In a relatively short period of time, the Israelites experienced several life-changing events. Just one of those events would have been quite dramatic, but when you add one upon the other, they would have maxed out a stress indicator.
They were freed from 430 years of slavery in Egypt in dramatic fashion, crossed the Red Sea on dry land, saw God provide for them in the wilderness, experienced the presence of God at Mount Sinai, and failed by making the golden calf.
Moses is confronted with another phase in Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. We should not be surprised that he has something to talk to God about.
Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said 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 if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people” (Exodus 33.12-13).
As the time approaches for Moses to lead the Israelites to the next phase in their journey with God, he is worried about the identity of the companion God has promised him. He believes a mere angel will not substitute for God’s presence.
We do well to question whether we think we can exist without God’s presence. Will we take God’s blessings of health and prosperity but disregard His presence?
How can we live in God’s world with all He’s given us and not pay attention to His presence?
Are we so careless that we don’t know the difference between a good emotional feeling in a worship service and the presence of God?
How do we respond to the question of God’s presence with us or not?
We do well to explore these questions, and others, then join Moses in saying that we must know God and His presence in our lives.
God Knows Your Name
There are many things for which we can worship God, one is certainly His marvelous character. God’s willingness to be involved with human beings is a prime example.
In this instance, He tells Moses, and not just Moses but people like you and me, “I know your name.”
To some degree, we know what it means for God to know our name, but why is it such a big deal?
First of all, it shows us how deep is His love and care for us.
The Psalm writer wonderfully described it by saying, “You’ve searched me, Lord, and you know me,” (Psalm 139.1).
This deep knowing goes far beyond an acquaintance. It’s a profound recognition of who we are, our fears, our joys, our struggles.
I’ve often told people in times of difficulty that God knows your name. He knows where you live. He knows your dreams. He knows your problems.
You are not alone. The world may abandon you, but God never will.
The prophet Isaiah tells us, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
Moses didn’t know where they were going, but God did. The same is true for us.
We may not know where we’re going, but we can be assured that God is with us every moment. He’s holding us close and willing to guide our paths.
This promise was made while renewing the covenant after the people had broken the covenant by making the golden calf. The presence of God is a source of profound hope for human failings.
When we stumble and fall and lose our way, we can know that God knows our name and we are not beyond redemption.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14).
Just as Jesus knows our name, we, His sheep, know His name. We know His character, His nature, and His love. As a result, we long to be molded into a character that resembles His name/character/nature.
Show Me Your Ways
There is a powerful prayer in verse 13, “Please show me your ways, so that I may know you.”
Henry Blackabee’s material, “Experiencing God,” has been very influential in my life. When I read this passage, I think of Dr. Blackabee’s ideas in his wonderful teaching.
(1) God is at work in the world.
(2) He forms a relationship with people and, amid that relationship, He lets us know that He knows our name.
(3) The next step for us is to imitate Moses’ behavior and align our lives with God’s purposes. We ask Him, “Show me your ways so that I may know you.”
As we align ourselves with God’s plan and purpose for the world, we are better able to know Him.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny, and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 