But We Don’t Always Like It Though
The Jewish people suffered a lot while they were in Egypt. Then God called Moses to go get them and take them to the promised land. Moses pushed back. He didn’t feel equipped or good enough. God finally convinced him to go.
Most of us feel ill-equipped to do big, scary things that God calls us to do.
After going through all the plagues God had sent because of their pharaoh’s wrong decisions, the Egyptians wanted the Israelites gone. They went so far as to give gold, silver, jewelry, clothes, and more to the Israelites as they left. This was quite a blessing.
When Moses tells them that he is going to lead them to the promised land, they are excited. But before they get very far, they start whining to Moses at the shores of the Red Sea. Moses goes to God with this, and He tells him to hold up his staff. Then God parts the sea, and they go through on dry ground. Not even muddy, it was dry.
Then they praise God again.
Before you know it, they’re complaining again because they’re thirsty. Moses goes to God and He gives them water from a rock. Then they’re hungry and God gives them manna. Then they want more than just bread and God gives them quail.
Then when they get to Mount Sinai, Moses goes up to meet with God, spending several days in His presence. After he’s been up there for a while, the people go off the rails again. They go to Aaron and ask him to make them an idol … and he does. Using their jewelry, he makes a golden calf.
When Moses comes down from the mountain, the people are having a party and worshiping the idol. One of the things that God had just told Moses that they shouldn’t do. Moses was so mad that he broke the stone tablets that he had just received. God was angry and punished the people.
These people are like spoiled kids. They want what they want, when they want it.
So, Moses went back to meet with God again. In Exodus 33:17-23, God tells Moses that He is his friend. While there in His presence Moses asks God if he can see Him in all His glory. God says, “I will let you see my glory and hear my holy name, but I won’t let you see my face, because anyone who sees my face will die. There is a rock not far from me. Stand beside it, and before I pass by in all of my shining glory, I will put you in a large crack in the rock. I will cover your eyes with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back. You will not see my face.”
The difference of Moses’ relationship with God and the rest of the people was significant. Moses spent time in God’s presence. The people just wanted the blessings. They wanted what they wanted. They didn’t want a relationship.
Relationships are two-sided; they require work on both sides.
We are often like the Israelites. We just want God’s blessings. We don’t want to have to do anything and spending time in His presence requires work.
Spending time in God’s presence comes with more than just blessings. It’s a relationship!