Exodus 33: 18-23 Please Show Me Your Glory

 Exodus 33:18-23 NASB  Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!"  (19)  And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion."  (20)  But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"  (21)  Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock;  (22)  and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.  (23)  "Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."

God.  Have you contemplated Him?  Thought deeply about how He looks, how being with Him in close proximity would affect you?  There are so many things about God that stretch our minds and exceed our ability to comprehend.  Though we're made in His likeness, we're so distant in our current state from our creator's glory.

Moses was called by God to lead.  Though reluctant, in  obediece he did lead.  He heard from  God and followed His instruction through the wilderness as they escaped Egypt and transitioned to the promised land.  In the wilderness God called Moses to the top of Mt Sinai to literally lay down the law.  God talked with Moses but hid Himself in a cloud.  As it turns out this was for Moses' own good.  Eventhought Moses was selected specially for the job he was not able to be too close.  After spending a long time (at least 40 days and nights) on the mountain hearing from God all the ways he should instruct the people, Moses made his bold request.  "Please show me your glory" Exo 33:18.

I think Moses expressed a desire many of us have.  Simply said, it is to "Know" God in a greater way than we do at a particular point in time.  Typically (for me anyway) this is in seasons of closeness.  That is, times when I'm intentionally focused on the Lord, His Word, my obedience to Him.  I'm easily distracted and I'm betting I'm not alone.  But in these times I do want to know God in a deeper way and on its face I think that's what Moses wanted to.  So he asked.

And God didn't reject his request but at the same time He didn't give Moses all he had requested for his own good.  "You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live".  What?  Our God who wants us to come to Him then says, but only so close because you'll die?  Yep!  Without going through the whole story, Moses like the rest of us decendents of Adam have within us the stain of sin.  That taints us and makes all of us unable to stand in the presence of the Glory of God.  We would die just as God says Moses would die.  More on that in a minute.

So, God does honor the request but with the appropriate limitations and safeguards necessary to keep Moses safe.  He puts Moses in the cleft of a rock shielded to a degree.  He passes by but puts His hand over Moses location to guard him from seeing too much.  Then as He passes He removes His had to allow Moses a glimpse of His back.  In so doing Moses was afforded a special but partial encounter with God.

As a result Moses literally glowed.  "Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him." Exo 34:29b  That guarded exposure to God made Moses skin glow.

So God gave Moses answer to his request not in full but in part according to what was best.  He does that for us too because He simply knows better.  We're instructed to pray according to His will, but we are limited in our ability and on our best day fall short.

The bigger issue is what can be done about this separation problem.  Why is it neither we nor Moses can stand it his full glory?  How can we connect with God when being fully in his presence would kill us?  Out of mercy, the largest fathomable expression of His grace He sent us His son Jesus.  Jesus cleared the path for us to come fully into God's presence.  He paid the price for us.  We who believe that to be true accepting this grace gift are seen not of Adam's lineage but that of Jesus.  And we will one day see God in his full glory in heaven.  AMEN!

Joshua 10:7-11 Holy God; Holy Jesus

Joshua 10:7-11 (NASB) “So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant warriors.   The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you."  So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal.  And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah.  As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword.”

Who is Jesus to you?  Do you think of Jesus with the long flowing hair and smooth nearly effeminate features hung on so many Sunday School walls when we were kids?  Do you picture the Jesus who said, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16b (NASB)  Is God to you you a bit firmer as  you consider passages such as, Matthew 21:12 (NASB)  “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.”  Is He more ?  Is He safe passage?  “Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” John 14:6 (NASB) 

While all these pieces of Jesus are true if left in isolation or even filled in with like passages it paints an incomplete portrait of our Lord and Savior. 

While it is true that Jesus is love, (1 John 4:8) there is much more to Him than our image of love.  Love is in fact more than warm and fuzzy.  Love is Holy.  Holy is incapable of tolerating anything unholy.  Holy equals Righteous.  And now you’re starting to get nervous – am I right?

Well, we’ve glossed over a few things that we have to go back and clear up.  First, that passage we quoted that says, Jesus is Love – actually says this, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NASB)  So the first two points to make are first, Jesus is not referenced by name, it is “God” with a capital G who is mentioned.  And second, if you do not love, you do not know God.

So how can you get away with saying “Jesus is Love” Dale?  -- Here’s how.  John also writes,  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (NASB)  So, the Word equals God.  So what you say – that doesn’t make Jesus equal to God.  Read on my friend.  “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.  For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:14-17  So, Jesus is God and Jesus is Love.

Where did I come up with this God is Holy stuff and who says anyone or anything is unholy?  We can clear this one up pretty quick with a New Testament quote from Peter, “Because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’" 1 Peter 1:16 (NASB) and the other part comes from Paul, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 (NASB)  Do we have to point out that sin is somehow less than holy?  That is clearly short of God’s standard of holiness.

