In our Old Testament reading, we see the Israelites at Sinai. God has something to say to them. They have left Egypt but now need to learn how to be His people, putting the godless way of Egypt behind them. To do this, He had them purify themselves, and meet Him at Sinai – the mountain of God, to give them rules of engaging with Him.
Our New Testament reading places us in Jerusalem. Again, God has something to say to His people. This time around, He is not just audible. He is visible. He is Jesus. He wants His people to know that His salvation plan is about to be completed. So He enters the same city where He will soon be crucified, fulfilling at least two Messianic prophecies.
On Sinai, the Israelites were scared of God and asked not to hear Him audibly again. In Jerusalem, they celebrate Him as He comes to them. In both instances, the people don’t understand the bigger picture, and how it will change the course of history. All they perceive is the present.
Oftentimes, we are not so different. We often only see the current situations and implications when the Lord speaks, making it difficult for us to obey. It’s no wonder the Bible teaches us to trust God with all our hearts and not lean on our understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
We are not at Sinai, or in Jerusalem. We are in Zion, and here, we trust God beyond what we can see.
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that I can be short-sighted. Please give me vision to see things like you, and wisdom to know just what to do. Amen.
Today’s reading
Exodus 19-21
On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai.
2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:
Matthew 21:1-22
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.
3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”