That I Might Know Him

God gave Moses a frightening directive: “Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’ And I will send my angel before you…. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people” (Exodus 33:1-3, NKJV).

The people of God had spun completely out of control because of lust and idolatry (see Exodus 32:25). Gold had become their god. They wanted to dance, play, and follow their lustful appetites. Only the sons of Levi stood up for the holiness of God.

What followed was the dreaded revelation that the Lord had removed himself from them; he had departed lest he slay them. Even so, they were commanded to move on to claim their inheritance. God said, “I will give you what I promised.” They could claim all their rights and his protection but not his presence.

Today, we are seeing the sad spectacle of multitudes of God's people moving on in their religious quest for promised rights, boasting of angelic help against enemies, but having no holy, convicting presence of Christ in them.

What could be worse than hearing the Lord command them to go up to a land flowing with milk and honey and yet say that he would not go up with them (see Exodus 33:3)? Instead, God said to them, “You are an obstinate people. If I should go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you” (see Exodus 33:5).

Moses wanted something greater than a land flowing with milk and honey, though. He wanted to know and experience the Lord's presence. He prayed, “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in your sight, show me now your way, that I may know you and that I may find grace in your sight. And consider that this nation is your people” (Exodus 33:13).

No wonder this precious servant of God convicted his generation! No wonder there was so much glory in his face. He wanted only to know the Lord. The only favor he wanted was the abiding presence of his Lord. So it must be with any servant of the Lord who truly wishes to see a move of God upon this generation.