WEBVTT

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 If you have your Bibles, please turn to Exodus chapter 33.

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 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand,

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 and we'd love to bring a copy over to you

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 that you can use and you can have.

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 And if you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand,

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 and you could also just look it up on your phone or app

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 if you have it, Exodus chapter 33.

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 It's the second book in the Bible.

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 So, we are in, we're gonna go through verses 1 to 23.

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 And let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Heavenly Father, we ask you this morning,

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 as Moses asked you many years ago,

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 show us your glory.

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 Reveal your goodness.

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 How gracious you are.

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 How merciful you are.

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 So that as we sinners gather before your throne,

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 we might be assured because of what Jesus has done on the cross,

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 of your favor,

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 of our acceptance,

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 our status within your household.

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 assure us of that this morning from your word.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are willing and able,

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 please stand for the reading of God's word from Exodus 33.

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 The Lord said to Moses,

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 depart,

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 go up from here,

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 you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt,

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 to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

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 saying,

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 to your offspring I will give it.

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 I will send an angel before you,

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 and I will drive out the Canaanites,

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 the Amorites,

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 the Hittites,

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 the Perizzites,

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 the Hivites,

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 and the Jebusites.

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 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey,

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 but I will not go up among you,

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 lest I consume you on the way,

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 for you are a stiff-necked people.

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 When the people heard this disastrous word,

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 they mourned,

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 and no one put on his ornaments,

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 for the Lord had said to Moses,

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 say to the people of Israel,

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 you are a stiff-necked people.

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 If for a single moment I should go up among you,

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 I would consume you.

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 So now take off your ornaments,

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 that I may know what to do with you.

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 Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments

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 from Mount Horeb onward.

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 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp,

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 far off from the camp,

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 and he called it the tent of meeting.

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 And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting,

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 which was outside the camp.

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 Whenever Moses went out to the tent,

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 all the people would rise up,

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 and each would stand at his tent door

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 and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent.

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 When Moses entered the tent,

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 the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent,

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 and the Lord would speak with Moses.

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 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud

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 standing at the entrance of the tent,

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 all the people would rise up and worship,

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 each at his tent door.

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 Thus, the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face,

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 as a man speaks to his friend.

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 When Moses turned again into the camp,

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 his assistant Joshua, the son of Nun,

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 a young man, would not depart from the tent.

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 Moses said to the Lord,

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 See, you say to me,

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 Bring up this people,

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 but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.

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 Yet you have said,

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 I know you by name,

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 and you have also found favor in my sight.

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 Now, therefore,

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 if I have found favor in your sight,

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 please show me your ways,

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 that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.

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 Consider, too, that this nation is your people.

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 And he said,

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 My presence will go with you,

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 and I will give you rest.

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 And he said to him,

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 If your presence will not go with me,

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 do not bring us up from here.

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 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight,

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 I and your people?

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 Is it not in your going with us,

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 so that we are distinct,

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 I and your people,

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 from every other people on the face of the earth?

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 And the Lord said to Moses,

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 This very thing that you have spoken,

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 I will do,

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 for you have found favor in my sight,

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 and I know you by name.

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 Moses said,

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 Please show me your glory.

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 And he said,

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 I will make all my goodness pass before you,

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 and will proclaim before you my name,

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 the Lord.

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 And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,

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 and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

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 But, he said,

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 You cannot see my face,

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 for man shall not see me and live.

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 And the Lord said,

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 Behold, there is a place by me

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 where you shall stand on the rock,

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 and while my glory passes by,

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 I will put you in a cleft of the rock,

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 and I will cover you with my hand

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 until I have passed by.

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 Then I will take away my hand,

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 and you shall see my back,

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 but my face shall not be seen.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated at this time.

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 In 2 Samuel 13-14,

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 David's son Amnon falls in love with his half-sister Tamar,

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 and uses cunning to bring her to his bedchamber,

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 and then violates her and sends her away,

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 so that she lives as a desolate woman

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 in her full brother Absalom's house

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 for the rest of her life.

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 Absalom, her brother, full brother,

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 on account of this,

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 hates his half-brother Amnon,

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 and he eventually murders him.

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 Fearing punishment for his murder,

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 Absalom flees to Geshur

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 and lives there in exile for three years.

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 After that,

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 David allows his son Absalom

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 to return to Jerusalem,

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 but even after two full years in Jerusalem,

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 Absalom is not allowed to come into the king's presence,

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 to come see his father, King David.

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 So imagine yourself in Absalom's shoes here.

