12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” 15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. (NRSV)

NOTES:

See also Matthew 17:1-9: Transfiguration of Jesus

Other Texts: Exodus 16 & 19; Deuteronomy 5:23-33; Lev. 26:11; Ezek. 37:27; Isaiah 6; Mark 15:38; Luke 2:8-20; John 1:14; John 14:9 – “…as you have seen me, you have seen the Father…”; Romans 5:2; Revelation 21:3;

 

Questions:

What other stories of “the glory of the Lord” can you remember from scripture?

In what ways has the church talked about “the glory of the Lord”?

Where do you see God’s glory in your own life and church?

What is the connection between “the glory of the Lord” and “giving glory to the Lord”?

Where do you see God’s glory out in the world that it could be pointed out to others?

What is our response when we see the glory of the Lord?

 

PRAYER:

Gracious God, We confess that we have neglected to see your glory: in your world, in our lives, and in the people around us. Give us eyes to behold, humility of heart to worship, and courage of voice to proclaim your glory to a world looking for something to worship.

 

Upcoming Texts:
Week of 2/4-2/10:  Psalms 51 & 32 – Repentance & Forgiveness	Week of 2/11-2/17:  Psalm 121 – Dependence