2. ON THE SEVENTH DAY [MOSES] IS CALLED TO THE: Summit Of The Mountain, Where He Remains
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light') on the plains to govern the people. And if we are unable to follow our teachers to the height of divine contemplation, let us take solicitous care lest temptation should somehow draw us far away from the mountain of God. Instead, let us persevere in [good] works according to the measure of our powers, cleaving with unwavering heart to the sacraments of our
Redeemer, into which we have been initiated, and taking care to preserve undefiled in us the grace of his Spirit, with which we have been sealed. And if by chance we should be disturbed by the problem of adversities, then let us call upon the aid of our same Redeemer, who is accustomed to protect his faithful from every evil and to deliver them through the gift of the Holy
Spirit. Nor should we have any doubt that if we continue steadfastly in what we have begun, our weakness and lowness' will be strengthened and raised up by the mountain of fortitude, and empowered against the attacks of evely enemy. Furthermore, our ignorance will be illuminated by the light and fire of the Holy Spirit, as our soul is enkindled with love for that same benevolent Maker.
24: 15 And when Moses had gone up, a cloud covered the mountain.
Just as the mountain upon which Moses received the law designates the height of the perfection that was written down in that law, so does the cloud which covered the mountain suggest the grace of divine protection, which is enjoyed more and more the hgher one ascends in order to search out the wonders of God's law, as the eyes of one's heart are opened. For surely the cloud covered not only the mountain upon which Moses went up, but also the people who were travelling through the wilderness. They were by no means able to ascend to the higher regions, but the cloud sent from heaven overshadowed them nevertheless.2 Hence it is written that he spreadout a cloudfir their protection, since the Lord surely protects with heavenly benediction all those who fear hint, both small ~ n d g r e a t . ~
(81 2.
ON THE SEVENTH DAY [MOSES] IS CALLED TO THE
SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN, WHERE HE REMAINS
WITH THE LORD FOR FORTY DAYS AND NIGHTS
24: 16 And the glory of the Lord dwelt upon Sinai, covering it with a cloud for six days; and on the seventh day he called to [Moses] from the midst of the cloud. Not only the height of the mountain on which the 1 hurnrlrius 2 Exod. 13~21-2 3 Ps. 105:39 (104:39) 4Ps. 115:13 (113:13)
BOOK ONE
law was given, but even its very name as well, figuratively announces the perfection of that law. For Sinai is interpreted as 'my capacity' or 'my measure'.' Consequently, it was arranged by divine providence that the mountain on whch the law was given should be called 'my measure', as if the Lord himself was sigmfy ing by this name that his law teaches the perfect rule of life for everyone and renders to all people in accordance with their works.* This agrees with what he himselfsaid: 'For with thejudgementyou pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give is the measure
with which it will be given back to you.
Now it is properly said that when Moses went up [onto the mountain] a cloud and the glory of the Lord covered the mountain for six days, and on the seventh day [the Lord] called him to the summit of the mountain. For surely we are commanded in the law to work for six days and to rest on the ~eventh.~ And when he went up on the mountain Moses was covered by the cloud and the glory of the Lord for six days, so that it might be mystically suggested that anyone who fulfills the commandments of the Lord with righteous works is surely worthy of divine protection. Now the same Lord who ordered Moses to go up onto the mountain also surrounded him with his own cloud and splendour while he was on the way up, because the one who bestows upon us the gift of doing well also illumines us while we are doing well, lest we should falter, and shields us, lest we should be burned up by the temptations of the ancient enemy as if by the boiling heat of the sun.
The Lord called Moses to the summit [of the mountain] on the seventh day because the law promises us eternal rest after we have completed our works, so that we who have taken care to stand by the Lord on the height of right action will then deserve to go up to see and speak with him, in accordance with that [saying] of the psalmisf For he who gives the law will give a blessing. They willgofi.om strength to strength; the God ofgods will be seen in Zion.' Even in this life, it is certainly true that some of the elect have been permitted to ascend to the grace of divine contemplation once they have perfected the active life. Aftera fashionand to some slight degree, this can be achieved by persons who are still clothed in flesh; it was granted to many of the patriarchs and prophets, and above all to Moses himself, of whom it was specifically said that he spoke with Godface toface, as one
1 Jerome, Notn. (CCSL 72: 77, 1) 2 Ps. 62:12 (61:13) 3 Man. 7:2
4 Exod. 20:91 I 5 Ps. 84:7 (83:s)
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[9] speak to afi.iend.' Hence it is also possible to understand why this man in particular was covered with the cloud and with the glory of the Lord for six days on the mountain, and climbed up on the seventh day, when he was called to talk with [the Lord] on the summit of the mountain. For on account of the good works that he had received from the Lord's favour he doubtless merited to be further enlightened by him, and to be sheltered from all assaults of the evil ones, and so he attained to the higher gifts of seeing and talking with [God]. For surely the midst of the darkness, from which he is said to have been called, does not sign@ that there are any shadows in God,2 but rather that he dwells in light inaccessible. As the Apostle also says, No human being hasseen him, or ever can see him. For that darkness is the obscurity of the heavenly my~teries.~
It is indeed inaccessible to earthly hearts, but when disclosed by divine grace it can be penetrated by Moses and the rest of the blessed who are pure in heart, to whom it is said in the psalm, 'Come to him and be illuminated.
For his light is indeed inaccessible to our human strength; nevertheless, by his munificence one can draw near to it. Here there is aptly added:
24: 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a burning fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the children of Israel.
Surely the appearance of the glory of the Lord looked like a burning fire because it both enlightens the hearts of the elect with the gift of heavenly knowledge and inflames them with the fire of his chanty. Consequently, the glory of the Lord appeared in a cloud, in darkness, and in fire: in a cloud, because it protects us from the heat of temptations; indarkness, because the power of his majesty can be wholly comprehended by no creature, for the peace of God surpasses all understanding; and in burning fire, because it both illumines the minds of the faithful with the knowledge of supernal blessings and enkindles them with hope and love.
The children of Israel behold this glory of the Lord from afar and from below, but Moses enters into it by ascendmg higher. For the perfect doubtless see the hidden things of the divine mysteries perfectly and sublimely, while we who are mindful of our frailty and indolence, although we are unable to enter therein by comprehending, can at least take care to stay nearby and to observe by believing, hoping and loving7 For it is as if 1 Exod. 33: 11
2 1 John 1.5
3 1 Tim. 6:16
4 archarnorum 5 Ps. 345 (33:6) 6 Phil. 4:7
7 1 Cor. 13:13