The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

6.3. DEVOTED PLEA FOR RENEWAL (Exodus 33:1-23)

The background to chapter 33 is in the incident of the golden calf. Moses is told by the Lord that He will send an Angel with the people but not go up with them Himself (Exodus 33:1-3 ). The people are rightly greatly distressed to hear that the special presence of the Lord will not be with them (Exodus 33:4-6 ). God tested their sorrow as to whether it was godly or true, by commanding that they take off their ornaments (Exodus 33:5 ).

2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."

Moses' tent became the temporary tabernacle or place of meeting. This he pitched outside the camp (Exodus 33:7-11 ). There, the visible presence of God could converse with Moses. Moses pleads successfully for the Lord's accompanying presence with His people (Exodus 33:12-17 ). Moses then asks to see the Lord's glory, and the Lord tells him that as far as it is possible, he shall (Exodus 33:18-23 ). The answer God gave seems to show that by His glory Moses meant the nature and character of God. We believers have seen God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6 ), A threefold definition of the Lord's glory is given,

Exodus 33:19 "Then He said, 'I will make My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion'."

His glory is His goodness (Psalm 136:1 ), His name and His choice to be gracious and compassionate, all of which are revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

How did the people receive the news that God would not go in their midst (Exodus 33:4 )?
- Had God changed His purpose for Israel (Exodus 33:1-3 )?
- Why was God withholding his being present in the midst of the people (Exodus 33:5 )?
- Of what were the people to strip themselves (Exodus 33:6 )?
- Was this intended to be a sign of sorrow?
- Do you think the description "stiff-necked" means obstinacy of heart (Exodus 33:5 )?
- Did the stripping of their ornaments result in the stripping of their hearts (Exodus 33:6 )?
Why did Moses put his tent outside the camp as a temporary place of meeting (Exodus 33:7 )?
- How did the people identify with Moses when he went to the place of meeting (Exodus 33:8 )?
- What was their response to the pillar of cloud descending and standing at the door (Exodus 33:9- 10 )?
Do you see secrets of communion with the Lord in Exodus 33:11?
- Would you affirm that true prayer is conversation between friend and friend?
- Whom did God call His friend (Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23 )?
- What privileged relationship does the Lord Jesus say you are to enjoy (John 15:15 )?
- How do you prove your friendship with Jesus (John 15:14 )?
- Why do you think that Joshua stayed at the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11 )?
- Would his remaining in the divine presence prepare him for his future leadership?
What was the burden of Moses prayer (Exodus 33:12-16 )?
- When charged with special responsibility can you accomplish it without the Lord's special presence?
- Do you know God so well that you could not follow the leadership of an angel with whom you are unacquainted (Exodus 33:12 )?
- By standing in grace are you assured that God cannot leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5 )?
- Do you long to be shown the Lord's being and nature, His character, so as by grace to walk with Him and for Him (Exodus 33:13; Psalm 103:7 )?
- Having found grace, (Moses asked for grace), do you experience supplies of grace (Hebrews 4:16 )?
- How important is it for the Lord to acknowledge a gathering of people as His people?
How is the great promise of Exodus 33:14 guaranteed for you as a believer (John 14:16 )?
- Does the Lord mean so much to you that you refuse to go anywhere or do anything unless He is involved in the going and the doing (Exodus 33:15; Mark 16:20 )?
- Do you believe it is God's presence among His people that makes them a separate people from the world (Exodus 33:16; John 17:16 )?
- Do you rightly attribute to grace, all answers to prayer, and your being personally known in Christ (Exodus 33:17 )?
Do you, like Moses, want to know God better (Exodus 33:18 )?
- What did Moses mean by "Your glory" (Exodus 33:18 )?
- What is God's definition of glory in Exodus 33:19?
- What do the words 'goodness', 'name', 'graciousness' and 'mercy' mean to you?
- How have you as a believer, seen God's glory (2 Corinthians 4:6 )?
What part of God was Moses not allowed to see (Exodus 33:20 )?
- Do you believe that you can know God in increasing measure but never exhaustively (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18 )?
- Where was Moses to stand?
- And where are you safe (Exodus 33:21 )?
- Have you known the protecting hand of God?