mountain range
"He came to Horeb, the mountain of God." —Exodus 3:1
There are many mountains in life. For example, Mount Gerizim is the mountain of blessings for God's obedient people, while Mount Ebal is the mountain of curses (Dt 27:12-13). Mount Sinai (Horeb) is the mountain of the commandments (Ex 19:2ff), and Mount Carmel is the mountain of restoring our covenant with God and overcoming idolatry and false prophets (1 Kgs 18:19ff). Ultimately, Jesus wants us to walk with Him to Mount Calvary, by which we draw "near to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb 12:22).
To start climbing God's mountain range, we need to begin as Moses began — on Mount Horeb (Ex 3:1). There we see God in the burning bush (Ex 3:2-4). We see God consuming us by the fire of His love (see Heb 12:29). On Mount Horeb, we hear God call our names (Ex 3:4) and reveal to us His name (Ex 3:14). Mount Horeb is holy ground (Ex 3:5). Here we take off our shoes (Ex 3:5) and humble ourselves. On Mount Horeb, we enter into the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10) and of much of the Christian life. On Mount Horeb, God calls us to set His people free.
Climb Mount Horeb. Hear your Father call you by name.
Prayer: Father, after beginning at Horeb, may I end at Zion.
Promise: "No one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son — and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him." —Mt 11:27
Praise: Tithing led Anthony to almsgiving and to ever-growing faith.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Evangelization, order, listen to or download our CD 58-3 or DVD 58 on our website or order our tape on audio AV 58-3 or video V-58.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 22, 2017
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