Moses was talking God off the ledge. That is the only way to put it. God was furious with the people who openly rebelled as he was constructing their rules for a great life. But God had had it. He told Israel He would keep His promise, but he would not go with them. Not to punish them, but to keep from destroying them. It was kind of a “Don’t ask Don’t tell” scenario.
Moses called God on His stuff. He simply laid it out. If you are not going, then we are not going. Pretty strong words. Those are words spoken to a friend, not to a boss or an authority. It is not that God was surprised by the people, they had been a pain the entire time and will continue to be a pain until God’s return.
No, it was God getting to a place with His chosen leader, that allowed the leader to lead; and not simply act as a puppet for others to manipulate. Rest assured, if Moses could stand up to God, (Albeit reverently), then the lowly kings and rulers of Israel’s enemies would be no problem.
Finally, Moses asks God to take their partnership to the next level…Show me your glory. So, God does. God wanted and did have a partnership with Moses unlike any other of His Stars. Through the years, God and Moses would laugh, cry, and grieve over this stiff-necked people. It would ultimately cost Moses his entrance into Israel, but even in that, God would handle Moses as a friend, not a subject.
We are blessed to be treated as God’s children not his subjects. We will be able to look God in the eyes. He will hug our necks, restore our eternal bodies, and treat us as one He loves. God will treat us as He treated Moses. We will probably not be talking God off a ledge, but we can speak to Him face to face.
It is the greatest gift of Christmas the change from a national relationship to a personal one. We do not have to look to a Moses, but only to our Lord for leadership and direction! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
God Bless You
Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you, and I know you by name.”
18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Walking With God 