The Whole Camp
Exodus 19:2 (CEB) · The Good Life
“They traveled from Rephidim, came into the Sinai desert, and set up camp there. Israel camped there in front of the mountain.” – Exodus 19:2 (CEB)
Picture the camp at the foot of the mountain. Not a select few who qualified. Not the strong ones who survived the wilderness on merit. All of them. The doubters and the complainers, the ones who had grumbled about the food and the ones who had danced at the sea, families and stragglers and the mixed crowd that left Egypt with them.
Every one of them camped in front of the mountain, and God spoke to all of them. We tend to imagine God’s invitation is for the people who have their act together. The camp says otherwise. The whole community is brought to the mountain, exactly as they are, before anyone is told to change a thing. If you have been waiting to qualify, look around. The camp is already full of people like you.
Who do you assume isn’t welcome that God has already seated at the mountain?
Gracious God, you gather the whole camp, not the worthy few. Help us trust that your welcome includes us, and widen that welcome through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.