Besides Exodus 24:9-11 is there any other passages that cover meals with the Lord, and if so how are they similar?
“Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.”
Exodus 24:9-11
In Exodus 19 it says
“And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.”
Exodus 19:10
The people of Israel are asked to consecrate themselves for three days because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
All of Isreal was told
“‘Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’”
Exodus 19:5-6
Unfortunately this is not what happened and the narrative related to us how Israelites fail right off the bat by not wanting to “approach the mountain” when the ram horn blasts.
“When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”
Exodus 20:18-21
Being removed from the situation it is easy for us to pontificate now but this must have been a terrifying experience. Non the less Israel rejects their opportunity to approach the Lord in the cloud and the nation as a whole misses the opportunity to eat a meal with the Lord as His nation of Priests.
The cracks are in the foundation and as we know it does not take long for them to reject the one whom they sent in their place, Moses, with something they made by their human hands.
In the New Testament we see Jesus, God in Human form, eating with His disciples even though they at times are not much better off than the Israelites. They do not get the picture most of the time, asking if they should destroy people by calling down fire, barring children from seeing the Lord, and fighting for who will have the most authority and best position, yet Jesus continuously is eating meals with them.
One thing that always sticks out in my mind is of coarse the last supper. Here we see the Lord of Glory sitting at the table with His disciples as well as the devil. It is clear that the Devil enters Judas and though the scriptures place Him at the table, Matt 26:23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me”, because of an incompatibility with some peoples theology and doctrines, they reject or ignore the fact that Jesus shared His last meal with the adversary himself. That it a shame because to me this is a powerful image.
Where as you had a no-one who was “unclean” and an exclusive amount of priests (due to a reluctance based in fear of the Israelites) in the Exodus meal, at the last supper it was inclusive to the “unclean sinners” of Jesus disciples’ even though one was possessed by the devil himself.
Is there a better definition of Enemy Love?
To wrap up, my minds eye is taken to the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation where Gods true kingdom of priests feast together with the Lord granted to them by their stead fast allegiance to Him. At this meal there will be no presence of the unclean for:
“the wedding of the Lamb has come,
Revelation 19:7-8
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)”
There will be no need for enemy love either at this point since the birds will be enjoying a meal prepared by the hand of the Lord made out of our enemies:
“the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.”
Revelation 19:21
It is hard to speculate what would have been if the Israelites would have approached the Lord and assumed the titles of a nation of priests, but none the less its exciting to know that all who remain loyal to Jesus will be granted access to the greatest of all meals, and in the end God gets what He wants: a loyal holy family of priests who sups with Him.
Peace and Blessings
Biblical Doctrine Derives From the Biblical Text
The Unseen Realm Course
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