Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders, and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. God did not harm the Israelite nobles; they saw him, and they ate and drank.
Exodus 24:9-11
The Christmas dinner table is perhaps the focal point of Christmas Day. Yes, I’m remembering presents around the tree, but from my experience it’s more of a rammy. Christmas dinner might still be bit of a riot, but there’s something special about the shared experience of sitting down and eating together. There’s a unity in passing brussel sprouts, roast potatoes, and pigs in blankets round the table, and in pulling crackers and sharing the terrible jokes with each other.
Yesterday we saw that Moses was called by God and sent to share God’s messages and intentions. God rescued his people from their slave-driving overlords, and took them safely across the Red Sea. It didn’t take long before they started moaning though, and they ended up wandering the wilderness for forty years.
God remained generous and good, and in his generous goodness he gave them laws to shape how they might trust him, worship him, and live for him. At Mount Sinai he first gave Moses ten commandments on stone tablets, and then continued to give many other commands that would give more details.
“We will do and obey all that the Lord has commanded.”
Exodus 24:7
God’s people responded willingly and with resolve to trust and obey all that they had been commanded. Sacrifices were made in worship and in promise, and then we come to these incredible verses we’re looking at today.
Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy other elders met with God, and ate and drank with him!
Elsewhere, God tells Moses that nobody can see his face and live, so it would seem that in this instance they did not see the fullness of his glory and might. But they still met with God and feasted with him. We can only imagine what that must have been like for these guys, up a hill safely dining with the glorious God of all creation, what a beautiful picture of fellowship and unity!
Throughout the gospels, we often see Jesus eating with people, whether it’s being moaned at for eating with sinners, feeding thousands miraculously, or sharing a close meal with his friends before his death.
One day, Jesus will return, and he will eat and drink in the great eternal feast.
As a church, every Sunday we share communion together, a simple meal that reminds us of Emmanuel, and that we are heading towards that even greater feast.
Today, whether we eat alone or with others, let’s take time to remember Emmanuel, God with us, and let’s also look forward with joy to that day when we will feast with endless joy forevermore!
Then, let’s resolve to respond by faith, and obey all the Lord has commanded.
Rejoice!
Written by Pete Bell
A thought to remember: Emmanuel invites us to meet with him daily and eternally.
A bit more to read: Exodus 24
A question to ask: How will we respond to meeting with Emmanuel?
A song to sing: Christ Our Hope in Life and Death