November 2, 2020
The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt. After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance. God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance.
Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.
Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.
Exodus 33
The Command to Leave Sinai
1 The Lord said to Moses, “Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give it.’ 2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
4 When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’” 6 Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.
The Tent of Meeting
7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. 9 When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
Moses’ Intercession
12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- How does God refer to the people of Israel verse 1? What does this say about the seriousness of the peoples’ sin against the Lord?
- How does God’s mercy still show in verse 2? Although there is a breach in the relationship, God still promises to drive out their enemies before them in the land he swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. How does God respond when we sin against him?
- What do you believe is the significance of the Tent of Meeting being pitched outside of the camp instead of in the midst of the camp (v.7)?
- Reflect on 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we sin, what should our immediate response be?
Prayer: Lord, it is you who goes before me. You will be with me and you will never leave me or forsake me. Therefore, I will not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). You are forever faithful, and I will trust in you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me when I start to lose faith or hope when my life seems so stressful and full of uncertainty and woe. You have shown time and time again that You are here beside me and will provide for my needs . I give you all the glory for everything in my life for I am nothing without you. Thank you for your steadfast love. Please shield me and my family from harm and keep your umbrella of protection over us as we try to live worthy of your calling. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Gracias padre amado por tu pacto por tu fidelidad gracias por tu amor incomparable eres nuestro consolador redentor nuestra fortaleza nuestra guía espiritual Gracias padre amado porque te tenemos y te necesitamos cada día más sin ti mi vida no tiene sentido eres mi todo guíame en todo momento y lléname de tu espíritu santo aparta d lejos de mi y de mi familia todo lo que no provenga de ti mi padre soberano quiero ser barro en tus manos dame sabiduría para brillar para tu gloria y no ser nunca piedra de tropiezo para otro sino luz en el mundo y sal en la tierra gracias mi padre amado en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado Jesús amén y amén ?
Father,
Hear our prayers; they are always before you.
Draw us closer to you this day. May our thoughts be your thoughts.
LORD, you are our savior and redeemer. Let us shout for joy.
Equip us this day to do battle with the evil one and to help recapture lost souls from his clutches.
May we recommit our all to you this day.
This prayer is lifted to you in the name of your only son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Moses is one of my heros. As I said yesterday, “Oh, to have a relationship with God like Moses.” It is something for which I yearn.
Lord, show me Your glory.
Lord thank you for this day that You have made for us. Your mercy and grace are new each morning. Help us Lord to turn back to You. That we will behold Your glory once more. Your Will be done in our country. Remember us Lord Jesus and the purpose You have for us. In Your Holy Name I pray Amen.
Thank you, Lord, for going before me. You make my paths straight.
I fall short of what you deserve Lord, yet you are so good to me. Forgive me father. Thank you for the gift of life, for this moment where I get to enjoy your presence.