In the grand narrative of the Exodus, Moses stands as a towering figure of faith and leadership. His life, marked by moments of profound reliance on God, provides a template for understanding the importance of divine presence in the journey of faith. Among the many instances where Moses expresses his dependence on God's presence, one of the most poignant and revealing is found in Exodus 33.
After the Israelites' grievous sin of worshipping the golden calf, God informs Moses that He will not go with the people to the Promised Land but will send an angel instead (Exodus 33:1-3). This announcement deeply disturbs Moses, who understands that without God's presence, the journey and the mission would be futile. It is in this context that Moses' dependence on God's presence is most explicitly articulated.
In Exodus 33:12-17, Moses engages in a heartfelt dialogue with God. Moses begins by reminding God of His promise and seeking assurance of His presence:
"Moses said to the Lord, 'See, you say to me, "Bring up this people," but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, "I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight." Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.'" (Exodus 33:12-13, ESV).
Moses' plea here is layered. He acknowledges the personal relationship he has with God ("I know you by name"), but he also seeks a deeper understanding of God's ways. He is not content with mere guidance; he longs for an intimate knowledge of God, which he believes is crucial for leading the people.
God responds to Moses with a promise:
"And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'" (Exodus 33:14, ESV).
This assurance from God is pivotal, but Moses presses further, emphasizing the absolute necessity of God's presence:
"And he said to him, 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?'" (Exodus 33:15-16, ESV).
Moses' words reveal several critical aspects of his dependence on God's presence. First, he recognizes that without God, their journey would be meaningless. The Promised Land itself holds no value if God is not with them. Second, Moses understands that God's presence is what sets the Israelites apart from all other nations. Their identity and purpose are intrinsically tied to being a people led by God.
This dialogue also underscores Moses' role as an intercessor. He stands in the gap for the people, pleading not just for himself but for the entire nation. His leadership is characterized by this deep sense of responsibility and reliance on God.
Moreover, Moses' dependence on God's presence is not limited to this episode. Throughout the wilderness journey, there are numerous instances where Moses seeks God's guidance and intervention. For example, in Exodus 17, when the Israelites face the Amalekites, Moses goes to the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand, demonstrating his reliance on God's power for victory (Exodus 17:8-13).
Another significant moment is found in Numbers 11, where Moses feels the immense burden of leading the people and expresses his despair to God:
"Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. He asked the Lord, 'Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, "Give us meat to eat!" I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.'" (Numbers 11:10-15, NIV).
In this moment of vulnerability, Moses' dependence on God is starkly evident. He acknowledges his limitations and pleads for God's intervention. God's response is to provide assistance through the seventy elders, showing that He is attentive to Moses' needs and will provide the necessary support.
Moses' dependence on God's presence is also evident in his obedience to God's commands regarding the construction of the Tabernacle. In Exodus 25-31, God gives detailed instructions for the Tabernacle, a physical manifestation of His dwelling among the people. Moses meticulously follows these instructions, understanding that the Tabernacle is a tangible sign of God's presence with Israel. The culmination of this obedience is seen in Exodus 40, where the glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle, signifying God's presence with His people:
"Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." (Exodus 40:34-35, NIV).
Moses' life and leadership are a testament to the necessity of God's presence. His story teaches us that true leadership and faithful living are impossible without a deep reliance on God. This dependence is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom, recognizing that human strength and wisdom are insufficient for the divine calling.
Theologian J.I. Packer, in his book "Knowing God," emphasizes the importance of knowing God personally and intimately. He writes, "What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment than anything else? Knowledge of God." Moses exemplifies this pursuit of knowing God, demonstrating that dependence on God's presence is the foundation of a meaningful and successful life.
In reflecting on Moses' dependence on God's presence, we are reminded of Jesus' promise to His disciples in the New Testament. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus assures His followers, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This promise echoes the assurance given to Moses and extends to all believers, affirming that God's presence is the source of our strength, guidance, and identity.
Moses' story, therefore, is not just an ancient narrative but a timeless lesson. It calls us to seek God's presence earnestly, to recognize our need for His guidance, and to trust in His promises. As we navigate our own journeys, may we, like Moses, express our dependence on God's presence and find in Him the strength and wisdom to fulfill our divine calling.
