Mᴏᴜɴᴛ Sɪɴᴀɪ Day 7 – Fifth ascent, entering the darkness “𝘈𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴.” 𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘴 20:21 𝘕𝘒𝘑𝘝 I’m not sure about you, but if I climb a mountain once, it would be enough for me. A second time, maybe, yes, but more than that, I would really start complaining – especially if it looks like Sinai at this point. But what trust did Moses have in the Lord to make another journey? Not just to reach the summit but into a dark cloud? The Hebrew describes the darkness as ‘𝗮̆𝗿𝗮̂𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗹 (pronounced 𝘢𝘳-𝘢𝘸-𝘧𝘦𝘭), meaning a thick darkness or gloom as of a lowering sky. It wasn’t just dark, like we would think of the darkness of night. When I read this, I found it very contradictory to Jesus being the 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. Why would God be in a cloud of darkness if there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5)? But our omnipresent God can be found anywhere. In dungeons and pits, in the belly of a whale, the grave, and your darkest moments. Sometimes God would have you walk into dark situations, inviting you into the midst of the cause to reveal His plan. This supernatural darkness was shielding Israel from His overwhelming holiness and divine presence. Still, within this darkness, God gave Moses instructions and regulations to follow: the proper use of altars, fair treatment of slaves, cases of personal injury, protection of property, social responsibility, call for justice, three annual feasts, and the promise of the Lord’s presence. The first thing God teaches Israel is the proper use of altars. Today, we no longer use altars because we can come into God’s presence under grace through our righteousness in Jesus Christ. Our prayers are offered as a sweet-smelling aroma to God as if they are placed on an altar before His throne. Our prayers allow us to step into the darkness where God calls us – into His presence. Pray with me: Father, thank You that You are omnipresent, and even if the situation looks dark, I trust that You are there. There is nowhere to hide from You. Give me the courage and boldness to step into the ‘ărâphel to hear your instructions and guidance. Amen. Pastor Iriza www.womenoftheword.co.za