Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 24:9-11.

“Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel;  and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.  Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel;  and they saw God, and they ate and drank.”  Exodus 24:9-11.

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It was surprising that God “did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel”.  Who can stand before Him?!

Even Abraham’s wife, Sarai, wondered:  “…  Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?”  Genesis 16:13.

Consider Isaiah’s experience and statement.  

“Then I said,

“Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5.

“4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.” Psalm 5:4-7.

So, with reverence, even fear and trembling, we meditate on God’s appearance:  “they saw the God of Israel;  and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.”

Let us not merely think it was a beautiful sight.  What else does God’s appearance tell us about God’s position?  

As the sky is far above the earth, God is exalted far above the earth and all gods. God’s throne is in the heavens, and He rules over all.

“For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.” Psalm 97:9.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

Is there any hope for us?

“11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.
12 “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,
And your gates of crystal,
And your entire wall of precious stones.
13 “All your sons will be taught of the LORD;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.
14 “In righteousness you will be established;
You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;
And from terror, for it will not come near you.” Isaiah 54:11-14.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.