How shall ev’ry valley be exalted, and ev’ry mountain be made low, the crooked straight and the rough place plain? The glory of the Lord shall be revealed (Isaiah 40:5).

What is the glory of the Lord? And how is it revealed?

The glory of the Lord was revealed in the appearance of two newborn babies: Moses and Jesus.

As Isaiah wrote: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and call his name Emmanuel, God with us. (Isaiah 7:14).

Behold your God! (Isaiah 40:9)

Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1).

I’m struck by similarities between the birth of Moses and the birth of Jesus. In each case, it was a time of great darkness.

Moses was born when Pharaoh was enslaving Hebrews and committing genocide against them. (Exodus 1:22).

Jesus was born when the Romans were occupying Israel and slaughtering those who resisted. (Luke 2:1-2; 13:1)

More than 1,000 years separated these times of darkness.

And yet, both times God acted to overcome the darkness through the birth of a tiny baby: Moses and Jesus.

Both times the light of the LORD shone upon us.

Both times the glory of the LORD rose upon us.

Both times God was with us.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Was the glory of the LORD revealed by the birth of Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, andor the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai? How? Why?

Was the glory of the LORD revealed by the birth of Jesus, his crucifixion, resurrection, and/or ascension? How? Why?

Was Moses, the Great Lawgiver, Emmanuel—God with us? How? How not? Why? Why not?

Was Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Emmanuel—God with us? How? How not? Why? Why not?

What are the similarities and differences between Moses and Jesus? Why?

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For related ideas, please read my blogs “Meditations: Hesed Endures Forever”, “Meditations: Hesed Blesses Forever”, “Hesed Establishes the Work of Moses’s Hands—Mount Nebo”  “Jesus Embodies Hesed—The Vision of Isaiah”, “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Fulfilling the Law of Moses and the Prophets”, “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Sowing the Ideals of the Law of Moses and the Prophets”, and “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Saving Lost Sheep, Lost Coins, and Lost Sons”.