It is hard for me to fathom what it must have been like to be a part of the great exodus out of Egypt. To see the glory of the LORD go before you by day in the form of a cloud and at night in the form of a pillar of fire would seem to erase all doubt of God’s power and nearness. Then throw into that mix God’s provision of the plagues to free you, the Red Sea parting, water coming out of a rock in the desert, and bread from Heaven and you would think that the hearts of God’s chosen would be completely devoted to Him.
In spite of God’s goodness and His revealing Himself, the children of Israel were “a stubborn and rebellious people.” God knows it. Moses, God’s chosen leader of the people, knows it.
Moses’ heart and relationship with God was different. Exodus 33:11 reveals to us that “the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” I believe that had the others had a heart like Moses – had they been searching for Him – lived in obedience to Him – they too could have experienced a friendship with God. Honestly, I believe that sort of relationship and intimacy is what God desires for us today as well. Yet, our humanness, our selfishness, our lack of obedience and reverence for God prevents us from attaining that sort of relationship.
Imagine how it must have spoken to God’s heart to hear Moses speak his hearts genuine desire: “If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor.” (v. 13) God loves it when we seek Him. When we look for Him we will find Him.
Friend, it was a heart that sought God that brought about a closeness to Him.
We don’t have a special tent where we go to meet with God. His invitation to us is simply to come. Come and meet. God does indeed look favorably on those whose hearts seek Him.
Blessings!