The Journey Resumes

The Journey Resumed (into God’s Glory)

Introduction

This morning- Ex 33- heading- The Journey Resumed

God used Moses- lead Israel out of 430 yrs of slavery in Egypt- significant- from slavery to freedom.

ie fall of the Berlin wall, iron curtain in Europe

Picture- God, through Christ, leading us out of spiritual slavery to freedom in Christ.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. NASU

Do we fully grasp/rejoice in what God has done for us or do we toy again w/sin that leads back to slavery.

1Pe 2:16 You are free from the law, but that doesn’t mean you are free to do wrong. Live as those who are free to do only God’s will at all times. TLB

God calls Moses up the mountain- ten commandments

While gone- people fall into sin- make golden calf.

As a result over 3000 men die in one day for their sin.

The Journey Resumed

Ex 33:1-3

What does He mean by obstinate?

God’s judgment- My presence will not go w/you.

He would keep- promises made to Abraham, but He Himself would not go w/them- send an angel.

Obstinate- stiffed-neck, stubborn, dense.

Sin is always costly- Israel’s sin led to the death of thousands and robbed them of God’s presence.

God never permits His people to sin successfully. Charles Spurgeon

Ex 33:4-6

The ornaments may have been a sign of their idol worship- melted down gold to make golden calf.

Ancient world- people- demonstrate repentance- remove jewelry- put on plain clothes or sackcloth.

Picture of God’s grace- God had obviously not chosen to save Israel because of their goodness/superiority

1 Cor 1:26-29

God chose Israel to be a people apart from, different, separate from the rest of the world.

Jn 17:15-17

The truth should set us apart for God’s purposes.

Interesting quote- what does it mean?

It is faith’s work to claim and challenge loving-kindness out of all the roughest strokes of God. Samuel Rutherford (Scottish Minister)

Ex 33:7-11

Tent of Meeting- precursor of the Tabernacle.

Moses- go to this tent to meet w/God and intercede.

The tent- outside the camp- perhaps as a reminder to the people that their sin separated them from God.

They could worship God but from a distance.

In Christ God breaks down this separation.

Today we can experience God’s presence through the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.

Interesting- Joshua would linger behind in the tent.

Joshua was the man God was preparing to take over.

Ex 33:12-18

Moses makes three requests of God …

1. Let me know your ways

2. Let me experience your presence

3. Let me see your glory

Look at these three requests in some detail …

1. Let me know your ways (v13)

John Paul Jackson- we ask God to send His presence and glory, but do not pray much to know His ways.

Knowing the ways of God opens the door for us to experience His presence and glory.

Sometimes we want the benefits of God w/o the cost.

Moses recognized that he needed to know/walk in the ways of God to fully enjoy His grace/favor.

Paul was asking God for the same thing as Moses …

Phil 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, NASU

Or Philip … Jn 14:8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."

This should be the cry of every human heart.

To desire to know the ways of God is to desire His guidance/direction/purpose for our lives.

The closer we draw to God the more we will feel the need to be led by His HS.

Hos 6:3 Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." NLT

If we follow the ways of God we will not lack anything we need to do/be what He calls us to.

Lk 22:35 And He said to them, "When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" They said, "No, nothing." NASU

2. Let me experience your presence

Moses knew he could not make it on his own- he knew he needed the presence of God.

Moses sought God’s presence- not for His personal edification/enjoyment- but in the middle of seeking

His help to fulfill- commission God gave him.

What does this mean … someone once said …