Exodus 33:12–23 “Because of Love”

Exodus 33:12-23 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Israel & New Breed – Your Presence Is Heaven
• Bethel Music – Reckless Love
• Elevation Worship – Here Again

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God Is Always With Me | Bible Lesson for Kids | God’s Presence & Protection
• You Are My All In All | Kids Worship – Song for Kids
• Priceless Treasure | Treasured VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• L O V E, Love – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The conversation between Moses and God continues in the tent of meeting, which is set up outside the camp. Earlier, God had said, “I will send an angel before you to lead you” (v. 2), but Moses not only doesn’t know who this person is, he also expresses that he does not want to be led by anyone other than God Himself (v. 12). He reminds God of the grace He has shown to him and of the fact that He has chosen the Israelites as His people and pleads with God to change His mind (v. 13).

In response to Moses’ plea, the Lord says, “My Presence will go with you” (v. 14). Moses then begs God not to send them up if He will not go with them (v. 15). Without the Lord’s presence, the Israelites would lose their “distinctiveness” (v. 16), and there would be no purpose in going up to the land of Canaan. God once again affirms that He will go with them (v. 17).

Taking the opportunity, Moses asks to see the “glory of the Lord” (v. 18). Although he has shared close fellowship with God since encountering Him in the burning bush on Mount Horeb, Moses has never actually seen God’s form. God replies that He will let all His goodness pass in front of Moses (v. 19), but says, “But you cannot see My face” (v. 20). To “see the face” means to witness the full manifestation of God’s presence. As a created being, a human can’t withstand the full presence of God. Just as the human eye cannot look directly at the sun, the human heart cannot endure the direct sight of God’s glory.

God tells Moses to stand on a rock (v. 21). As His glory passes by, God promises to place Moses in the cleft of the rock and cover him with His hand so that he will not perish (v. 22). After that, God will remove His hand, and Moses will be able to see His back (v. 23). The phrases “God’s hand” and “God’s back” are metaphors using human imagery to describe God. Jesus also referred to the Holy Spirit as the “finger of God” (Luke 11:20). To “see God’s back” means to see God’s glory indirectly or partially.

Meditation:

Moses earnestly tries to soften God’s hardened heart. He believes that for the Israelites to go up to Canaan without God is utterly meaningless. In order to turn God’s heart, Moses reminds Him of His affection for him and His choice of the Israelites as His people. Moses pleads with God not to send them up at all if He Himself will not go with them. In essence, he is saying it would be better to die in the wilderness of Sinai than to move forward without God. In response to that desperate plea, God changes His mind.

We know that God is eternal and unchanging. Yet when we read the events from chapter 32 to chapter 33, it may seem God shifts from one stance to another depending on the situation. He might even appear like a stubborn old man who has lost his discernment and is acting on impulse. However, His words and actions can be understood if we imagine the heart of a parent dealing with a misbehaving child. Because of love, a parent struggles to lead the child gently down the right path, often bending to the child’s emotional state. In human relationships, the one who loves more is often the one who becomes vulnerable. Likewise, God wrestles and struggles because of His love for the Israelites. Yet through all these ups and downs, He ultimately leads His people down the path of love.

If we see things rightly, the Creator of the universe—God—is, in every sense, the absolute authority (“Gap,” the one in power) over us humans. Yet He chooses to act toward us as if He were in the lower position (“Eul,” the one without power). It is because of love. Just as a grandfather becomes entirely vulnerable for his immature granddaughter, God becomes like “Eul” before our ever-changing hearts, struggling and bending for our sake. It’s hard to believe, but this is the very truth the cross reveals.

Prayer:

Lord, it is hard to believe that You would struggle over people like us. We are completely unworthy of receiving Your love. And yet, because of that love, we raise both hands in surrender. We have no merit of our own, but Your love for us gives us absolute worth. Oh Lord, thank You. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even though God is the highest and greatest, He stays close to us, listens to our prayers, and even changes His plans—all because He loves us so much.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Why do you think Moses didn’t want to go anywhere without God?
  • How do you feel knowing God listens when you talk to Him?
  • Can you think of a time someone showed you love even when you didn’t earn it?
    
• For Youth
  • What does it mean to you that the Creator of the universe acts like a servant because of His love for us?
  • Moses asked to see God’s glory but could only see a part of it. Why do you think that is?
  • How does knowing God’s love is not based on our worth change how you see yourself and others?