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 Even though your father and king

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 has shown you mercy

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 by inviting you back to the capital,

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 he has not fully forgiven you.

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 He refuses to see you.

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 You're no longer exiled,

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 but you're still estranged from your father,

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 and you live with the lingering feeling

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 of his displeasure every day.

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 This eventually is too much for Absalom,

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 and he demands,

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 Why have I come from Geshur?

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 It would be better for me to be there still.

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 Let me go into the presence of the king,

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 and if there is guilt in me,

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 let him put me to death.

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 He's saying,

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 I'd rather die than to be estranged from you in this way.

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 Some of you can probably relate

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 to that feeling of estrangement.

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 Maybe you wronged your friend

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 or a family member.

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 You said something hurtful,

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 or you betrayed them in some way.

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 And knowing this,

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 maybe you acknowledged your fault,

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 and you tried to make amends,

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 and your friend accepts your apology,

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 but your relationship is still not what it used to be.

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 Maybe the way they look at you has changed.

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 Maybe the way they speak to you is different,

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 their tone.

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 There isn't the same level of affection and intimacy.

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 There's an invisible barrier,

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 a distance.

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 It feels like they are tolerating you,

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 but they don't seem to enjoy your company.

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 It's not a good feeling,

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 and it makes you wonder,

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 can things ever be the same between us again?

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 That's the question that the Israelites are left to ask

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 in their relationship with the Lord God

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 here in Exodus 33.

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 In the preceding chapter,

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 the Israelites made an idol of a golden calf

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 and worshiped it,

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 saying that it is the Lord, Yahweh.

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 And thereby, they exchanged the glory of the living God

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 for the image of an ox that eats grass.

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 In doing so, they violated the second commandment,

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 you shall not make for yourself a carved image

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 or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above

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 or that is in the earth beneath

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 or that is in the water under the earth.

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 You shall not bow down to them or worship them.

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 They offended God by misrepresenting him

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 and attempting to domesticate him

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 into something that they can touch,

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 feel, and manipulate to their own liking.

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 How do you reduce the uncreated God,

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 the invisible God who dwells in unapproachable light,

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 whose glory appears in the form of pillar of fire and smoke

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 to some image or a statue

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 that we can conceive in our own heads

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 and fashion with our own hands?

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 It's unthinkable,

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 and yet that is exactly what the Israelites did,

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 and that's what we all do

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 when we co-opt God for our purposes

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 and we make him in our image

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 to reflect our values,

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 to justify our opinions,

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 to justify our lifestyles.

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 Instead of worshiping the creator,

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 we have worshiped the creatures,

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 prostrating ourselves before money,

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 sex, and power,

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 worshiping other gods,

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 other people, and ourselves.

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 By their idolatry,

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 the Israelites broke their covenant with Yahweh,

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 and note that this happened

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 right after the establishment of the covenant.

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 While God was giving Moses instructions

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 for the construction of the tabernacle,

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 a tent for Yahweh,

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 the great I Am,

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 so that he might dwell in their very midst,

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 the Israelites prostituted themselves

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 with a golden calf,

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 with an idol.

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 Israel, as God says of the Israelites

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 in Jeremiah 31, 32,

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 they broke my covenant,

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 though I was their husband.

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 The nation of Israel became,

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 metaphorically,

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 an adulteress by their idolatry.

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 They were unfaithful to Yahweh

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 and broke their covenant vows,

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 and they were left asking,

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 can our relationship with God

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 ever be the same again?

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 That's the question that faces us this morning,

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 and thankfully,

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 this passage teaches us

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 that God shows mercy

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 to a stiff-necked people

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 out of his sovereign grace.

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 So we're gonna look at that

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 in three parts.

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 God's mercy,

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 how he sends the angel to go before you,

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 God's intercessor,

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 who interacts with God,

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 discourses with him face to face,

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 and then finally,

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 God's favor,

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 coming among his people again.

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 The Lord says to Moses

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 in verses one to three,

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 depart, go up from here,

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 and you and the people

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 whom you have brought up

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 out of the land of Egypt

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 to the land with which I swore

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 to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

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 saying to your offspring,

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 I will give it.

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 I will send an angel before you,

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 and I will drive out

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 the Canaanites,

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 the Amorites,

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 the Hittites,

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 the Perizzites,

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 the Hivites,

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 and the Jebusites.

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 Go up to a land

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 flowing with milk and honey.

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 So far, so good, right?

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 Most of this sounds very good.

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 We were told in Exodus 32, 14,

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 that the Lord relented

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 from the disaster

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 that he had spoken

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 of bringing on his people

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 because of their sin.

