Introduction:
Great spiritual experiences are rare. We read in the Scripture stories
about the miraculous, there are many glorious events that take place, and many
question why those things no longer happen, especially to them! It should be
noted that the miraculous events in Scripture did not happen every day but over
thousands of years. God has never made a habit of proving Himself through
miracles. The way that He shows Himself is through Words. Today we will have a
great spiritual experience by reading God’s Word and He will reveal Himself to
us if we listen.
Internal Preview:
We will continue our study of Exodus chapters 33 and 34 today as we
discuss chapter 34 verses 1-9. This text describes the event that took place
after Moses requested to learn God’s ways and to see God’s glory. God
accomplishes both, as He said He would, in one event. Keep in mind that our
Scripture from last week also contains some of the details.
In these Words, God will tell us who He is…
READ SCRIPTURE- This is the Word of God
Point 1: Cut Two Tablets of Stone
A. These are great words of mercy to the ears of Moses.
B. The first set were supplied by God himself, this set is prepared by
Moses.
a. And God points out
that the first were broken.
b. God makes clear the
fact of His forgiveness. God is faithful, Israel wasn’t.
c. His commands
weren’t simply violated, they were BROKEN.
C. God is forgiving the people and activating the covenant once again.
Connective: God has
forgiven the people and given Moses the directives on reestablishing the
covenant- Moses is to cut new stones and present himself to the LORD in the
morning. Surely Moses is going to the same place on the mountain where he had
met with God the other times. Unauthorized beings could not be around this
mountain when God was there less they were consumed for trespassing on holy
ground.
Point 2: Moses Rose Early in the Morning
A. As a side note, it is almost comical that this detail is mentioned.
a. Do we actually
think that Moses slept the night before?
b. Can you imagine the
suspense that night while trying to sleep?!
B. God’s presence with the people had been in limbo and Moses had spent
time with God the day before asking for forgiveness. After His mercy was
promised, Moses asked to see God’s glory. Now God said He would pass before
Moses, but it would be the next day.
C. It is logical to rise early in the morning:
1. Long journey 2. Better climate 3. Anxiousness 4. Commanded
Connective: Moses did
all that the LORD commanded him by cutting two tablets of stone, rising in the
morning, and presenting himself on the mountain. As I noted in our Wednesday night
studies, especially in Matthew, but obviously in other places in Scripture, God
uses a mountain when bringing about a new revelation.
Point 3: The LORD Descended
A. The LORD descended- God’s dwelling place is considered to be above
ours.
He comes from a high
and holy place.
B. The cloud came down and stood. Moses didn’t have some feeling or
dream of a concept. He knew that there was a real, personal being in his
presence. It was YAHWEH.
C. In the cloud- not just “a” cloud, but “the” cloud.
a. Of course Moses had
seen this cloud before.
b. Moses had actually
been in the midst of the cloud.
c. The cloud would
cover the entire mountain.
D. The LORD passed before him- all of God’s glory (goodness)
surrounding Him
a. Exodus 33:18-19
Point out again that God equates His glory with His goodness
b. Exodus 33:21-23
Details of the “passing”
Connective: This
encounter is unlike the other times that Moses witnessed the cloud of God since
Moses had seen the cloud and had actually been covered by it. This time is
different because God shows Moses a glimpse of His glory and proclaims His
name.
Point 4: Proclaimed the Name of the LORD
A. “The LORD, the LORD God”
a. God repeats His
name for emphasis, no doubt.
b. There is none like
Him. Yahweh literally means “I AM” or “I CAUSE TO BE”
c. The proclamation of
God’s name to Moses may be considered more significant than physically seeing God’s glory. It’s God’s Name that really reveals His glory.
B. God’s Traits are in Accordance with His Name
1. Merciful- compassionate
a. God
really cares about people, especially His covenant people
b. “For
the LORD you God is a merciful God, He will not forsake you…”
c. Jesus
said, “Therefore be merciful as your Father is merciful.”
2. Gracious
a. Grace
is always beyond what is expected.
b. Psalm says, “Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.”
3. Longsuffering- slow
to anger
a. His
patience with our failures is great.
b. 2 Peter
3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance.”
4. Abounding in
Goodness and Truth
a.
Goodness = Loyal, Covenant Love // Truth = He is completely reliable
b. Ex.
33:19 Glory = Goodness // “Let God be true and every man a liar”
C. Mercy and Forgiving
a. Keeping mercy for
thousands
b. Forgiving iniquity
and transgression and sin
c. God is more willing
to show mercy than wrath.
D. By No Means Clearing the Guilty
a. This speaks to His
justice
b. God never clears
anyone without intercession being made- that is justice
c. Visiting the
iniquity of the fathers
aa. Many
have misapplied these words.
bb. The
original context of this statement is Exodus 20:5 where God says, “of
those who hate me.”
cc. For
the Scripture says in Deuteronomy 24:16, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children,
neither shall the children be put to death for the
fathers: each one shall be put to death for his own sin.”
Connective: The point
is that God is more willing to show His mercy than wrath, but His justice is
very real. He will visit the sin of every individual that hates Him.
Conclusion:
Moses Made Haste--
Moses made haste to humble himself because of this glorious. He quickly
bowed his head and worshiped. God’s glory and His goodness should impel us to
worship Him and Him alone. Make haste to worship God. He has revealed Himself
to you this day.