Exodus 33

Have you ever done something that you should not have and you got in trouble for it? When you first get into trouble it seems as though you will never get past that point. The whole world is crashing on you and your big mistake. Once you move past that initial shock it is time to move past it. It is time for Israel to move past their issue. We will see that they will literally move from the Sinai area and into the promise land (or at least try). It is cool to see God’s grace because he could have said, “You guys will not get into the Promise Land, because you messed up.” Instead he gives them another chance. The only problem is that God cannot go before them because he would consume them, instead now an angel will lead the way. All of Israel took this to heart and started to mourn. Separation from God is the ultimate punishment. Israel knew this and they knew they needed God but now they see the consequence of their sin . 

Moses was Lucky

We see that Moses had a tent that he went to meet with God on a regular basis. This tent was outside the camp and Moses would enter and the pillar of cloud would descend at the entrance. In verse 11 shares about how the relationship between Moses and God was. It says, “The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friends. As we read later in the section that no man could see God’s face and live so Moses did not see God’s face, but we know that Moses was able to talk with God. No man during this time was able to speak to God like Moses was able to, if they did they would die.  

Not only was Moses able to speak to God, he actually was able to see the backside of God. There are no words to describe what this must have been like but Moses was able to have favor in the eyes of God. Only a few other men in the Old Testament were able to do this, Isaiah (Isaiah 6) and Ezekiel (1:28). Moses was a man of prayer and talked with God and was confident that God would listen to his requests. The amazement that must have been seen by Moses was something that would never leave his mind. He was truly a blessed man to be used by God but to have that type of relationship with him. 

Moses was able to have a chance to talk with God. He was able to be close and personal with the Almighty. We have this opportunity now too. It is true, we do not deserve it, we are unworthy but those who are a child of God can. I am a child of God because I have been forgiven of my sin and now am considered righteous. Hebrews 20:19 tells us that we can have confidence to approach God. God knows us by name, like he knew Moses. God cares about us (1st Peter 5:7). I am so thankful that I can approach my God. I encourage everyone to be able to do the same thing