HIDE IN THE CLEFT

Exodus 33:1-23

Saturday, 28 June 2025

Then the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. -Exodus 33:21-22.

The reading today describes one of the most difficult times in the life of Moses. The people of God whom God delivered from Egypt with His powerful arm and with mighty signs and wonders have turned away from Him and worshipped an idol. God was very angry with the people of Israel and wanted to destroy them (Ex.32:9-10); however, Moses interceded for them(Ex.32:11). It was in Exodus 31:18 that God gave the two tablets of testimony which were written by the finger of God! Very soon they forsook God who gave them a new lease of life, a new identity and hope for a new future and broke the commandments which He gave them even before it reached their hands! 

Having given the difficult task of leading such stubborn people, Moses must have been thoroughly confused as to how to proceed further! Though he tried to persuade God not to choose him for the task, Moses had to eventually take up the job as he was chosen by God! In V.12 Moses seemed to be asking: I feel alone…how can I carry out this great task?” There are many who read / listen to this message in similar predicament as Moses was in! Having begun a journey of faith to follow Jesus, they are now facing indomitable and discouraging challenges.

The life of Moses teaches us that an intimate relationship with God is the only way to prod on. Deut. 34:10 says, there was nobody like Moses whom the Lord knew face to face.” And Ex.33:11 states “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.” Further in Num.12:7, 8 God testifies “…. My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My house hold. With him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly….” 

Moses was so intimately related to God and God acknowledged it—a perfect relationship between God and a man!! Can a person having such intimacy with God go through times of agony? The lives of many men of God portrayed in the Bible give us the understanding of agonizing moments they passed through; however we also see a constant presence of God in their lives as a result of intimate relationship with Him!

Many of us feel the same way as Moses, becoming perplexed and lonely, wondering how to execute the godly tasks before us! There is good news for you - the way in which Moses overcame his discouraging situations would help each of us to overcome. Moses changed his confusion into confidence by having an intimate relationship with God. There is a personal conversation between the LORD and Moses. In the most difficult time of his life, Moses was talking with God, opening up his deep feelings with Him.  

Seeing the rebellion of his own people, Moses who had an intimate walk with God was never deterred by their attitude nor did he get distracted by the deterioration of faith around him! When all the people rejected God, Moses took the tent out of the camp and pitched it away from its premises and the tangible presence of God came down on the tent! It looked like God was coming to meet with His close friend! In our times of agony, in our moments of confusion and in our times of loneliness there is only one thing that will strengthen us—our intimate relationship with God.

But we may wonder if that is achievable! The answer that God gave Moses is the key “…that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand” (Ex.33:22).

The Rock that was cleft for us reminds us of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected and it

is in Him that we will find our solace and comfort! Jesus invites us “Come to Me, all you

who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt.11:28). In John15:1-10,

Jesus invites us to abide in Him! Abiding in Christ (ie. hidden in the cleft of the rock) will give us a fruitful Christian life (John15:5) and a fruitful prayer life (John15:7).

To Act on: Matt.14:23 – He (Jesus) went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Let us find time to be alone with God so that we will be strengthened in our times of solitude!!