “Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Gal. 3:24) The absolute nature, and the resulting revelation of the holy character of God, would be revealed by this Law. The problem for mankind was that, in and of himself, by virtue of his limitations and the sinfulness of his nature, he could never obey this law in a perfect manner, acceptable to God. Later the Apostle Paul would write concerning the “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, “…that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4) So, at Horeb, this “Mountain of God,” is revealed the righteousness of God, the foundation for faith in Christ, and yet, its purpose was ultimately to convince man that he was lost without God, and that only God’s provision in Christ could save him. Again, Paul would write: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 10:4
Another mountain of great significance mentioned in Scripture is Mount Zion. This is where David would build the city of David, Jerusalem, and where Solomon would build the Temple. Somewhat like God’s glory revealed on Horeb, so His glory would be revealed in Jerusalem, in the temple. But that which is the greatest manifestation of His glory would be the coming of the Son of God to that mount, declaring that He, the Messiah, had come. Sadly, it would be outside of this mount, on a nearby hill, that Christ would be crucified, tasting death for every man.
Dear Father, Fill us with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.