Exodus 23-25

They “saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was ... lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky ... they saw God, and they ate and drank” (24:9-11). Moses and other leaders met with God on the mountain, and Moses went up to further commune with God for 40 days. In these special encounters, “the people remained at a distance” (20:21). God was protecting and preparing them, but they were not ready for such intimacy with the Lord. Instead, he led them step by step.

“Worship the Lord your God” (23:25). The Israelites worshipped at a distance, yet God’s desire was to include them in close fellowship. Jesus, “God with us,” crossed the distance and brought us near (Ephesians 2).