Do We Seriously Want to Meet God?

One of the more surprising stories in the Old Testament book of Exodus receives little attention, perhaps because the story is so short. But Moses is up on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, and God tells him that He intends to come down into the camp and meet the people in three days. Moses accordingly reports God’s intention to the people down below who tremble with fear (they can see the fiery shaking mountain, after all) and suggest, alternatively, that they will stay in their tents, and perhaps Moses can just climb back up the mountain and meet God there.