Introduction:
Our series that we have been dealing with is called: Life is a Journey. And indeed, life is a journey from here to there. Some of the journeys that we take are God initiated journeys and some were self-initiated journeys. And I told you we can tell the difference between a God initiated journey and a self- initiated journey because in a God initiated journey, we hear from God and the Holy Spirit confirms in our heart that we are to go.
But let me tell you, that is not enough. If God where to tell you to go and not lead you all the way there, that would not be enough. We cannot make the journey without both God telling us to go and then God guiding us.
Moses knew that; and so, we come to an interesting discussion between Moses and God in Exodus 33. And I believe that this discussion is written for our instruction because it says in 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NIV) These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us…
The discussion goes something like this: Moses, you and the Israelites, I told you to go and I have led you this far, but the rest of the way to the Promised Land, I am not going. But here is the deal, although I am not going, I will not leave you empty handed as I will send an angel to defeat the enemies along the way. And Moses’ response is: no, that is not enough. If you don’t go God, then we don’t go any further. And what I want to do is to see what we can learn from this discussion between God and Moses especially since God said that He has written this account in His Word for our instruction.
Bible Scripture
Exodus 33:1-3 (NIV)
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.'
2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way."
Exodus 33:15-17 (NIV)
15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Point #1
DO YOU REALIZE HOW BLESS WE ARE TO BE LIVING ON THIS SIDE OF THE CROSS THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A MOSES TYPE DISCUSSION WITH JESUS EVER?
In Exodus 33:15, we find Moses having a discussion with Jesus pleading for Jesus not to leave him on this journey through the desert to the Promised Land. You see Moses knows that anything less than Jesus leading them would never be enough. Now, Jesus obviously was going to send one of His best fighting angels because God says in verse 2, He is sending an angel to fight the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Just one angel to fight the enemies of Israel; so, this angel must be a pretty good fighting machine. Right? But, let me make this crystal clear, there is no comparison between Jesus and this fighting machine angel; Jesus wins every time hands down.
Moses was not the only one who had this discussion with God in the Old Testament. In Psalm 51:11 (NIV) David says: Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. In this Psalm, we find David begging God not to remove His Spirit from him. David knew the importance of God leading him and guiding him.
Now fast forward to you and me. Did we wake up this morning thanking God that He is always with us? That is an awesome thing to think about- if you are a child of God that He will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) God says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." The unlimited God of the universe chose to limit Himself by promising to you and me that He will always remain with us. And in doing us, He assures us that we will never have this discussion with God that Moses and David had.
But unfortunately, so many Christians allow something else other than God lead them although He is right there inside us. Some are led by money. How many people have made decisions based upon money? More money, sure I will go. Some have made decisions based upon their friends or family. Don’t want to displease my family or friends! And some have made decisions by their old nature. Oh, what a privilege to know on this side of the cross, God is always there to lead us if we let Him.
Point #2
THIS STORY BEGS YOU AND ME TO ASK THE QUESTION: DO YOU AND I LOVE THE PROMISES THAT GOD KEEPS OR THE THINGS THAT HE DOES FOR US MORE THAN WE LOVE GOD HIMSELF?
That is exactly the situation Moses finds himself. God made a promise to Abraham and God was using Moses to fulfill that promise. God tells Moses I am going to fulfill my promise of giving your people the land, and I am going to send an angel to drive out the enemies living in the land so that you can have control of the land. I am just not going with you.
Now, I can remember Christmas morning as a child. I would wake up early and couldn’t wait to my mom and dad gave me the okay to tear into the presents. And that is exactly what I did. Paper was flying everywhere, and I ripped into those packages to see the great things that I got. And you know what, I got to be honest with you, as a child I was more interested in the gifts than the person who gave them to me. I never stopped to read who it was from; the gift was more important to me than the giver of the gift.
Moses tells God that is a great promise that you are giving our people. That is a great gift that You are giving us. But I am more interested in the relation with the giver of the gift than the gift itself. So, if you are going to stay here, I am going to stay here too.
That is how you and I are to love God too. We are told that we are to love God with all of our heart, mind and soul. I am to love God and appreciate the things that things that He does for me. I am not to love those things that He does for us and appreciate God for giving them to me. The Bible tells us that you can not love two masters. For will either love the things or you will love God and we need to love God.
Moses loved God more than the promise. Do you love God, more than the things that He has given you?
Love the Giver, appreciate the gift- that is what Moses teaches us. Today, can you say I love God, with all my heart, mind, and soul.
Point #3
DO YOU REALIZE THE THING THAT DISTINGUISHES OUR GOD FROM ANY OTHER god OF THIS WORLD IS THAT OUR GOD MAKES HIS PRESENCE WITH US?
16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
Think back to the story of Adam and Eve. The Bible says that His presence was with them as He would walk with them in the cool of the day. Think back to the Israelites as they traveled through the desert. God had them built a tabernacle so that God could be in their midst. And He was that cloud by day and fire by night; His presence was with them. And think about the Prophet Isaiah when talking about the birth of Christ proclaimed that we should call him Immanuel, God with us. Think back to the time of Jesus’ Ascension into heaven. He told the disciples that it is good that I go away but I will send the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. And think forward to the times of the Revelation and God says you will be my people and I will be your God and I will dwell among you.
If you and I want the world to come to know Christ, it is going to be by His Presence in your life. My question to you is: do you live like you should so that others can see Jesus in you?
Let us pray!
