Letters to my Sons: The Grace of Moses’ Failure
The Grace of Failing
Remember… from whence you’ve traveled
A waste howling, desert land
As eagle’s brood, He’s carried you
But for grace alone… you stand
No one else could ever manage
Your forsakenness, He shared
Only He knew, that friends were few
True communion… place prepared
Heaven’s glory incarnated
Seven oceans in a thimble
Reduction’s proof… detentioned truth
So much more than shadowed symbol
Shadows are but faithful pointers
That substance is nearby
Outlined the form, in Moses’ dorm
“To know him”… was Moses’ cry
Overwhelming presence staggers
Deep calls out to deepest ends
For face to face… spirits embrace
God and Moses, two old friends
Only friends called, when conversing
About Jerusalem’s street
Spoke of decease, bloody lamb’s fleece
Son of man and Moses… meet
He was there when Son transfigured
Closest friends surround, most wise
Stood side by side… encouraged by
Man who died… short… of the prize
Moses called from plains of Moab
To view from Nebo’s height
Five score and twenty… sees land of plenty
Fruited plain, coastal delight
Splendid view, this land of promise
Pisgah’s scenery consider
Though deep and wide… access denied
Humblest man stands… un-bitter
(Buried in Moab’s valley…
Lot his father… and granddad
Incest scandal, internment handled
Now in death… no honor had)
Yet his eyes were 20/20
His natural force… resplendent
A focused friend…prophetic end
God’s sepulchered attendant
Centuries later, we see clearer
Failure… was not his master
Moses’ behavior… silhouetted savior
Friend of God was shadow caster
Son of God sees Moses’ contour
Cast from countenance… altered
Promise un-gained… unspoken shame
he encouraged Son… un-faultered
He spoke of a brazen altar
As though fashioned by his hand
Where lambs were slain, that bore God’s name
Though denied… of Promised Land
He speaks of reflective laver
That would mirror altar’s flame
And daily baths, for future paths…
Crossed within the gate… of shame
He tells him of a candlestick
a vine…and all its fingers
where nations stand, enlightened…and
a table…where men lingered
in the presence of their Savior
taking broken,living bread
Their portioned piece, in wine…released
the power of the Godhead
seen in each blueprinted template
is expounded…when the real
manifested…fully tested
Moses weighty words appeal
He shared of many witnesses
excited…interceeding
the righteous dead, want life instead
lead them captive…they’re pleading
Moses words, as incense powder
releasing vapors…higher
One little hint…a fragrant scent
stirred coals of censered fire
Moses whispers…into God’s ear
encouraged towards hope’s seal
curtain removed and fullness viewed
no more shadows of the real
Face to face stood this man of law
Leading nation … manna fed
Past daily chore, to gather more
He humbly handles Heaven’s bread
To prepare him for Jerusalem
Slain lamb’s foundational place
This righteous robe… Golgatha’s pose
Son and sin, soon… face to face
Clarity, just when it’s needed
Son of man, with friends, remained
With Moses’ nod, the friend of God
Suffering servant… is sustained…
By the words… of one who thirsted
And smote the flinty rock
Who when provoked… he should have spoke
Flowing waters to unlock
But now he stands as one who held
The message of “once smitten”
This time… he speaks … to him who seeks
To fulfill all that “is written”
Father truly pleased… to bruise him
With Moses …all things discussed
A smiting wrath… for man’s behalf
That shall cause mankind to trust
Fellowship… that fell the farther
By smiting… shall be restored
By cloven flint… men shall repent
And thirst for these waters… poured
Friend of God… gracious reminder
Sent unto the Son… most high
By meekest man… Lamb understands
Smiting love… that draws men nigh
Flinty Christ… the rock of ages
Cleft and smitten… ill demise
Without regret… Son’s heart is set
Moses’ words now satisfy
All while disciples were sleeping
The will of God, was awake
Son of man heard, by Moses’ words
Brazen altar’s coals… were raked
Son encouraged by this servant
To pursue communion’s breach
For Moses stood, as man who would
Die before his promise… reached
Men of failure… are God’s closest
Fellowship… their only thirst
As mercy trades… bitterness fades
Who was last becomes the first
Moses’ house seems more substantial
Things eternal… held in view
Domestic frame shows founder’s name
So remember… Moses’ clue
From surrounding fence through portal
Brazen altar, brassy laver
Holy Place door starts priestly chore
Second level of love’s labor
By candlestick and shewbread desk
Light for tabled… face to face
Behind…the door, the veil… before
Incense altar in its place
Access gained by invitation
Because of blood that poured
Through linen veil, Cherubim’s sail
Stand before Ark of the Lord
Cubic room was filled with darkness
Circumspective sight sees pure
Glorious grace, found inter-laced
Here’s the purpose of this tour
Remember… estate’s decorum
Much hides inside the rough
Each tent peg waits…for face to face
Abiding presence… is enough
Remember… Moses’ blueprints
Their form and fit and function
Shadowed the real, now shadows filled
With a present-perfect unction
Suffered servant is still reigning
Reigning king is still serving
Mercy’s speaking, always seeking
Faithful shepherd is still herding
Lion of Judah is still roaring
Highest Priest … interceding
Lamb forgiving, ever living
Where two or three are meeting
Take time to muse what you have read
Remember…what it poses
For most of all, as shadows fall
Christ is… the house of Moses
Lovedmadlydeeplymuchly… papa
