Exodus 33 – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
There on Sinai Moses sat again, listening for the word of The LORD.
Moses: God’s chosen leader to bring about one of the most miraculous events in history—the great exodus of the Hebrews out of Egypt.
He was God’s anointed leader to reveal His covenant and law on Mt. Sinai to the Israelites.
He was God’s chosen shepherd to safely guide His people to the Promised Land of Canaan.
Moses found himself on an incredible and unexpected adventure —one in which God Himself initiated. Like an unsuspecting hobbit minding his own business in the Shire, Moses seemed content with his new life in Midian.
Decades after killing the Egyptian man and fleeing, he found himself married and quietly shepherding his father in law’s sheep.
After running from his past, it seemed like things were all worked out for Moses. Like Bilbo Baggins, he planned to quietly live out the rest of his days in obscurity.
It was a fine little plan…until God showed up.
On a quiet night in Midian a burning bush was set ablaze. God’s manifest presence and glory revealed, as He called Moses by name. Moses couldn’t look away. Even after trying to disqualify himself, Moses realized Gods’ glory and ways were bigger than his weakness.
He had to respond! Although it was an imperfect response—you’ll remember Moses made excuses and tried to disqualify himself—God’s plans and purposes prevailed.
Let’s get a few things straight:
First of all, we know that God didn’t need Moses to accomplish all that was in God’s heart. He’s the King of Heaven and does not need anything or any counsel from any man (Romans 11:33-36). His plans and purposes always prevail!
Knowing this reality makes the second truth even more wonderful:
Our Mighty God chooses to invite His children into relationship; into intimacy; into partnership with bringing His purposes about on the earth.
Though He didn’t need Moses’ help, He chose Moses to lead His people.
And though He doesn’t need our help or effort, He wants to partner with us.
The delightful theme of the Scriptures is that God continually chooses His people—and from relationship—invites them to participate in bringing about His purposes on earth.
Now, as missionaries, we might all give a silent nod of affirmation to these words above. If we’ve heard this message once, we’ve heard it one hundred times…right?
After all, haven’t we all left jobs, homes, relationships and comforts to partner with God?
Most of us could teach (and probably have taught) this very same thing!
But sometimes the most simple ideas are the easiest to blow past. And the purest truths are seemingly relegated to kindergarten status in our minds.
“I know, I know…I’m God’s beloved kid and He wants me to do stuff for Him…now when can I get on to the big Kingdom truths like miracles, revival and prophesying over stadiums of people? After all, I have ministry to do here!”
In our zeal, we can run out the door and forget the foundation of deep, loving relationship with Him.
Or in our weariness and brokenness (like Moses) we can tend to disqualify ourselves by bringing up our past. In our brokenness, we close the door and forget to expect to see the goodness of God passing before us.
Or somewhere in the middle, we just get busy. We fall into a rut of ministry and a rut of life; it can even become transactional for the most part.
We can live this way and even minister in this way for extended periods of time, going through the motions or getting by on raw talent and will.
Although God is kind and bears some fruit through us in those seasons, they’re often the most draining on the soul. They are often the busiest in labor, yet fail to produce long-lasting fruit for the laborer or those they’re serving. Plus, where is the joy and the fun in all of that?
You may find yourself in any one of those places currently. And if you have any gray hair, you’ve probably lived in a combination of those places more than you care to admit. I know I have…more than once! ☺
As laborers in God’s Kingdom, it’s important to know how to reset when we find ourselves in these places.
Like I said earlier, the answer is quite simple. It’s so simple that it’s easy to gloss over and skip to the end (especially when the blog is getting too long…ahem!).
The recipe for a reset is found some chapters after the burning bush encounter. After God initiates and invites Moses into partnership. After the excitement has faded and been replaced with stressors, challenges and a stiff-necked people!
As you read this exchange between God and Moses, take a deep breath. Don’t rush.
Read it again..and then again quietly.
Enjoy entering into this story and note a few things:
- Moses’ genuine request and response during this conversation.
- God’s promise and desire to reveal both His glory and goodness to Moses!
Exodus 33
12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
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. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Wherever you find yourself in this “season” of life and ministry—or wherever you have been or will be—my deep encouragement to you is to come back to this passage consistently for perspective, rest and refreshment.
And when you’re ready to dash to the next “thing”…stay a little longer.
Slow down. Pray. Breathe. Enter in to what He is saying and revealing to you.
Whether you’re raising kids at home or delivering a nation from an emperor, remember the simplicity of the Scriptures.
Remember that for God, it’s all about relationship between you and Him. Remember to rest. Remember to breathe and look for His Goodness to pass before you.
Then smile and do it all over again.
Look up, grab His hand and enjoy walking with your Father.
Remember to enjoy His relationship.
Written by Byron & Haylee Rogers.
