Moses was gone a long time, forty days and nights in fact. That's a long time, right? How long is too long to wait on the Lord's instructions for our future? Apparently the Israelites thought it had been long enough. They were ready to move on with the program, for things to start happening and Moses was just taking too long so they decided to get things started themselves.
Typical, isn't? Speaking for myself, looking closely at the Israelites is like looking in a mirror. God mightily delivers me from an area of bondage. I see the wonders of His power and experience His magnificent provision only to wait on the next step of my freedom. Wait. Who likes to wait? Nobody. We live in a drive-through society where we want it our way and we want it yesterday. How sad for us that we can't pause in the middle of the exit and savor the moment. Do we really want to see the glory of the Lord or do we just want to be rescued from our present state?
On this side of the story the golden calf scene was unbelievable. The scene after Moses returns to camp was inconceivable. The bottom line lesson is that we can't get head of God's plan for our lives. It never, let me stress never works. They came close to losing the guiding presence of the Lord for the remainder of their journey. (How scary is that?)
After Moses' pleading on their behalf the Lord agreed to stay with them on their journey. However, he laid down some requirements on their part. (All spelled out in chapter 34) Two statements cover them all. It is easy to remember two statements. Even my 40+ year brain can remember them. If we want to remain in the glory of the Lord (Matthew Henry referred to this state as the "Presence Chamber." Camp out on that for a moment.) we need to:
P.S.S. By the time you read this, you will have already been prayed for. Blessing sweet sisters!
On this side of the story the golden calf scene was unbelievable. The scene after Moses returns to camp was inconceivable. The bottom line lesson is that we can't get head of God's plan for our lives. It never, let me stress never works. They came close to losing the guiding presence of the Lord for the remainder of their journey. (How scary is that?)
After Moses' pleading on their behalf the Lord agreed to stay with them on their journey. However, he laid down some requirements on their part. (All spelled out in chapter 34) Two statements cover them all. It is easy to remember two statements. Even my 40+ year brain can remember them. If we want to remain in the glory of the Lord (Matthew Henry referred to this state as the "Presence Chamber." Camp out on that for a moment.) we need to:
- Obey all the commands of the Lord.
- Worship no other gods.
I want to spend my life in the Presence Chamber worshiping the one true God and delightfully obeying all that asks me to do. I get holy goose bumps just thinking about a life like that.
I will close with the words of Moses: (Exodus 32:26b)
P.S. Did you notice the subtle presence of Joshua? (32:17,33:11) He is emerging as a leader right before our eyes.I will close with the words of Moses: (Exodus 32:26b)
So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, “All of you who are on the LORD’s side, come here and join me.”
Question of the day: Whose side are you on?
Question of the day: Whose side are you on?
P.S.S. By the time you read this, you will have already been prayed for. Blessing sweet sisters!
13 Comments:
Wendy, your post is wonderful and so much was going through my mind as I read it...but then I was totally overwhelmed when I read your PSS. There is no greater gift than being prayed for - and knowing you've been prayed for is an amazing blessing. THANK YOU!
I too noticed all the points you highlighted. Exodus 32:8 grabbed my attention: "How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live." *ouch* I was thinking back to some Sunday messages I have heard; some Bible studies I have done; a fresh committment in the morning while reading His Word. His truth comes with such power and I think - O Lord, I'm going to follow You here on this one - You've spoken - I've seen You - I'm going to follow You all the way, and then only days later I have forgotten and failed, the passion has waned and that fresh following has been abandoned. Why? Good question. What is it that takes that desire to follow everything that God has commanded and live in that "Presence Chamber", that takes that delight of obeying and those "holy goose bumps" and we lose that longing? The passion of the moment turns into the passivity of the day. I hate that!
Anyway, I'm going to write today about "Somebody's Eyes" and Moses seeing God "face to face".
Praying for you too my friend. Having this accountability daily is one way to keep good intention from being the reality and keep my committment to obey here consistant. Thank you so much - this is holding me to daily spending time in God's Word. Again, no greater gift.
Love & PRAYERS,
Joy
Wendy,
Good Word. I like the Presence Chamber. There was a time when I would look at these people and think how could they. But God has shown me how to examine my own life to make sure their are not false gods and idols that I put before Him and His instructions for my life. His omnipresence is amazing, His word is for today as much as it was for then. We may not struggle with "Golden Calves" but as fast as the media can get things out we have plenty of distractions that can draw us away from fellowship.
I agree with Joy - Thanks for your prayers and I also pray for you and the rest of us as we journey through God's word.
I am so enjoying this!
Lynn
PS Yes I did notice Joshua and it's funny I thought the same thing, he's being introduced... :)
How easy for us to look at the Israelites and say, "How quickly they have turned away.." I want so badly to never loose sight of God and I want to be in the "Presence Chamber," I-love that! The passion I have today, I want to remain with me. It's an everyday commitment. Waking up and saying, "LORD, today I follow you. I want to be in YOUR presence today. I want to obey YOU. Help me listen to your whispers. Help me to worship YOU, and YOU alone."
Wendy, thank you for your prayers. I continue to pray for you and all of the sisters as we go through this journey together. I love our Bible Study. It keeps me close to God as I ponder HIS words throughout the day. I love reading everyone's comments too. They really help me understand HIS Word more deeply. Thank you everyone!
Lori
Mesa, AZ
Just want to thank you.... I to was totally overwelmed by the PSS. Your words always contain so many nuggets of truth and speak to my heart. Sold out for Jesus is the only way I want to live... And the Presence Chamber... what a wonderful visual...BLESSINGS.
Kathy
Redmond, OR
Me too, me too!
My eyes filled with happy tears when I read your PSS, Wendy, it produced a warm smile deep in my belly. Now that's comfort!!
