Throughout their travels in the desert, the Israelites continually shift back and forth between praising God and whining about hardships. When they reach the base of Mt. Sinai, Moses climbs to the top of the mountain to meet with God. There, the Lord speaks to Moses and gives him laws for the people to follow. Moses spends forty days on the mountain talking with God and during the time he’s gone, the people become restless. Under the leadership of Aaron, they follow the example of the Egyptians by making a golden statue of a calf and worshipping it. (They may have copied this practice from the Egyptians’ worship of a bull-god named Apis).1
Moses returns from Mt. Sinai after spending forty days in the presence of the LORD to find the Israelites running wild. They’ve already forgotten the miracles of the Red Sea and the manna. Instead, they’re worshiping a golden calf and spinning out of control in pagan revelry. Enraged, Moses throws down the two stone tablets on which God carved the Ten Commandments. During the mayhem that follows, Moses calls together the people who remain faithful to the LORD. All the members of the tribe of Levi respond and together with Moses, they kill 3000 people who are unfaithful to God. At this point, Moses returns to the Lord on the mountain to make atonement for the sins of the rest of the people.
During his time on the mountain, Moses has an inspiring conversation with God. He makes requests of the Lord that show how much he’s grown in trust since their first encounter at the burning bush. Moses reveals deep faith and gives us a pattern we can follow in our own prayer lives.
Teach Me Your Ways: Moses says 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.’ 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.’” (Exodus 33:12b-13, NIV) Have you ever thought about making a request to God like this? Consider asking the Lord to teach you His ways by:
- asking Him to increase your desire and ability to study His Word
- asking God to show you how to incorporate His ways into your daily life
- asking for courage or strength to implement any changes you sense He’s calling you to make so you can find favor with Him
Don’t Send Us Without You: During their conversation the Lord also tells Moses He will send an angel with the Israelites instead of going with them to the promised land. “Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? ’” (Exodus 33:15-16a, NIV) Moses says he will not move forward without God’s presence. Is there an area in your life where you would be wise not to move forward without the Lord? For example:
- making a big decision that will impact you or your family significantly such as a job change, buying or remodeling a home, moving, choosing a college, or getting married.
- embarking on a ministry assignment such as leading, speaking, teaching, serving, giving, or going on a mission trip.
- having a hard conversation with someone about an important topic
Distinguish Me from All Other People: Moses asks the Lord: “What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” (Exodus 33:16b, NIV) As believers, we’re called to be set apart. We’re in the world but not of the world. Try asking God to distinguish you from others by:
- using you as a light among you family, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and strangers
- praying you will stand out to the world in positive ways and will draw others to the Lord
- giving you confidence to swim against the current of secular culture
Show Me Your Glory: Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” (Exodus 33:18, NIV) Consider asking God to show you His glory by:
- inviting Him to reveal Himself to you so that you can know and understand Him more deeply
- asking for spiritual understanding to see beyond immediate circumstances that are confusing, frustrating, or discouraging
- helping you to see His glory through the things He’s created or given you (nature, good health, community, relationships, material resources, etc.)
The Lord grants Moses’ requests and then describes His character. He reveals Himself as loving, faithful, powerful and just: “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’” (Exodus 34:6-7, NIV)
We have the gift of unrestricted access to our powerful and gracious God. Let’s follow Moses’ example and make the most of this incredible privilege.
Third Day’s song “Show Me Your Glory” sets Moses’ request of the Lord to music. Click here to listen and make it your prayer today.
Want to learn more about the Lord’s response to Moses in Exodus 34? Consider reading God Has a Name by John Mark Comer. Click here for more information.
Inspired by God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press 2022, Week 9.
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1. NIV Study Bible notes, Zondervan 2008 update, p. 135.