The Better Thing
If God offered you an angelic escort throughout your day, would you accept?
Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? To have one of God’s powerful, created beings alongside for all things momentous and mundane? Seems to me that would provide a sense of peace and assurance, as well as accountability.
Moses and the Israelites got that offer from God in Exodus 33:
I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
— Exodus 33:2 NIV
In the next verse God explains why (a result of the egregious golden calf incident of Exodus 32):
“Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
— Exodus 33:3 NIV
God essentially says He’ll spare the Israelites from His wrath by sending an angel powerful enough to rid the land of their enemies instead of going with them Himself. On the surface it doesn’t seem like a bad deal, does it? My pastor recently pointed out, however, that Moses knew better:
Then Moses said to [God], “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
— Exodus 33:15 NIV
Moses wouldn’t settle for anything less than God Himself.
How quickly we are prone to choose the lesser thing. I’m not certain we even realize it half the time. Yet we often accept good when we should hold out for God. [Tweet this?] After all, an angel’s aid in laying hold of the Promised Land can hardly be construed as bad… except when compared to the Better Thing.
Have you caught yourself unwittingly doing the same? Consider some contemporary versions:
- We are tempted to trade the accumulation of Bible knowledge for knowing the Word Himself.
- We might forgo a meaningful encounter with the Living God for a worship service we simply prefer in terms of music styles or teaching approaches.
- We seek an intense emotional experience with God — a mountain-top moment at camp or a retreat — instead of seeking Him.
- We minister in His name but fail to recognize Him in those we serve.
I’ve certainly been guilty of all. And more, to be sure. Which is why I loved the hinge verse in this passage, where Moses beseeches God:
“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”
— Exodus 33:13a NIV (emphasis added)
What Moses prizes above all is knowing God. He seeks Him and Him alone. He prefers the desert with God to the Promised Land without Him — even if an angel went along.
Our choices may be less dramatic. But they are no less consequential. May Moses’ words be ours… “Teach us so we may know You, God.”
This is an excellent post Kirsten and I love your connections and conclusions to knowing God and using the example of Moses! So good!
Thank you, Hester
This is an excellent post Kirsten and I love your connections and conclusions to knowing God and using the example of Moses! So good!
Thank you, Hester
This is an excellent post Kirsten and I love your connections and conclusions to knowing God and using the example of Moses! So good!
Thank you, Hester
Thanks, Hester!
This is an excellent post Kirsten and I love your connections and conclusions to knowing God and using the example of Moses! So good!
Thank you, Hester
This is an excellent post Kirsten and I love your connections and conclusions to knowing God and using the example of Moses! So good!
Thank you, Hester
Thanks, Hester!
Amen, Sister. I do this e.v.e.r.y. day. Especially seeking a mountaintop emotional high instead of the moment-by-moment slog through the day of bending my will to His.
Amen, Sister. I do this e.v.e.r.y. day. Especially seeking a mountaintop emotional high instead of the moment-by-moment slog through the day of bending my will to His.
Amen, Sister. I do this e.v.e.r.y. day. Especially seeking a mountaintop emotional high instead of the moment-by-moment slog through the day of bending my will to His.
God in the every-day, right Sharon? Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Ministering in His name, but missing Him in the process.
Now THERE is something to ponder, Kirsten. In as much as we’ve done it for one of them… may we never lose sight of that powerful truth.
Ministering in His name, but missing Him in the process.
Now THERE is something to ponder, Kirsten. In as much as we’ve done it for one of them… may we never lose sight of that powerful truth.
Ministering in His name, but missing Him in the process.
Now THERE is something to ponder, Kirsten. In as much as we’ve done it for one of them… may we never lose sight of that powerful truth.
Ministering in His name, but missing Him in the process.
Now THERE is something to ponder, Kirsten. In as much as we’ve done it for one of them… may we never lose sight of that powerful truth.