Exodus Chapter 33
The people had been at Mount Sinai for quite some time. God told Moses it was time to move out and head towards the promised land. God was still keeping His promise and giving them the land He had promised despite their disobedience, despite their betrayal. God called the people a stiff-necked people. They were set in their ways and refused to listen and obey to the voice of their God. This prideful, stubborn attitude brought about an announcement from God. God would no longer go with them in their midst. He would send an angel to go before them and to protect them.
This news was devasting to Moses. He knew that he would not succeed unless God were in the midst of them. They needed God! We will see that Moses did what comes naturally to men when they need more of God in their life; he asked God to be near. Moses also realized that for God to draw near the sin in the camp needed to be eradicated. The people needed to get back to worshipping the one true God.
Let's Reflect
1. Why did God say He would not go up with the people to the promised land? Why would He not be travelling with them in their midst as He had previously done?
2. God mentions that He would send His angel to go before them and protect them from the enemies that will attack. How many different people groups are mentioned that God will protect them from?
3. The people had been “celebrating” other gods and had dressed in party attire putting on all of their ornaments. What did God say they needed to do with those ornaments?
4. The Bible said the people were of what emotion when they learned that God would no longer be visible as the pillar of cloud in their midst?
5. Moses knew that the people needed to repent and to be sad about their sin for a while. They needed to get back to the heart of worship – God. What did Moses create just outside the camp where the people would have to walk to, and make a concerted effort to get there?
6. What indication did the people have that Moses was worshipping God and that they should do the same?
7. In verses 12-16 Moses made a bold intercessory prayer to God. What was his prayer?
8. We see that God answered his prayer, yet Moses kept asking for the same thing. I believe that Moses was so desperate to have God be near that he was probably in a state of tears and possibly rocking back and forth begging God for mercy. The favor that Moses asked God for was not for riches or fame. What was the favor that Moses wanted to be blessed with by God?
9. Moses asked something even bolder. What did Moses ask of Godin verse 18?
“This hunger for more of God – for more of an experience with God – is a mark of true revival and restoration of relationship. Whatever Moses had experienced with God, he now wanted more.” [Guzik]
“The more a man knows of God, the more desirous he is to know him.” [Trapp]
10. What did Moses get to see of God with his own eyes?
