Exodus 33:1-4 (ESV): “1 The Lord said to Moses, ‘Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “To your offspring I will give it.” 2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.’ 4 When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments.”
It is time to move on from MT Sinai but before we do let’s review a little. There, God’s glorious presence appeared to them and spoke from the mountain, there He gave promises to dwell among them, there, He gave them the law to live by, there He glorified their leader Moses, he gave detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and the priesthood, and there they made an idol. When we list it like this it draws a collective “wow” from us. How could they forget so soon? How could they rebel so strongly? How could they reject God so quickly? Because they’re stiff-necked! Stubborn! But wait…..before we judge too harshly we should examine ourselves. Are we not stubborn and obstinate? We too have serious flaws and faults that motivate us to sin against God. So how do we go forward when we fail? Through the correcting hand of our Father, that’s how. Repentance and reconciliation. Thank the dear Lord that “When we falter, God gently corrects us” (Hebrews 12:6) “When we stumble, God catches us” (Psalm 37:23-24), and “When anxiety creeps in, God, in His comforting presence, reassures our fears” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Seeking God’s Presence through Repentance
God’s Promise and Conditional Presence:
God promises an angelic guide to lead the Israelites to the promised land, but His presence is conditional on repentance. Seeking God’s presence involves acknowledging conditions and finding comfort in times of fear (Exodus 33:14, Isaiah 41:10). We search our hearts and confess our sins as God reveals them. Then we turn from them. God will respond with His blessed presence in our lives.
Our Response to Correction:
Responding to correction involves mourning, obedience, and removing distractions in repentance. Sincere repentance responds to God’s conditions and strips away worldly distractions (Joel 2:13, Hebrews 12:11)
Trusting in the Lord:
God’s reaffirming His promises to them (Ex 32:1-2) reminds us that God eternally keeps His word. Our behavior, no matter how bad, does not change what He promised. His plan will be carried out. We will reach the destination that He determined for us. The question is “How will we get there?” How scarred will we be? How hard is our trip going to be? Disobedience brings damage. If you trust in Jesus as your savior you are being conformed to His image. Think for a moment about His image. His image on the cross. Bruised for our iniquities, beaten for our healing, bloody for our salvation. Naked and ashamed and forsaken. That’s what sin does! That was the consequence of sin. Sin scars. The Israelites we study today will not make it over the Jordan. The consequence of their stubborn behavior is wandering in the wilderness and God; presence will not abide in sin. When we choose to sin we forfeit the privilege to enjoy His presence. Will we be saved so as by fire or will we repent and trust Him? There are exceeding and precious promises for those who love Him and His abiding presence is the greatest of these.
Acknowledging God in All Our Ways:
Acknowledging God in every facet of life promises divine direction. Seeking God’s guidance and aligning paths with His will underlie our call to deny ourselves and follow Him (Proverbs 3:6).
Avoiding Self-Reliance and Arrogance:
Caution against self-reliance and arrogance emphasizes the importance of humility and turning away from paths of pride and evil (Proverbs 3:7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Humility and Submission:
Stubbornness leads to the loss of God’s abiding presence. Humility, defined by Christ’s example, involves valuing others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3, Proverbs 3:7).
As we navigate our journeys, the harmonious symphony of wisdom from Exodus 33:1-6, Proverbs 3:5-7, and their New Testament parallels resounds within us. “When we fail, God corrects us” (Hebrews 12:6). “When we fall, God catches us” (Psalm 37:23-24). “And when anxiety creeps in, God, in His comforting presence, reassures our fears” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Let us heed the personal call to trust, acknowledge, and turn away from evil, finding solace in the enduring wisdom that spans the pages of our own stories.
