Day 41 – Exodus 33-35

Talking Points

• God sends the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land. He promises He will deliver them; however, it will be through the hand of an angel, because He will not travel with them. He calls them an “obstinate” people and says that He would likely destroy them if He were to go with them. He is exasperated with His people (33:5).
• Obstinate is literally “stiff-necked.” They are unbending, unwilling to be shaped, unwilling to submit.
• Moses has a special relationship with God. In the tent of meeting, God talks to Moses “as a man speaks to his friend” (33:11). Moses wants to know God even more than he does. He tells God he does not want to move if God will not go with them. Moses intercedes for the people.
• God renews His covenant that the people had broken. We see that in practice, He truly is patient, kind, and slow to anger. More than merciful to the people in holding back their consequences, He is also gracious to them, again promising His presence.
• Maybe it is hard to keep the perspective that this is a literal, actual account as we read that Moses glowed after meeting with God. Moses actually glowed! Perhaps we are quick to overlook the supernatural, awesome power of God. Think about that. This man Moses, after seeing God’s glory, glowed. Honestly, how could he not?!

Thoughts

Am I an obstinate person? As I read this account, honestly almost scoffing at these people for their fickle responses and their easy forgetfulness, I begin to wonder, “Could this be said of me?”

Do I like God’s way as long as it matches mine? Do I listen with the intent of quickly responding in faith, or of building a case for the actions I have chosen. Am I an obstinate, stiff-necked person?

Without going into great detail of my (maybe embarrassing) answer, the reality is if I don’t want to be obstinate, then I don’t have to be!

God’s way is best. He is infinitely wise. I can and should trust Him and do it more quickly. Dear Lord, make me quick to hear, willing to be shaped, and anything but an obstinate person.