Moses, all in all, was a rather astonishing man. He had a phrase at one point that has become an integral part of my prayer life. It was a rather unusual phrase that he uttered before God shortly after his people had incurred God's wrath by their turn into idolatry. Moses, on the other hand, took no part in their fall from grace; which reminds me again how much everyone needs to be of the same caliber as Moses; able to say, the whole nation may backslide, but I am God's forever.
How many times we try to justify this or that action by arguing that everyone does it, it doesn't change the fact that it is not good. Everyone has a choice; either we are an Aaron who followed the people, or we are a Moses who led the people; either you follow your fickle friends or they follow you. Something to think about.
So we see Moses receiving a word from God that an angel would accompany them on their journey to the Promised Land, God believing that these people were so rebellious that if He accompanied them He might strike them. Shortly after, Moses is in communion with God and he insists that God tell him who should accompany them, reminding Him that He had indeed said that Moses had found favor in His eyes. God responds graciously, and Moses continues, saying this phrase that has so upset me and which has filled my prayers for many years: 'if you do not go with us yourself, do not make us leave here'. Wow!
One must measure the scope of what this man is saying. He was certain that what awaited them was good.
God made this promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and maintained it during the 400 years of slavery. He brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and now they were finally on their way. It is a land flowing with milk and honey. Another translation says this 'flowing with milk and honey.' Moses is essentially saying, goodbye milk, goodbye honey; the future is certainly promising, but without God, the promise is dull.
How can we not draw a comparison with some, yet in the faith, who would have felt more at ease if they were not so 'encumbered' by the presence of God because He very well risked clipping their wings. Now, an angel, yes, an angel would do the trick. Too bad! It's that for many of us, what really matters is that good milk and honey at the end of the journey.
A curious character, Moses. For him, it was this good God who mattered. A journey without Him was not worth it. All the milk and honey in the world could not convince him to go without God. God, in reality, must be the only star in our firmament, and everything loses its flavor in His absence. It is therefore not surprising that God spoke to Moses as a man speaks to his friend. Today, the same question is posed to us.
What is God's worth to us? What are things worth to us? Are there things we are determined to obtain even at the risk of having to make the journey without God? What are we willing to give up if God does not make the journey with us? The answer to these questions reflects the depth of our attachment to God and the degree of revelation of Him that He will grant us. Moses allowed himself to go further, saying to God, 'Show me your glory.' And God did.
May we be among those who have understood what has true eternal value, men and women who are resolutely determined not to take the slightest step without God.
Shalom!
You must be logged in to post a comment.