But Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him. Moses' singular proximity to God is maintained throughout the covenant ceremony. The others worship at a distance; Moses alone approaches the Lord. The distance is not punishment but protection — the holiness of God is dangerous to those who are not prepared or authorized for full proximity. Numbers 12:6–8 captures the uniqueness of Moses' access: with my servant Moses I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles. Hebrews 7:25 says Christ always lives to intercede — the singular mediatorial access that Moses had at Sinai finds its permanent fulfillment in the one who intercedes without limit, without distance, and without the risk of death from proximity.

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