Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Men always ought to pray and not lose heart." Luke 18:1
Text: Exodus 33 : 12
CITING THE WORD OF GOD IN PRAYER
How should we understand Moses when he cited God’s word in prayer? He actually cited God’s word to him twice over in this prayer!
1. First citation
“You say to me, ”Bring up this people.’
But You have not let me know whom You will send
with me.'”
EXODUS 33:12a
2. Second citation
“Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name,
and you have also found grace in My sight.'”
EXODUS 33:12b
A DEEPER COMPREHENSION
Every text must be read within its context very carefully! It is all too easy to misread and misinterpret the text! It is vital that we must not think that Moses is holding God to ransom by citing the Word of God! Nothing could be further from the truth!
1. An honest attempt to comprehend what seems a contradiction
God’s ways are truly higher and deeper than man’s! On the one hand God did tell people to lead Israel out of Egypt! But on the other hand, there is a grave threat to the relationship between God and His people. How should this problem be understood and resolved?
2. An honest inquiry as to the future plans of the Lord for Israel
God had always been upfront with Moses concerning the plans He had for Israel! Then came this silence from God! How should Moses understand this dread silence? There were other unspoken questions! Was God still angry with Aaron? If so, was He contemplating on sending someone else? If so, whom would He now appoint?
3. A humble application of an established relationship with God
Moses deeply appreciated the relationship that the Lord had allowed him to cultivate! He had indeed enjoyed a most envious relationship with God! The Lord had especially honored him, calling him by name! Grace upon grace had been shown to him indeed! (Who else had been invited to stand in the Presence of God again and again)?
Did this privileged relationship amount to anything at all? Could he count on this relationship as a basis of speaking on behalf of Israel? Moses did not dare to take this relationship for granted. He dearly desired to know just how God would treat this relationship!
4. Awaiting an answer from the Lord
Moses actually expected an answer from the Lord! Such was the strength of his relationship with the Lord!