Exodus 33:1-23
Sunday, 14 March 2021
“… And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. ” -Exodus 33:14
There is an intimate conversation that is going on 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. In Exo 33:12 Moses seemed to be asking: “You have put me in leadership and have given me a task to lead these people – but now I feel alone because even Aaron whom you assigned to assist me (Ex.4:14-16) has failed in his commitment (Ex.32:21-25). So how can I alone carry out this great task?”
Often many find themselves in the same situation as Moses, becoming perplexed and lonely, wondering how to execute the godly tasks before them! The life of Moses was an intimate relationship with God. Look into these references— 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….”
Here is the picture of a perfect relationship between God and a man! Moses was so intimately related to God and God also acknowledged that intimacy!! Can there be problems such as that faced by Moses in the lives of people who are sold out for the Lord? 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 in their ministry; however, there is one thing commonly seen in their lives – a constant presence of God in their lives as a result of intimate relationship with Him!
In Exodus 32 we see how Israelites rebelled against God and rejected Him! They made a god for themselves declaring allegiance to it!! They forgot the fact that God was their Savior from slavery; from the enemy who was planning to destroy them; who provided them food and water; they forgot the One who kept them safe!! But Moses who had an intimate walk with God was never deterred by the attitude of people around him 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 people camp and pitched it away from its premises!
What we see is that each time Moses went into the Tent, the tangible presence of God came down on the tent. It looked like God was coming to meet His close friend! But that teaches us a very valuable lesson that in our times on 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.
The answer that God gave Moses is our meditation for today. “… And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exo.33:14). Are there questions in your mind? Are you feeling tired of the labour ?– today He is inviting you to have a personal refreshing moment with Him – Psalm 37:3-5 reminds us to trust in the Lord, delight in Him and to commit our way to the Lord and He will help us. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt.11:28). Let us find time to be alone with God so that we will be strengthened in our times of solitude!!
Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” Exodus33:15