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Getting to know God is so awesome! As I learned to read the Bible, pray and worship, I began to experience the Presence of God. And I couldn’t get enough! I found it difficult to do anything else; I loved His Presence so much! I love the story of Moses, the people of Israel, Joshua and the Presence of God told in Exodus 33:
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.’” Exodus 33:1-3 (NLT)
God was not happy with the Israelites! He was ready to stop traveling with them, and instead, replace His Presence with an angel. Scripture records this statement as causing sadness in the Israelite camp:
“When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes. For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.” So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry or fine clothes.” Exodus 33:4-6 (NLT)
The people went into mourning over the stern words of the Lord. They felt the displeasure of the Lord. But how did Moses, their leader, handle these words of displeasure? Did he run from God, or bow his head in shame and withdraw? Not quite! Moses and Joshua had a slightly different relationship with God than the rest of the Israelites:
“Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents. Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.” Exodus 33:8-11 (NLT)
Notice that Moses went right into the Presence of God in the Tent of Meeting. Joshua would even remain afterwards in the Tent of Meeting, where God’s Presence was. But the people stood in the entrances to their own tents, and watched Moses and Joshua. They were not trying to get into the actual Presence of God, but wanted to remain safely in the distance and watch. They were afraid.
Often in a service, I see people who seem to be watching from a little distance. They are not really sure that they want to run closer to the Holy Presence of God. After all, He says stern things and talks about destruction. But those who have tasted this Presence, they spiritually run towards Him! Their cry is similar to Moses’ when he talked to God about having an angel instead of God’s Presence leading them:
“The Lord replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you.’” Exodus 33:14-18 (NLT)
Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me – on me and on your people – if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” (v. 15-16)
The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” (v. 17)
Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” (v.18)
In Verse 14, Moses was personally reassured by God that He would go with Moses. But Moses still makes an appeal for God to bless the people as well. And after God reassures Moses that he had God’s favor, Moses asks for the highest thing a human can ask for. He asks to be shown God’s glorious Presence!
We see this concept throughout the Bible, always expressed by those who have a desire, like Moses and Joshua, to experience the fullness of God’s Presence!
“The one thing I ask of the Lord – the thing I seek most – is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” Psalm 27:4 (NLT)
Lord, help us to seek the one thing that matters most – YOU! Forgive us for being afraid and standing at a distance. Give us strength, and draw us closer. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.’” Exodus 33:1-3 (NLT)
God was not happy with the Israelites! He was ready to stop traveling with them, and instead, replace His Presence with an angel. Scripture records this statement as causing sadness in the Israelite camp:
“When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes. For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.” So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry or fine clothes.” Exodus 33:4-6 (NLT)
The people went into mourning over the stern words of the Lord. They felt the displeasure of the Lord. But how did Moses, their leader, handle these words of displeasure? Did he run from God, or bow his head in shame and withdraw? Not quite! Moses and Joshua had a slightly different relationship with God than the rest of the Israelites:
“Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents. Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.” Exodus 33:8-11 (NLT)
Notice that Moses went right into the Presence of God in the Tent of Meeting. Joshua would even remain afterwards in the Tent of Meeting, where God’s Presence was. But the people stood in the entrances to their own tents, and watched Moses and Joshua. They were not trying to get into the actual Presence of God, but wanted to remain safely in the distance and watch. They were afraid.
Often in a service, I see people who seem to be watching from a little distance. They are not really sure that they want to run closer to the Holy Presence of God. After all, He says stern things and talks about destruction. But those who have tasted this Presence, they spiritually run towards Him! Their cry is similar to Moses’ when he talked to God about having an angel instead of God’s Presence leading them:
“The Lord replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you.’” Exodus 33:14-18 (NLT)
Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me – on me and on your people – if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” (v. 15-16)
The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” (v. 17)
Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” (v.18)
In Verse 14, Moses was personally reassured by God that He would go with Moses. But Moses still makes an appeal for God to bless the people as well. And after God reassures Moses that he had God’s favor, Moses asks for the highest thing a human can ask for. He asks to be shown God’s glorious Presence!
We see this concept throughout the Bible, always expressed by those who have a desire, like Moses and Joshua, to experience the fullness of God’s Presence!
“The one thing I ask of the Lord – the thing I seek most – is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” Psalm 27:4 (NLT)
Lord, help us to seek the one thing that matters most – YOU! Forgive us for being afraid and standing at a distance. Give us strength, and draw us closer. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.