Exodus 33:7-23

Exodus 33:7-23

The next section of Exodus 33 shows a very real, personal experience. It shows the relationship that Moses had with the Lord. God would meet with Moses in the tent of meeting, “as a man speaks to his friend.” Despite the times that Moses had messed up in his life, and despite the mistakes that he would make later on, there was a very close relationship between God and Moses. Furthermore, it was obvious to all of the Israelites. They saw Moses meet with God, and they too worshipped God when Moses would enter the ten. Also it appears as if Joshua desired a similar relationship with God after seeing his mentor Moses meet so personally with Him. As Christians we can have this same type of experience with God. He offers us the gift of salvation, and part of that is having that personal relationship with Him. But in that, our lives should also reflect Him in such a way that others take notice. Our relationship with God should cause others to desire to draw close to and worship God as well.

At the beginning of Exodus 33, God had told the Israelites that He would not be going with them on the next leg of their journey. Instead, He would send one of His angels to show them the correct path. The people were rightfully disappointed, realizing that their stubbornness and sin was the reason that God was making this decision. But now at the end of this chapter, Moses is pleading with the Lord to go with them. He tells God that he does not want to go anywhere without Him. If God is not going to be leading the way, then Moses wants no part in it. Furthermore, Moses wonders how people will know God’s true power if He is not the one exhibiting His power through an instance such as this. This situation is similar to when they had first escaped Egypt and Moses requested that God not kill the Israelites as to not hinder His glory. Moses wanted God’s name and reputation to be known throughout the entire land. He did not want God to be a fading thought in the corner of people’s minds; rather, he wanted everyone to know that Israel’s success was all because of the Lord.

So God once again agreed with Moses and promised him that He would continue to be with them on their journey. Moses then made one more request of God, asking to see His glory. God made it clear to Moses that anyone who looks upon God will die. God is so great, that our human bodies cannot physically take in all that He is. He is so perfect, that our minds cannot understand Him. God knew that Moses could not look upon Him and live, so He formed a plan that would allow Moses to see His back only. How bold of a request is this that Moses makes? It almost seems to be a ridiculous quest. I do not think that I feel close enough to God to even think about making such a request, but that is where I find that I am at fault. Why don’t I feel that close to God? The relationship that Moses had with the Lord was amazing. He walked with God daily, met with God, requested many things of God, and God listened carefully, even granting many of Moses’ requests. Moses’ life was completely focused on God, and for the most part, he did not allow any of life’s distractions to interfere with their relationship. Really this request should not seem that ridiculous. Yes we need to have a healthy fear of the Lord, but we should also have such a relationship with the Lord that we are not afraid to ask Him for anything, as long as it does not contradict His commands. Moses’ relationship with God is a great model for how our lives should look.

Matt