Hungry and Thirsty

Hungry and Thirsty Exodus 33

Introduction

As we can read in the book of Exodus, God did many miraculous works in the nation of Israel. From the Egyptian plagues (ch. 7-13), to the “spoiling” of Egypt as the Israelites left (ch. 13), to the Red Sea crossing and deliverance from the Egyptian army (ch. 14), to providing meat, manna and water in the wilderness (ch. 16-17), and in the chapter before this morning’s text, we see God speaking personally with Moses in giving him the Law (ch. 32). God was working in the lives of these people! He was repeatedly doing mighty things, proving to them over and over again His power, His love and His holiness. He was meeting and exceeding every standard they would have known about from oral tradition, handed down since Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This was an amazing, historic time in the life of the nation God had chosen for His own.

Then in Exodus 32, while Moses is on Sinai receiving the Law, the people decide they will reject Almighty God and instead serve a golden calf of Aaron’s design, and further insulting God by attributing His miracles to this calf! This time of idolatry and moral debauchery is infamous in the Bible, especially considering that any thinking, attentive Israelite would have known without a doubt that GOD HIMSELF was leading the nation! Knowledge was not the problem leading to this wicked sin; the problem was deeper than that.

This morning, I’d like us to consider Moses’ role in all this, and draw some parallels to modern day Christianity. I think there are some similarities to note, reminders to think about, and lessons to be learned. I pray God will work in our hearts this morning.

I. The Problem 32:7-16, 19-20

Moses was called by God to lead Israel, an incredibly difficult task. Not only did it require Moses to have strong faith in God, but he also had to be willing to be criticized, doubted, and even hated.

A. The Sin 32:3-6

Moses’ friends/neighbors/relatives were fully engaging in wickedness when he came down with the stone tablets of the Law. Imagine the clash of conditions—Moses basking in his revelation from God, holding the law vs. the people rioting in their unbridled lust and idolatry.

B. The Response 32:19-20

Moses responded in a way that would make most Christians proud! Moses:

1. Saw the evil

2. Hated the evil

3. Became angry with the evil

4. Enacted punishment on the evildoers vs. 20, 26-28

5. Preached to the evildoers vs. 30

6. Interceded for the evildoers vs. 11-13, 31-35

How can we find fault with any of this? Certainly many of God’s people today do not respond this favorably to sin, in their lives or those around them. Yet there was still something missing in Moses’ heart, which we’ll see soon.

II. The Promise 33:1-3

God proposes a solution to Moses that would accomplish two this: 1) Keep God’s promises to Israel, and 2) Bring Israel to the land of plenty for their possession and inheritance, and ending their wilderness wandering. Pretty good plan, right? How many of us, if we were in Moses’ position, would have been elated at this statement of God’s?

III. The Prayer 33:9-23

A. Modern Christianity

I’m afraid that modern day Christians have lost sight of what real Godliness is all about. We congratulate ourselves on identifying and condemning sin in our society (it should be condemned!); we pride ourselves on how we handle and make restitution for wrongs against others. We’re impressed by our own ability to declare the truth to anyone and everyone. We convince ourselves we put forth a worthy effort to pray for the unsaved in our world. But in working so hard to be a well-rounded, compassionate, righteously-indignant Christian who jealously stands up for God and His truth, we can miss the most important part of our lives.

B. Moses’ Persuasion

Moses didn’t accept God’s offer to send a conquering angel before Israel. Why not? This was their ticket home! God promised to clear the way for them to go and possess Canaan, fulfilling prophecies from hundreds of years ago! What was there NOT to like about God’s offer?

Moses stated two things to God:

1. The need for God’s presence

Moses wasn’t satisfied with anything less than God’s favor, grace and presence in the life of Israel. He stated the overarching importance of God’s presence: to show the difference God can make in the lives of people.Moses wasn’t focused on the goal of Canaan; he was much more interested in the process, not the accomplishment.

2. The reason for Israel’s deliverance

God’s glory was the foremost reason; He wasn’t simply feeling benevolent, and chose to give Israel a homeland. He was choosing to show Himself powerful in their lives for all the world to see. Moses delighted so much in God that His glory was his highest desire.

C. Moses’ Request vs. 18

Moses’ next request may seem strange, but it perfectly fits with his heart’s desire in vs. 16. Moses beseechesGod to let him perceive His splendor/honor. Why is this important? Because it shows us Moses’ hunger and thirst for God Himself—His very Person! This is where we ought to be striving to reach. Are we satisfied with merely accomplishing spiritually-related tasks, or with seeing God keep His promises? Or do we not rest until we intimately and continually know God’s presence and glory firsthand? THIS is what will make us stand out in the world, and what will bring glory to God and allow Him to use us as He desires.

Ps. 42:1; Matt. 5:6, 8; Acts 4:13

IV. The Product 35:21-30

One might think, “That’s great that Moses desired intimacy with God, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Israelites were carnal people!” Let’s look at the effect that Moses’ fellowship with God had on the people:

· After Moses’ time on the Mount with God, his face shone (unlike the last time!)…but Moses didn’t realize it. Ex. 34:29 – True fellowship with God yields humility in the Christian’s heart; he/she doesn’t see their own Godliness, but their sinfulness. Additionally, the focus is on God, His fellowship and His work, not on self.

· The people were afraid of Moses. Ex. 34:30 For us today, isn’t Godliness intimidating in some ways? People who are running from God avoid those who are running to God.

· Moses preached the word of God to the people—much different from the last time, when his “anger waxed hot…and brake [the tables] beneath the mount!” 35:1

· The people obeyed the word of the Lord – Ex. 35:20-24

· Right after this wicked relapse into “Egyptian-style” immorality, God used the people to build the tabernacle they would use for centuries, until Solomon’s temple was complete.

· God brought the Israelites into Canaan Himself! Num. 23:22-23 – “God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. 23Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!” Josh. 10:42 – “And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.”

What about us? Are we too busy being wrapped up in acting as a Christian should, that we forget about the source of our strength? Is your life displaying God’s stamp of approval, in the form of His abiding presence? We talk about being “filled with the Spirit,” “walking in the Spirit,” and “being Christlike,” but without the supernatural presence of God on and in our lives, these descriptions don’t mean anything. We can say all the right things, but if God’s presence isn’t there, our words are ineffectual.

We don’t have close communion with God by accident. We don’t see God’s glory by being distracted by temporal or unimportant things. God reveals Himself to us when He alone is our focus, our sole desire, and the only way our thirst can be quenched.

God can use a saint who set apart and hungry for God’s presence and glory. Can He use you?