moses and the presence of god

Thus, there was a lingering disappointment and bewilderment among the disciples, as can be seen by Peter’s decision to “go fishing” (John 21:3ff.). Moses understood the presence of God to be the ultimate factor that distinguished God’s chosen people from the rest of the people on the face of the earth. God was so angered by their reveling and immorality that He threatened to wipe the entire nation out, replacing it with a new nation from the offspring of Moses (Exod. away from the Lord into sin. Moses not only desired the abiding presence of the Lord to be with Israel, but he coveted a personal knowledge of the presence of the Lord. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then Moses said to him, "If your presence is not going [with us], don't make us leave this place. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear not evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Does debt affect giving in modern times in light of the Israelite tithe and slaves. Father in heaven. One of the key things that made Moses different is that he was not constantly looking for the hand of God only. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. Consider too, that this nation is Thy people” (v. 13). No matter what the pressure or the embarrassment – he was happy to wait for God. What does it tell us This is the height of Israel’s hope in the Old Testament. How quickly people turn The same command has been reiterated as recently as chapter 32, verse 34: “But go now, lead the people where I told you.”. Moses knew it was God's presence in Israel that set the people apart from all other nations. When he came down from the mountain, Moses' face Therefore, he asked to personally experience God’s presence. Sin. This he will do in verse 13. He lay prostrate before the Lord. The bush kept burning because of God’s miraculous presence! The story of Moses is one marked by powerful encounters with the presence of God. Rom. Thus, the presence of God can be more intimately ours than it has ever been before. The first request was more personal, the second, more public or collective in nature. 1. Now he wants to see the fullness of God’s beauty and greatness. Gen.19:29. The section then ends with God’s response. This is indicated by the term “rest” as it is used here and elsewhere in the Old Testament: “When you cross the Jordan and live in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies around you so that you live in security, then it shall come about that the place in which the LORD your God shall choose for His name to dwell, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution of your hand, and all your choice votive offerings which you will vow to the LORD” (Deut. God assured Moses that He would be personally present with him as he led the Israelites to Canaan. Back in Exodus 20, we saw the entire people of Israel turn down the opportunity to draw near and hear the Lord, so only Moses drew near to where God was (Exodus 20:21). 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. It is J. I. Packer who has stated this perhaps more clearly than any other writer since the New Testament was written: What is the essence, heart, and core of the Spirit’s work today? Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Moses was in the Presence of the Glory of God . Isa. Isa. In Moses’ petition in verses 15 and 16, he sought for this assurance for the nation. with him. God has assured Moses that He will not only be present with him personally, but He will also be with His people, Israel. Moses has not yet asked for anything specific. Ever since the Israelites chose to worship a golden calf rather than God, God has referred to this people as Moses’ people: “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, ‘Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves’” (Exod. Moses didn’t just WANT God’s blessing and favor for himself and for the children of Israel. precious time with our God. God’s refusal to go personally with Israel into the Promised Land stemmed from their persistent grumbling and their quickly turning from Him to worship the golden calf. Those involved in Korah’s rebellion died when the earth swallowed them alive (Num. When That he desires to know God’s character, as reflected in His way of doing things. But . Thus, the apostle John could write. God’s presence, he petitions, must not only be with him, but with them also. In chapter 33, God clarifies the brief statement of 32:34, instructing Moses to leave the mountain and to take Israel on toward Canaan. go into the valley, or into sin. Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest” (Ps. God explained that he had seen how miserable his chosen people, the Hebrews, were in Egypt, where they were being held as slaves. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Thy sight, I and Thy people? There are many applications of this passage,101but since this is Easter Sunday, I want to focus on the presence of God as it relates to the coming, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. He proved this with Moses (burning bush) and Aaron (budding staff). There are many applications of this passage,101 but since this is Easter Sunday, I want to focus on the presence of God as it relates to the coming, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. God offered something better than guidance; he promised to be their Guide. Even then, Moses would only get a glance. Such has been the case. intercession. The term “angel,” as one of our body reminded me last week, is a generic term, meaning “messenger.” Thus, when we read the term “angel” we should not allow ourselves to think in a stereotyped fashion, of a female appearing creature in a gleaming white robe and having wings. 23:1). Moses understands so well that in the end, the only thing that matters, the only thing that makes God's people different from all the rest, is the presence of God with them. The One in whom God was present was gone. Thus, a permanent provision for sin has been accomplished, and men may dwell forever in God’s presence. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Without God’s presence, we’re lost. It is only in Christ that the presence of God in the midst of men is provided. Sinai almost ended in total destruction of the nation, due to their worship of the golden calf. 20:6; see Exod 19:9, 16; 33:9–10; Num 9:15). The same is true of God’s people today. Moses went over to the burning bush to investigate, and the voice of God called to him. There are basically three sections: verses 12-14, 15-17, and 18-23. The mediation of Moses has thus far “persuaded” God to relent from His threatened extermination of the entire population of the Israelites. He proved this with Elijah in a variety of ways (1 Kings 19:9-18). Moses Desired the Presence of God. represent? The Law provided a temporary provision for man’s sin, so that God could dwell among them in their midst, in the Tabernacle. At this word, the Israelites repented, putting off their gold ornaments as God had instructed them through Moses (vss. Is it not by Thy going with us so that we, I and Thy people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” (v. 16). . 16:31-33). “For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. When my heart was embittered, And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee. This is mirrored in my collie dog Gemma. But first he will lay a more substantial foundation for his request. The ten spies who brought back a negative report on the land died in a plague (Num. Let us listen well to these majestic words of Moses, the mediator. Moses now is even more aware of the rebelliousness and waywardness of the Israelites. The ministry of intercession is not He makes me lie down in green pastures; He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 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