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 The Lord is being patient.

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 He's being forbearing.

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 And he will not wipe out

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 the Israelites

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 from the face of the earth

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 as they deserved.

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 Though golden calf

00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:24.240
 has been burned

00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.279
 and ground into powder,

00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.700
 and the people of Israel

00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:27.759
 were made to scatter it

00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.940
 in the water and drink it.

00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:29.960
 So the Israelites

00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:31.139
 have gotten a taste

00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.920
 of their own bitter medicine.

00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:35.460
 Some of them were slain

00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:36.220
 for their idolatry

00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:37.100
 by the Levites.

00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.060
 So they're asking,

00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:40.460
 well, so are we good now, God?

00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:43.040
 God, it seems that way

00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:43.800
 for the most part

00:12:43.800 --> 00:12:45.160
 based on this few verses

00:12:45.160 --> 00:12:45.720
 that we read.

00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:46.660
 God tells Moses

00:12:46.660 --> 00:12:47.220
 and the Israelites

00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:48.100
 to go to the land

00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.280
 flowing with milk and honey.

00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.300
 That's the promised land.

00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:52.519
 He promised to send an angel

00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.440
 to go before them

00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.540
 and drive out the nations

00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:55.220
 who are living there.

00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.639
 So some people think

00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:59.420
 that this is kind of a letdown,

00:12:59.800 --> 00:13:01.040
 that God's,

00:13:01.400 --> 00:13:03.379
 instead of going with them himself,

00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.500
 that he's just gonna send

00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.060
 an angel,

00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:05.960
 kind of a lowly angel

00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:06.780
 in his place,

00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.879
 almost like a renowned professor,

00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.139
 instead of coming

00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:11.240
 to do the lecture himself,

00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.419
 sending his intern

00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.299
 or something like that.

00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:14.639
 But that's not

00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.820
 what's going on here

00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:18.120
 because earlier in Exodus 23,

00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:19.539
 before the Israelites

00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.320
 broke the covenant,

00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.679
 when God was first formalizing

00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.240
 his relationship

00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.019
 with his people,

00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:26.200
 he said that he would send

00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:27.320
 an angel before you

00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.399
 to guard you on the way

00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.039
 and to bring you

00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.200
 to the place that I prepared.

00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:32.700
 So this is not

00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:34.019
 a downgraded promise.

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.179
 It's the same promise

00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:36.200
 that he gave earlier.

00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:37.120
 Furthermore,

00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:38.820
 this is not an ordinary angel.

00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:41.379
 About the angel of the Lord,

00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.679
 the one of whom

00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.580
 the Lord God said,

00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:46.240
 my name is in him.

00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.019
 This angel doesn't merely

00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.620
 speak in the name of God.

00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:51.059
 It's Yahweh's name

00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:52.220
 is in him.

00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.379
 And because of that,

00:13:53.439 --> 00:13:54.399
 this angel has the power

00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.460
 to forgive sins,

00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.460
 which we know

00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.620
 from other parts of scripture

00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:59.519
 is a divine prerogative.

00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.639
 And that's why

00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.159
 in Joshua 5, 13 to 15,

00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:04.179
 people worship

00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:05.500
 the angel of the Lord

00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.779
 and the angel doesn't stop it

00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.799
 because he is actually

00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.000
 a representation

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:11.220
 of the Lord God himself,

00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.059
 a manifestation

00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:14.059
 of the Lord God himself.

00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.419
 And many pastors

00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:16.059
 and theologians

00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:16.779
 make the connection

00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:18.039
 that the angel of the Lord

00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.659
 is in the Old Testament

00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:21.379
 the pre-incarnate form

00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:21.819
 of Jesus,

00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.500
 the second person

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.019
 of the Trinity,

00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.220
 appearing before

00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.740
 he took on human flesh.

00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:29.500
 So God is still

00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.580
 planning on fulfilling

00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:31.680
 his promise to Israel.

00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.220
 He's still planning

00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:33.840
 on bringing them

00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.879
 to the promised land.

00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.299
 But there's something

00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:37.220
 still amiss

00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.000
 between God

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.539
 and his people.

00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.519
 As we see in the second half

00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.399
 of verse 3,

00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:42.960
 go up to a land

00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.259
 flowing with milk and honey,

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:46.659
 but I will not go up

00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.820
 among you

00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:49.960
 lest I consume you

00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.480
 on the way

00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.460
 for you are

00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:52.980
 a stiff-necked people.

