Glory on the Mountain

Posted on February 19, 2023

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Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 99

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

I have always felt this fascination with mountains since a child. I have had this desire to climb the mountains that I see. While driving through some mountains one time I told my mom that I wanted to climb and jump across all of those rocks. She told me that she hoped that I would have good health insurance when I grew up because I would need it, as she thought about the injuries that I might acquire. 11 years ago I took a trip to Mount Rushmore with my sister. We camped near the mountain. There was one day that I just had to climb the mountain to see what I could see. From the top of where I was, I could see trees and other mountains and just this amazing beauty everywhere. It was on the mountain that I felt a peace and presence of God. However, I don’t think I could possibly compare my experience with the likes of the Glory of the Lord descending down upon the Mountain as it did within our scripture passages today.

Moses is up on the Mountain away from the camp of Israel and with is Joshua who will replace him as leader in the future, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu. Moses then goes farther on than the three who will be priests and goes up with Joshua. However, at some point Joshua is even only able to go so far but Moses is called even higher up the mountain. A cloud covers the mountain for six days and on the seventh day God calls out to Moses from the cloud. Six days of work just as when God created everything and then a seventh day of rest. The cloud was the glory of the Lord upon the mountain. From the view of the Israelites, the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Moses entered into the glory of the Lord and he stayed there for 40 days and nights. During that time Moses received the law of God and all of the instructions of the tent of meeting plus all of the rituals and festivals in which His people would participate. When Moses returns from the glory of the Lord, his face is shining brightly and it is transfigured as if the Lord himself is resting within him. Because of that he had to wear a veil over his face so that the people would not be afraid. For the glory of the Lord is so overwhelming that not many people can handle his presence and image.

In our New Testament passage, we see some parallels with our story with Moses and our new story with Jesus on the Mountain. Jesus takes with him three disciples, Peter, James, and John. Just as Moses had three priests, Jesus has three who will be leaders and priests of his new church. Up on the mountain from a distance the three are witness to something amazing. They are witness to the true image of God. They are witness to Jesus’ true self in seeing him in all of his glory. His face shines bright as if fire is coming from his eyes and his clothes turn into a pure bright white. We have labeled this event as the transfiguration. These three are witnesses to the glory of the Lord on the Mountain. With Jesus is two others who were men who saw the glory of the Lord on the mountain. Moses and Elijah are present and talking with Jesus. Moses represents the law while Elijah represents the prophets. Jesus then represents both the law and the prophets together.

Peter in seeing the amazing thing that he has witnessed doesn’t want this to end and possibly he may have thought that this would last awhile. Therefore, he found it reasonable to himself that it would be wise to build three shelters one for each man as they remain on the mountain. However, as if seeing the Jesus transfigured and seeing two dead men alive and present wasn’t enough, the glory of the Lord comes down in a cloud just as it did with Moses and the Lord speaks in the cloud. He once again claims Jesus as his son as he did at his baptism and he gives them an instruction to follow. For if they wanted to know and understand anything in how it is to be and in how they should live then they should listen to his son. They didn’t have a New Testament to read and follow at that time so therefore, Jesus himself was to be their New Testament and he would be the one that they must listen to and follow. For the glory of the Lord commanded it so.

Who would believe in such a crazy story about Moses up on the mountain in a cloud of fire? Who would believe such a crazy story about Jesus shining bright as fire and speaking with Moses and Elijah? Could such things really be true? Israel was witness to all that happened with Moses and they were witness to his face shining bright from the presence of the Lord. Peter confesses to us in his letter that he was an eyewitness to the glory of the Lord. It was not just him but two others as well. Obviously, these events seem like too good to the true. But Peter explains that these were not just some clever and made-up stories. These were actual events and he was a witness to such events. Peter saw the glory of God on the mountain. Peter heard the voice of God speak claiming Jesus as his son and commanding them to listen to him. This was more than just too good to be true. It was hard facts and truth. There were too many witnesses for it not to be true. The three were told to be quiet about what they saw until the time was right and that time was after his ascension. It was at this time that the account was told to Matthew and then later Mark and Luke. Peter tells us all in his letter as well.

I long for a day as I believe many also do, to see God’s glory on the mountain. This is something that we can only imagine and I really think that the imagery that we are given in scripture, probably doesn’t do the real thing justice. Just imagine though being on the high place and in the temple before the Lord. Seeing angels bow down to worship him. To see his light and brilliance. In this life he tells us that no man can look upon his face and live. His glory is just too overwhelming like being struck by lightning. We just cannot handle such a thing and survive. But when made perfect in his glory I wonder if we will see his face on glory mountain. The truth of the matter is that our God reigns in glory on the Mountain. Do you believe and are you ready for the day of his glory to reign?