I was asked to contribute five short devotionals to the Bibeln Idag (Sweden’s Scripture Union) from the book of Exodus. This is the third.

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Text: Exodus 33:1–23

The chapter begins with God sending the Israelites to the promised land fulfilling His promise to them. But this is not a joyous moment because the Lord now says He will not go with them (v.1-6). Their sin has led, as sin always does, to separation from God. 

Moses, again, goes to seek the Lord in the Tent of Meeting (v.7-11) to plead for the Lord not to give up on His people (v.13). It is in this conversation that Moses asks a crucial question that all followers of the Lord should ask themselves: ‘What will distinguish us from other people?’ Despite the laws, customs, and rituals they are not the answer. They help us know His ways and so know God. The crucial difference is the presence of God. What else Moses says, could it be? (v.16).

This is so essential that Moses would willingly refuse the inheritance of the Promised Land (v.15), or as Jesus pointed out, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mk 8:36).

Moses understands that it is the Lord Himself that is the most precious treasure and the Lord responds positively to the trust and faith Moses shows (v.17). Through Moses the Israelites’ relationship with God has been restored. Moses though presses God for an experience of His presence in even greater measure (v.18-23).

Prayer

Thank you Father for sending us the Holy Spirit through whom we can daily know your presence with us.