00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.940
 There's a subtle

00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.720
 but important distinction here

00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.320
 between going

00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.500
 before the Israelites

00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:00.080
 to clear the land

00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:02.560
 and going among

00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.440
 the Israelites

00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.279
 to dwell there with them.

00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.980
 God is still going

00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.180
 to go before the Israelites

00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:10.100
 to drive out the enemies.

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:10.800
 He's still going

00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:11.480
 to deliver them

00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.700
 into the promised land,

00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.220
 the land flowing

00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.899
 with milk and honey

00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.620
 as he had promised

00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.800
 to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.720
 but he's not going

00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:18.300
 to go among them.

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.039
 This is an allusion

00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.460
 to Exodus 25.8

00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.180
 where God said,

00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.120
 and let them make me

00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.739
 a sanctuary

00:15:23.739 --> 00:15:25.819
 that I may dwell

00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:27.239
 in their midst.

00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.879
 The book of Exodus

00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.439
 devotes 13 chapters

00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:32.159
 to the construction

00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.079
 of the tabernacle,

00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.299
 the sanctuary of God,

00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:35.899
 because it's the climax

00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:37.479
 of God's salvation plan

00:15:37.479 --> 00:15:38.579
 for the Israelites,

00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:40.339
 not only to deliver them

00:15:40.339 --> 00:15:40.759
 from Egypt,

00:15:40.859 --> 00:15:42.500
 but to dwell among them.

00:15:43.199 --> 00:15:44.299
 But God is now saying

00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.359
 that he will not

00:15:45.359 --> 00:15:46.279
 dwell among them.

00:15:47.579 --> 00:15:48.740
 God will still take care

00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.539
 of their transportation,

00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:51.919
 but he's canceling

00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:53.599
 his own reservation.

00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.559
 While God was giving

00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.579
 Moses instructions

00:15:57.579 --> 00:15:58.519
 for the construction

00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.519
 of his dwelling place

00:15:59.519 --> 00:15:59.899
 among them,

00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:00.980
 the Israelites instead

00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.959
 constructed for themselves

00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:02.959
 this golden calf,

00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:03.419
 an idol,

00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:04.259
 in the middle

00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:04.879
 of their camp.

00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:07.599
 To continue the analogy

00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:08.480
 that I used earlier

00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.079
 of marriage

00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:10.319
 that God himself uses

00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:10.839
 in the scriptures

00:16:10.839 --> 00:16:11.399
 between God

00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:11.939
 and his people,

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.139
 it's like a wife

00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:16.079
 cheating on her husband

00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:18.080
 on their wedding day.

00:16:20.280 --> 00:16:21.220
 While the husband

00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.700
 is out purchasing furniture

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.620
 for their new home.

00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.480
 It's the equivalent

00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.580
 of what the Israelites did.

00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.240
 While God was giving

00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:28.940
 Moses instruction

00:16:28.940 --> 00:16:29.740
 for the tabernacle,

00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:30.820
 right after establishing

00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:31.340
 their covenant,

00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:34.520
 they gave themselves away,

00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.360
 prostituted themselves,

00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.860
 adulterated the camp.

00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:39.740
 So God says,

00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.360
 I will not go up among you.

00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.259
 It's like a husband

00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:45.140
 who cannot quite bring himself

00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.960
 to move into that house

00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.679
 to share the bed

00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:49.720
 that has been adulterated.

00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.939
 I will not go among you

00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.000
 lest I consume you

00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.419
 on the way

00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:55.159
 for you are a stiff-necked people.

00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.620
 That's a farming metaphor,

00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.600
 stiff-necked.

00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:00.379
 When a farmer tries

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.159
 to get an ox

00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.899
 to go the direction

00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.600
 he wants to go

00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.080
 and the ox

00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.440
 just stiffens his neck

00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:04.819
 because he doesn't

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.599
 want to move that way.

00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.779
 It's probably more familiar,

00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.660
 I guess,

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.619
 example is dogs.

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.460
 If you guys have dogs

00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.319
 and you walk dogs

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:14.660
 and you have a very untrained,

00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.779
 poorly trained dog,

00:17:16.560 --> 00:17:17.440
 the owner is supposed

00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.019
 to lead the dog

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.840
 but instead the dog

00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:19.600
 is pulling you

00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:20.340
 every which way

00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:21.160
 he wants you to go

00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.180
 with the stiffened neck.

00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:23.920
 So imagine the Israelites

00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:24.480
 that way.

00:17:24.580 --> 00:17:25.800
 That's what they are.

