“Are you sure I can’t blow the trumpet this time?” Gabriel asked as they touched down on the mountain’s summit. “I’ve been practicing.”
“It is not a trumpet, this time, Gabriel,” Michael explained. “Today I will be blowing a ram’s horn. The Father feels like it is more fitting to announce His presence to His people.”
“A ram’s horn?” Gabriel said, “Perhaps I’ll let you take this one.”
“Are the Quadruplets prepared?” Michael asked.
“They sure are. They are spread out above the perimeter of the mountain wrapped in clouds,” Gabriel said. “When they see the Father’s appearance, they will begin the lightning and thunder.”
“Are you prepared?” Michael asked his apprentice.
“I believe so. Once Moses leads the Israelites to the foot of the mountain, my team and I will begin the earthquakes.”
“Please, start small,” Michael warned. “We want to inspire awe, not knock them off their feet.”
“Will do!” Gabriel confirmed.
“I believe all is ready,” Michael said, “Now, we await the Father’s appearance.”
The two spent a moment surveying the terrain. Everything was set for the Father’s arrival. The mountain, Sinai, was the perfect place for the Father to descend and meet His people. The Israelites, the Father’s chosen people, two million strong, encamped near the base of the mountain, were already beginning to stir with expectancy. Moses, their leader, had given the people clear instructions on how to prepare for the Father’s appearance. Boundary markers were in place to prevent people from approaching the mountain to their own harm. The angelic host, who would herald the arrival of the Father, was in position, ready for the first sign of His appearance.
“Can you believe this is happening?!” Gabriel exclaimed. “For the first time since the Garden, the Father is coming down to visit humanity in all of his splendor. The people are going to be thrilled to see him!”
Michael did not reply.
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled as the Quadruplets signaled the appearance of the Father.
“It is time,” Michael said.
“They are going to love this,” Gabriel replied.
Michael and Gabriel assumed their positions. Thick, black smoke descended upon the mountain. Michael blew the ram’s horn louder than he’s ever blown it before. Gabriel and a crew of angels flew in a circle around the base of the mountain, creating a fierce wind. In unison, they each struck the mountain with a fist, causing it to shake violently. Then the voice of the Father thundered from atop the mountain.
~~~~~~
“That didn’t go as expected,” Gabriel grumbled as they walked behind Moses up the mountain. “I thought for sure the Israelites would be pleased to see the Father, among them. After all, isn’t that what the Plan is all about—the Father and humanity reunited?”
“Eventually, yes,” Michael said, “but that’s not what this meeting was about. The purpose of this visit was to establish His Law among His people. Revealing His power, His awesomeness, His fearfulness will show His people how important holiness is if they want a relationship with Him.”
“He definitely revealed His power. He barely made it through the first ten commands before they turned their tail and ran. They were all too happy to allow Moses to hear from the Father and speak for Him.”
“I believe that was also a part of the Father’s plan,” Michael said. “The Israelites, like most of humanity, are a fickle group. Though Moses was instrumental in their rescue from slavery, proving himself through many miraculous deeds, the Israelites do not revere him as a leader. This event helped establish Moses as their leader once again.”
“How long will that last?” Gabriel asked.
“Not long,” Michael answered. “Another sad consequence of the Fall. People will often reject God as their leader, as well as the people he anoints to lead them. Even if their leader wants nothing but the best for them, people constantly want to go their own way.”
“But now that they will have the Law, people will know what’s right and wrong, and it’ll be easier for them to make smart choices, right?” said Gabriel optimistically.
“I would like to agree with you, Gabriel,” Michael sighed, “but if you recall, there was only one rule in the Garden, and you know how that event unfolded.”
“True,” Gabriel conceded. “If mankind can’t obey one rule, how can they be expected to obey ten, or the dozens of others the Father is about to give Moses?”
“People will realize their inability to obey the Law on their own,” Michael said. “Those who truly want to honor the Father will draw close to Him for help. Like their forefather, Abraham, their faith in God will be counted to them as righteousness until a later time, when the Father’s Plan is complete.”
“I think I get it,” Gabriel said, beginning to connect the dots. “The Law was given to show humanity that they, on their best day, cannot measure up to the Father’s standard—His righteousness. The Plan will provide a way for them to do what the Law showed them they couldn’t do.”
“Well said,” Michael smiled as they continued following Moses up the mountain.
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