The book of Exodus is a study in contrasts; it shows us everything that God is and everything that Israel is not. There could be no greater mismatch: loyal vs subversive, attentive vs untrustworthy, generous vs selfish and virtuous vs corrupt. In Exodus 32, we read that Israel committed idolatry by worshipping a golden calf. In chapters 33 through 40, despite their idolatry, we see God’s sovereign love and divine deliverance for His chosen people. In these same chapters, we also see that God’s multiple responses to the Israelites were intended to humble them into repentance and relationship, to shock them into love and loyalty and to invite them into wonder and worship. For this writing, we will focus on two of these responses: 1) God’s Holiness demands judgment and 2) God’s mercy provides revelation.
In Exodus 33:1-11, we see that God’s holiness demands judgment when humans sin. In the case of the Israelites disobedience, judgment came in two ways: 1) The plague that God sent on the people (Exodus 32:35) and 2) His lack of presence among them (Exodus 33:4). There is absolutely no doubt that both of these judgments were horrific. However, as bad as the plague was, can you imagine life without God’s presence? This would be like reading a book about your life without an author. It would be filled with vivid memories and wonderful experiences, but lacking a cohesive narrative to tie the chapters together. The way Israel responds to God’s lack of presence is very telling; they mourn (Exodus 33:4). Friend, if you do not yet know God, have you noticed anything about God’s presence when you encounter a believer and, if so, is there anything about their life that you desire for yourself?
Now, while we have seen that God’s justice requires that sin be punished, we also see that God’s mercy provides revelation. In Exodus 33:18-19, Moses requests that God show him (Moses), a sinner and a rebel, His (God’s) glory. In Exodus 34:5-7, God grants this request. And, as God reveals His perfect glory to him, Moses metaphorically experiences the fiery holiness of God incinerating the smog of self as he begins to breathe the pure oxygen that God’s Holy presence provides. So, how did Moses respond? He worshiped (Exodus 34:8-11a). Why? because he was humbled. Let’s be clear: Human sinfulness in the presence of God’s Holiness creates one of two responses: rebellious pride or humble worship.
So, how do these two truths apply to Christ followers today? We, as modern day western Christians may not create and worship a physical golden calf as the Hebrews did; however, our idolatry is just as great when we worship the idols of money, possessions, status and pleasure or embrace worldviews in direct contrast to the teachings of Holy Scripture. Like the Israelites, we will egregiously and repeatedly sin against God and be punished for it. However, just as God revealed His glory to Moses, He will also reveal His glory to us. The question is this: will we respond in rebellious pride or, like Moses, by humble worship?
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