Ok – what has this got to do with the passage from Joshua.  Simply this.  Joshua picked up the mantle as it were from Moses who had led God’s chosen people out of Egypt through the wilderness and to the Promised Land.  Moses led them there not once but twice you might recall.  On the first trip they arrived and sent twelve spies into the land to check it out and only two came back with reports that they should enter in.  Those two were Caleb and Joshua.

Because Moses failed to lead God’s people into the Promised Land they had to wander the wilderness another forty years and when they came back another generation had been raised up.  Only this new generation plus the two Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter in.  Only Caleb and Joshua who had given the report that the inhabitants of the land could be defeated plus the new generation not yet circumcised until just before entering in as a way to separate the generations.

What was God’s command to Joshua and His people upon entering the Promised Land?    "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.  Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.  No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”  Joshua 1:2-6 (NASB)

He said take the land I am giving to you.  He said no one there will stand against you.  In later passages as the various battles are depicted even more explicit instructions are given about leaving no survivors.  This holy God commands utter destruction.

So my question comes back to this.  Who is Jesus to you?  Is He only the warm and fuzzy Teddy Bear Jesus or is He your Holy God Jesus?  For me, He is both.  AMEN!

Exodus 26:15-25 Architect, Engineer and Designer

Exodus 26:15-25  "Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright.  Ten cubits shall be the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board.  There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; thus you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle.  You shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side.  You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards, two sockets under one board for its two tenons and two sockets under another board for its two tenons;  and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards,  and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board.  For the rear of the tabernacle, to the west, you shall make six boards.  You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear.  They shall be double beneath, and together they shall be complete to its top to the first ring; thus it shall be with both of them: they shall form the two corners.  There shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board.” (NASB)

This week I am taking some vacation time off of work but as many are these days – this is a “Staycation”.  So, I needed a project.  We’ve had a covered area by our pool with slotted wood since it was built more than 15 years ago and I’ve wanted to make that a solid all weather roof for some time.  This is the time.  Construction, or shall I say – destruction started on Monday.

Right off the bat I met with the unexpected as I brought out my trusty wrecking bar to pop off the 2x2 redwood that was simply nailed up there.  Oops!  Not nailed, it had been screwed down.  Every piece had been screwed in place which of course made for good construction but made my job of taking it apart a challenge.  Out comes the electric drill with Phillips head screw driver attachment and away we go.  What I discovered of course was that I did not know what I was getting into as I began even the demolition phase.

By Tuesday morning I was ready to go shopping for materials having a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do from a construction standpoint.  Well, I didn’t have an inventory of the hardware store in mind as I put the thoughts in my head so there was quite a process of wandering and pondering as I pieced the project together mentally gathering the necessary materials.

It worked out that the measurements would provide for a two foot spacing.  So, I put the first hanger up and measured out two more feet to the next position.  Two more feet and – TROUBLE.  A light fixture and conduit was exactly in that position so I couldn’t put it there.  I had to deviate and go with two and a half feet on that one.  Then back to two feet for the remainder.

I’m not done with the project but I will just guarantee there will be unexpected challenges as I design as I build.  And that is the point of the passage I chose today from Exodus which is a portion of the detailed instructions given to Moses by God to the people of Israel for building the Tabernacle.  The Tabernacle was the precursor of the Temple and housed the Arc of the Covenant.  It was the portable version carried by Israel as they wandered through the desert on their way to the Promised Land.

So what is the significance?

God did not simply say, Moses – run down to Lowes and pick up a few rugs and some lumber and build me a tent.  He gave very detailed instructions.  This was the Lord’s house and He wanted it made a particular way.  He gave detailed instructions to Moses to have the Tabernacle materials prepared and ultimately constructed.  As they moved through the desert for decades, the Tabernacle went with them.  It was taken apart and then put back together in each new location.

God also provided the artisans with the skills to prepare the various pieces of silverwork, tapestries and woodwork.  None of this should be lost on us as we observe what God did in providing for the building of His Tabernacle.

So what?  How does this matter to me?

Well, our God does not change.  The God that provided that detail to Moses in building that Tabernacle is the same God that is living and active today.  He is at work with His plan and we know by observing His ways that His method is not to get into a project and decide what happens next on the fly.  His plan has been established from the beginning.  And His plan is detailed down to the finest point, we don’t need to wonder whether that is true.  Thankfully, we have passages like this to see a glimpse of the detail our Lord considers.

It is unlikely that any one of us will be asked by God to build Him a tent.  But we do know that every Christian is considered a part of the body of Christ (see 1 Cor 12) and as such has a function to fulfill.  In context our function is not a haphazard unplanned effort that we make up on the fly.  Our Lord has a design in mind. 

OK – so, I’m supposed to be working on some project.  What?  How?