I came here to respond (even tho I am running late) and find I am not the only one your words touched today. Why am I so amazed??? God is truly using you, Wendy, to bless us all. And all the sisters say Amen!!
My tears flowed freely this morning during the dialogue between God and Moses Ex33:14-19. I felt God was speaking directly to me...and I needed to hear those words!! What a blessing, and how amazing to me that every day of this study we are each brought blessing which speaks into our specific situations.
Singing glory to our amazing God,
Liz
Alaska
Wendy,
Thank you for your post today! I agree with all that has been said here and I am thankful for everyone’s prayers. You also have been prayed for! Thank you so much for your leadership and your insight each morning!
I found myself underlining all the ways that God is personal to Moses today. Twice he wrote the Testament with His own finger (Ex. 31:18 and 32:29, Ex. 34:28); He looks upon Moses with favor, He knows him by name (Ex. 33:12-13); He will do as Moses asks because He looks upon Moses with favor and knows him by name (Ex. 33:17); He allows Moses to see Him, but not His face (Ex. 33:19-23); He met with Moses daily in the Tent of Meeting and talked with him (Ex. 34:34). I marvel at how close the LORD was to Moses his servant. Even though Moses was reluctant to lead the people at first; even though Moses was afraid; even though Moses murdered an innocent man; God still forged a close and personal relationship with him. God can use anyone to fulfill His purpose. That is a very comforting thought for me.
I also was struck by two other things. Did you notice Aaron's response to Moses about the calf? "When they brought it [the gold] to me, I simply threw it into the fire - and out came a calf!" I laughed out loud. It sounded like some of the responses my kids made to me when I caught them doing something they weren't supposed to. I wonder how many times my responses to God sound just like that. “I just threw (whatever) into the fire and suddenly, out came (my idol)! Imagine that!”
The second thing I was struck by was when Moses asked for those on the Lord's side to join him, only the Levites gathered around him... Can someone comment on that? What about the other tribes of Israel? That bothered me a lot.
Thanks again for this rich discussion! Thank you so much Wendy for taking on this ministry! We are truly blessed because of you!
Karen, CA
This is my first online bible study and I am having a blast!!! It helps me to schedule time in my day to read the Word.
Wendy and others, thank you for all your prayers and comments.
The Presence Chamber is an awesome thought. It makes my heart long for the changing of these fleshly garments when we will be changed from mortal to immortality. No more distractions for time alone with Jesus, we will be able to sit at his feet and worship him for eternity.
Verse 33:11 - In the Tent of the Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. I want to be a Friend of God, don't you?
Debbie - North Carolina
Oh yea........I'm definitely on the Lord's side!!!
Yes Debbie, I want to be a friend of God's. I want others to know I have been in His presence by the "glow" on face. Oh, how I long for that!
Thank you Wendy for your great blog today! I enjoyed everyone's "nuggets" too. Thank you all for sharing and for praying.
I like Karen, noticed Aaron's response or "lie" to Moses about where the golden calf came from. Just like a little kid would answer.
We think the idols they had in Bible times were so strange; but no stranger than the ones we have today. If they could look into the future and see our idols, they would scratch their heads too.
Lord, please show each one of us today what our idols are. Help us to make you the center of our lives.
Amen!
My sister brought her laptop so I'm able to do some blog catch up, although I have been doing my daily readings as well :) I confess that I wasn't sure about the commitment of this study, but reading the Bible this way has revealed so many precious nuggets that I've missed. Sometimes when we dig for buried treasure, we find it and don't even bother to dig any further...
I loved that Moses had a holy glow about him! Reminds me of a woman who approached me after a worship service. She said, "I love watching you sign the music, you are so beautiful... I don't mean you're beautiful, but watching the joy on your face when you worship is beautiful." Hmmm... I may be part of a praise team, but God keeps me humble!! LOL
When we do our service for the Lord, He is reflected in us. The Bible tells us not to hide our light, but allow it to be a beacon that draws others to the Light.
It's kind of sad that Moses had to put a veil over his face because it frightened some of the Israelites...I say they didn't like having their sinful nature exposed by that holy glow.
Sisters, thanks for your prayers. I was able to share with my dad, although he is very weak and doesn't say much. He tends to mull it over in his mind, and I pray he is receptive to the message. Dad is not doing the surgery, and has been moved to Palliative Care for end of life care. The doctor asked him if he was at peace with his decision - and my dad's response was, "I am more at peace than I have been in a long time." I pray that peace is the One that surpasses all understanding!
Okay, I am now crying over December Rose's comments and all of yours.
The one thing that stands out is how Moses' face glowed after spending time in the presence of the Lord, and he didn't even realize it.
Oh that my life would be one where my face glows, and I am so used to God's presence that I unknowingly point others to Him.
Love it Wendy! I did notice Joshua and went back to reread his entrance...you're right, right before our eyes!
I also love how Moses had to cover his face and (thanks December Rose) had never stopped to contemplate why he did or what if he didn't wear the veil...hmmm.
Well the two things that I stood out for me were just how impatient those people of Israel were! It almost made me say out loud "What in the world are you thinking!" The Lord quickly brought to mind how impatient I am when I am in need of answers. (Yes, Lord I get it!)
The second thing that made me actually giggle was how fast Aaron through everyone else "under the bus" so to say. Many times its never "our fault" always everyone else.
December Rose,
Please know that although we do not know each other personally I have been praying for you and your father. I pray that the time you have left with him brings about a joy and peace that only God can fill. I have also been praying that your father is receptive and opens his heart to Jesus. We never know what goes on the inside a mans heart. I know God will provide for you and your family.
Thanks Wendy, for keeping us accountable with this challenge...I could never thank you enough!
Blessings sweet sista's!
Julie
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