Moses and "his minister Joshua" were now summoned to meet with God. And as they were to be some time absent, the leader appointed Aaron and Hur, assisted by the elders, to act in his stead. "And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount Sinai." For six days the cloud covered the mountain as a token of God's special presence; yet there was no revelation of Himself or communication of His will. During this time Moses remained in waiting for a summons to the presence chamber of the Most High. He had been directed, "Come up to Me into the mount, and be there," and though his patience and obedience were tested, he did not grow weary of watching, or forsake his post. This period of waiting was to him a time of preparation, of close self-examination. Even this favored servant of God could not at once approach into His presence and endure the exhibitions of His glory. Six days must be employed in devoting himself to God by searching of heart, meditation, and prayer before he could be prepared for direct communication with his Maker.

Moses og hans medhjælper Josua blev nu kaldt op for at møde Gud. Da de skulle være deroppe i nogen tid, bemyndigede folkets leder Aron og Hur til at optræde på sine vegne, bistået af de ældste. "Derpå steg Moses op på bjerget. Da indhyllede skyen bjerget, og Herrens herlighed nedlod sig på Sinaj bjerg." I seks dage dækkede skyen bjerget som tegn på Guds nærværelse; men endnu havde han ikke åbenbaret sig selv eller meddelt sin vilje. I denne tid ventede Moses på at blive kaldt frem for den Højeste. Der var blevet sagt til ham: "Stig op til mig på bjerget og bliv der," og skønt hans tålmodighed og lydighed blev sat på prøve, blev han ikke træt af at vente, men blev på sin post. I denne ventetid gjorde han sig rede til at møde Gud og ransagede nøje sig selv. Ikke engang denne mand, som Gud havde vist så stor gunst, kunne træde frem for Gud med det samme og tåle åbenbarelsen af hans herlighed. Han måtte benytte seks dage til at vie sig til Gud ved hjerteransagelse, meditation og bøn, før han var beredt til af samtale direkte med sin skaber.