I cannot tell you what your project for God is but I know He has something in mind for you.  I do know that doing nothing is NOT it.  Discerning God’s will for your life is an ongoing process and it involves time in His word, time under Biblical teaching, time in prayer and time in fellowship with believers to gain godly counsel.  This passage comes to mind, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NASB)

Our steps are laid before us – we simply need to walk in them. AMEN!

Psalm 78:18-20 Be Content

Psalm 78:18-20  “And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire.  Then they spoke against God; They said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?  ‘Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, And streams were overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people?’" (NASB)

After much persuasion by the appeal of Moses and the plagues of God Pharaoh let the people of Israel go out of Egypt.  Of course he thought better of his decision only to have his army destroyed when the Red Sea came crashing in on them after Israel passed through.  After such a miraculous deliverance you would think the people of Israel would have been on their face and totally in awe of their God.  You would have thought they would have been attentive to every word Moses had to say to them from God so that every move they made and every word they said would be pleasing to their deliverer.

But sorry to say, their memories were short.

Out in the wilderness God provided for the people of Israel every morning providing for them manna.  As best I can understand it this was a bread like substance that would form with the dew and would be gathered each morning.  They could gather just what they needed for that day because it would not last.  Keeping and eating manna beyond that day would at least result in a spoiled meal if not sickness from the eating.  The bottom line is that God provided all the needs for His people as they were moving through the wilderness.

The people though became restless with the same old thing day after day.  They weren’t satisfied with just having their needs met they complained for variety and they challenged Moses to use his staff to provide water when God hadn’t given that instruction.  And they begged for meat instead of plain old manna.  Well, God gave them meat.  He gave them birds from the sky and they ate.  They ate too much and some ate so much they actually died.

God can always provide.  He can always provide enough and He can always provide too much.  Which will it be?  What will you ask for?  Maybe the better question is what is it that makes you happy?  With what are you content?  If God promises to meet you’re every day needs with that we should be content.  When He does provide that extra something special that’s great, enjoy!  But beware – too much of a good thing may kill you!  AMEN!               

Joshua 10:12-14 So the Sun Stood Still

Joshua 10:12-14  “Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, "O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon."  So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.  There was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.” (NASB)

We recently looked at the awesomeness of God which was depicted by His power and His scale in comparison to ours.  I think one of the takeaways from that was to put us in proper perspective with regard to our God.  We are puny and weak but our God is omnipresent (present everywhere) and is omnipotent (all powerful).

God also is fully in charge of creation including the laws of nature which as creator He set in motion and He sustains.  “And He … upholds all things by the word of His power…” Hebrews 1:3 

Following the exodus from Egypt Moses led the people of Israel through the wilderness and to the Promised Land.  When they failed to enter God sent them about wandering again later bringing them back to but not into the Promised Land of Canaan.  Because the first generation had been disobedient only Joshua and Caleb who had been spies on the first visit and had wanted to go in were allowed to enter.  Moses and the rest of that disobedient generation died on the other side of the Jordon river.  As such, Joshua became the leader of Israel.

Upon entering God commanded Israel to conquer the land.  Led by Joshua with substantial help from God’s angelic warriors they set about doing so.  When they followed the Lord’s direction they were successful in battle.  When they decided to do it their own way they failed.  That in and of itself is a good lesson for us to remember.

The event I’m leading up to was a particular battle with Joshua as leader of Israel following the command of the Lord in defending a city from five Amorite kings.  These five banded together to attack Gibeon.  When their attack failed and defeat was obvious they tried to escape.  With Joshua in hot pursuit of these fleeing armies, we come to today’s passage.  Joshua was following the instructions of the Lord and as he pursued the enemy.  He feared it would become dark and they would get away.  He knew from prior experience that the Lord was not pleased when he allowed any to escape; he was to completely destroy them.  So Joshua had a predicament.  He could let them escape and disobey God or he could pursue but possibly fail the mission because of darkness.

Facing this untenable situation Joshua prays to God saying, "O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon."  Do you know what happened?  The sun did stand still as did the moon and this prolonged light allowed Joshua to fulfill the command of God to completely conquer the enemy.

WOW!

You have to admit, the sun and moon stopping for about a day doesn’t just happen all that often.  As a matter of fact it only happened this one time.  But it did happen because it suited the purpose of God to suspend the laws of nature for this brief period at the behest of Joshua.  Scripture also says of this event,  “There was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel”.

What is the message for us?  We are instructed to pray to God to meet our needs.  We are to pray according to His will.  That is to say, when we are right in the middle of His will with our need we are to ask Him to meet those needs.  Most often our need will be a bit less complicated than suspending the rotation of the earth.  All this is to say, if He can do that, He can accomplish the meeting of your need and mine.  Our God can and will do whatever we ask because He is able.  It is conditioned on us asking according to His will.  Don't misunderstand, this isn't about naming it and claiming it.  This is about being sensitive to what God wants then asking Him to accomplish it by providing the way.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,  to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen!” Ephesians 3:20-21  AMEN!