That's the scene set for us right at the beginning of Jubilees.
God commands Moses, "Write down for thyself all these words which I declare unto thee on this mountain, the first and the last." "The first and the last." From creation itself, all the way to… well, to the end of time! And it's all organized, meticulously, into "the divisions of the days in the law and in the testimony and in the weeks and the jubilees unto eternity." It's like a divine calendar, marking out significant moments in history, all leading to a grand culmination.
And just in case Moses is feeling a little overwhelmed, God enlists some heavenly help. "Write for Moses from the beginning of creation till My sanctuary has been built among them for all eternity," He tells an angel. Talk about a writing assignment! This isn't just about laws and commandments; it's about the whole story, the entire narrative arc of God's relationship with humanity. And crucially, it centers on the building of the Mikdash, the Sanctuary, a place for God to dwell among us.
But where is this all heading? What's the ultimate goal? The Book of Jubilees offers a powerful vision: "And the Lord will appear to the eyes of all, and all will know that I am the God of Israel and the Father of all the children of Jacob, and King on Mount Zion for all eternity. And Zion and Jerusalem will be holy."
Think about the implications! A moment when God will be undeniably present, when everyone will recognize Him as the God of Israel, the father of Jacob’s descendants. And not just a distant, abstract deity, but a King reigning from Mount Zion, the heart of Jerusalem. The promise that Jerusalem, the city of peace, Ir Shalom, and Zion will be utterly, completely holy.
It's a powerful image, isn't it? A vision of ultimate redemption, a world where God's presence is palpable and undeniable. And it all starts with a command to write, to record, to remember. Perhaps the act of writing itself, of preserving these stories and prophecies, is a crucial step in bringing that vision closer to reality. Maybe by studying these ancient texts, we, too, can catch a glimpse of that grand plan and play our part in its unfolding.