Read Exodus 33:1-23.
Having left Egypt Israel had come to Mt. Sinai
where Moses received the Law and the plans for the tabernacle. The people grew tired of waiting for Moses to
return from the mountain and so made a golden calf which they worshiped in
contradiction to the Law. God's anger would have destroyed them had it not been
for Moses' intercession (32:11-14). As
it was, 3000 were slain.
Now God has told Moses to continue the journey (v1). Moses' answer (v15) is that he will not go
without God. He dared to say
"no" to God! It is because
Moses had a passion for God.
ƒ The
loss of God's presence, vs.3-5.
The people had become corrupted (32:7), had turned aside
and worshiped the calf (32:8). They were stiff-necked (33:5). Moses moved the tabernacle outside the
camp. The camp was disowned as the
place of the Divine presence. While God
had not completely forsaken Israel
(v2) He was not in their midst (v3).
ƒ The
recovery of God's presence, vs5-7.
They first put off (v5) the ornaments which had contributed
to their sin. Then all who sought the
Lord went unto the tabernacle (v7).
There was Moses in the place of intercession (v7-17).
We too must be stripped of all that pertains to the self
ere we be clothed with that which pertains to God. We must put off the old man (Col. 3:8-9), lay
aside the weights and sins (Heb. 12:1).
ƒ The
need of God's presence, v15.
If Thy presence go not with us - carry us not up.
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that
build it. Psa. 127:1.
Without me you can do nothing. Jn. 15:5.
We are powerless without the presence of God. If God's presence is not with us we better
not teach a class, sing in the choir, witness for Him, etc.
Sun of my soul Thou Savior Dear
It is not night if Thou be near,
O may no earth-born cloud arise,
To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes.
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