as one man speaks to another
In the times of Moses this was unique. He was the only one who experienced this level of intimacy with God. Everyone else would "rise and stand at the entrance of their own tents, watching Moses" because they wanted to participate as much as they could in this relationship. They wanted as much as they could get of the presence and intimacy of God. When the glory cloud descended they would rise and worship at their own tents. But they could not enter God's presence. That was for Moses alone to whom the LORD spoke face to face.
We are often all too content to worship at the entrance to our own tents. But God calls us to come closer. Just as with Moses he calls us friends (cf. Joh. 15:15). As the LORD gives Moses the covenant so too does Jesus tell us everything he learns from his Father. Even Moses can only remain in the glory cloud for so long. But we are called to abide in Jesus (cf. 15:4) so continually that we can "pray always" (cf. 1 Thes. 5:17, Eph. 6:18). He lifts us up and seats us with him in the heavenly places (cf. Eph. 2:6). Our life is hidden now where Christ is seated at the right hand of God in heaven (cf. Col. 3:3). This is how close we can come!
We are as stiff-necked a people as anyone. We don't just make golden calves. We mass produce them. Even those of us who have been blessed to know the Jesus and to have life in his name (cf. Joh. 20:31). But when we do draw near to God we find mercy even if mercy isn't exactly what we are looking for. Whenever people turn to Jesus for any reason he is ready to say, "Your sins are forgiven" if we are ready to listen.
“The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity,
continuing his kindness for a thousand generations,
and forgiving wickedness and crime and sin
May we listen. If we hold on to our sins in the face of this generous offer we seal our own fate. If we spit in the face of the offer of intimacy with love himself there is nothing left for us but the "fiery furnace".
they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
We are stiff-necked, it is true. But we don't need to be afraid. God's mercy is greater. He can get us to the promised land.
yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own
His mercy is so great. Our sins are not just ignored they are removed from us so far that they no longer have anything to do with us. They are put as far from us "as the east is from the west". He does this because he is not a mere lawgiver or judge or king. He is a Father. He wants to father us. His Spirit makes us cry "Abba!" (cf. Rom. 8:15).
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
Just as the face of Moses shines when he has been in the presence of the LORD so too will we shine if we let God come as close to us as he desires.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Let us fix our gaze on him!
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18).
This is how we can answer the call to be lights of the world (cf. Mat. 5:14).
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