Time for Intimacy
Opening Prayer
Thank the Lord that through Jesus we can have an open relationship with God himself.
Read Exodus 33:12-23
[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.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How do Moses and God negotiate a revelation of divine glory?Moses and the Lord continue their difficult dialogue. Moses has realized that if the Lord is no longer willing to be present with his people, they might as well give up. He is prepared to risk God’s anger to speak up on behalf of the people and to plead their cause, although he is well aware of the extent of their wrongdoing. How relevant do you think it is that Moses has already established a relationship with God? And how does he use what he already understands about the Lord to press home his argument (13,16)? The level of honesty in this exchange between God and a human being gives an indication of the depths of intimacy that God is prepared to allow between himself and his people. Moses seems to have understood this, at least in part (“so I may know you,” 13). But the initiative for this relationship always comes from God, and any limits that he sets are for our own good.
Apply
Have you ever argued with God, and if so, what happened? Thank him for an open and honest relationship.
Closing prayer
I desire to know You better and better, Lord. Reveal all of Yourself to me that I need to know right now.
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