What a delight this morning to find two of my favorite passages in my Bible Reading Plan. The first is one most familiar to anyone who knows me well. It is found in Exodus 33.
This chapter follows the incident with the Golden Calf when Moses was on the mountain with God. God’s anger burned against Israel for their idolatry. Moses interceded for the nation and God told them He would withhold His presence from them but would send an angel to lead them into the Promised Land.
Wow, an angel to lead them! Most of us would be quite satisfied with an angel leading us along the way, but Moses was not. He simply ignored God’s announcement of the angel and said, “You have not let me know whom You will send with me.” [33:12 HCSB]
Then begins what is a marvelous portrayal of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7, what is known as the “Ask, Seek, Knock” passage. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.” [NKJV]
First Moses Asks: “Please teach me Your ways ….” God responds: “My presence will go with you ….” [33:12-14 HCSB]
Next Moses Seeks: “If Your presence does not go … don’t make us go up from here.” God responds: “I will do this very thing you have asked ….” [33:15-17 HCSB]
Last, Moses Knocks: “Please let me see Your glory.” God responds: “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you …” [33:17-19 HCSB]
Glorious! But did you notice the progression Moses made? First, He asks to be taught God’s ways. Then He seeks God’s presence with Him as He obeys God to lead the people. Last, He wants to see God’s glory.
We have to first learn God’s ways before we can dwell in His presence. Finally, in His presence we will abide in His glory.
