Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33.12-33

Scripture

“But if you go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.”

Observation

Moses asks the Lord who his assistant is to be and what His plan for the people is. The Lord replies, “I will go with you and give you peace.”

Then Moses replies, “I’m not going anywhere unless you go with us. If you do go with us we will be different to every other people.” The Lord says He will do this.

Moses asks to see the Lord’s glory. The Lord hides him in a crack in a rock so that Moses only sees a small part of His glory, otherwise he would die.

Application

The children of Israel are passing through the wilderness on their journey to the Promised Land. The Lord leads them daily by means of a pillar of smoke and fire.

Moses is now saying to the Lord, “You have led us this far; don’t abandon us now because I’m not going anywhere without you.”

Israel was meant to be different from all the other nations. The powerful presence of the Lord directing the nation and individuals would set them apart as holy and righteousness.

Christians have something even more powerful. God with us, God in us, the Holy Spirit directing, leading and encouraging us.

We need to learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit, and to obey the Holy Spirit. The power and character of Jesus need to become evident in our lives so that everyone knows that christians are different from the other people in the world.

Prayer

Lord, teach me how to hear you and obey your voice. Show me how to follow the paths you want me to go down. Amen.