00:17:26.320 --> 00:17:27.640
 They're stiff-necked people,

00:17:27.820 --> 00:17:29.060
 stubborn and willful,

00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:31.140
 unsubmitted to the will of God.

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.900
 And the Israelites

00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.540
 recognize in verses 4 to 6

00:17:35.540 --> 00:17:36.400
 that God's refusal

00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.460
 to dwell among them

00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.980
 is a disastrous word,

00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:39.400
 they say.

00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.840
 So they mourn

00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.660
 and in response

00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.820
 to God's command

00:17:42.820 --> 00:17:43.640
 to take off

00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:44.300
 their ornaments,

00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:45.160
 they strip themselves

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.200
 of all ornaments,

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.460
 jewelry, rings.

00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:51.220
 This is a sadly symbolic act

00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.200
 in a number of levels

00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:53.680
 because if you remember,

00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.240
 first,

00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.460
 when God delivered

00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.680
 the Israelites from Egypt,

00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.060
 he instructed them

00:17:58.060 --> 00:17:59.440
 to ask the Egyptian neighbors

00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.580
 for their silver

00:18:00.580 --> 00:18:01.380
 and gold jewelry

00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:02.759
 and in doing so,

00:18:02.820 --> 00:18:03.800
 they plundered the Egyptians

00:18:03.800 --> 00:18:05.080
 and stripped them

00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:06.500
 of their ornaments.

00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:07.740
 But now,

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.560
 the Israelites

00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:09.940
 have also been stripped

00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.820
 of their ornaments

00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:11.600
 like the Egyptians.

00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.160
 They've been reduced

00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.759
 to the state

00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.299
 of the Egyptians.

00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:15.680
 Second,

00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.460
 as we see later

00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.580
 in Exodus 35, 22,

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.140
 the Israelites

00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.600
 were supposed to bring

00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:20.640
 their brooches

00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.460
 and earrings

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.279
 and signet rings

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.960
 and armlets,

00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.880
 all sorts of gold objects

00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.640
 for what?

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:27.059
 As an offering

00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.600
 to the Lord

00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:29.400
 so that it may be used

00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:30.059
 for the construction

00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.900
 of the tabernacle.

00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:32.880
 But instead,

00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:35.759
 they used their golden rings

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.140
 in Exodus 32

00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.279
 to build the idol,

00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.460
 the golden calf.

00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:43.039
 So the stripping

00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.660
 of the ornaments

00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.840
 is a reminder

00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:45.620
 to the Israelites

00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.500
 of their sin

00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.640
 and of how low

00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.500
 they have fallen.

00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.380
 Yahweh no longer

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.580
 dwells among them.

00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:53.480
 Dwelling among them

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.440
 is a disastrous word,

00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.700
 but there is actually

00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.320
 a mercy

00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:58.799
 in this disaster

00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:00.160
 because not only

00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.940
 is God still going

00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.840
 to go before them

00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:02.299
 to bring them

00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.360
 into the promised land,

00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:05.279
 it's actually merciful

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:05.900
 of God

00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:07.380
 to not go up

00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:07.820
 with them

00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.519
 in their midst.

00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:10.400
 Why?

00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.120
 Because he says

00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:11.820
 in verse 5,

00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.660
 you are a stiff-necked

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.160
 people.

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.799
 If for a single moment

00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:18.120
 I should go up

00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.700
 among you,

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.320
 I would consume you.

00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.880
 If God

00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:24.160
 in all his glory

00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:25.000
 and holiness

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.759
 would dwell

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.480
 among these

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.920
 adulterous Israelites,

00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.660
 his righteous wrath

00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.880
 would consume them

00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.120
 in a single moment.

00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:33.639
 So God

00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.299
 is actually

00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.139
 mercifully

00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:36.159
 sparing them

00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:37.299
 by not dwelling

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:37.939
 among them.

00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.319
 Sometimes

00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:41.779
 non-Christians

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.799
 say to me,

00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:42.979
 well,

00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.779
 why doesn't God

00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.679
 just come

00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:45.319
 and show himself

00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:45.939
 right now

00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:47.439
 so that I would

00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:47.939
 believe in him

00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:48.599
 and follow him?

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.019
 Because

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.019
 God is being

00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.139
 merciful to you.

00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.619
 Because

00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.479
 you have rebelled

00:19:57.479 --> 00:19:58.179
 against him,

00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:00.639
 unfaithful to him,

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.680
 because you have been

00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.480
 adulterous

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.520
 and idolatrous,

00:20:04.060 --> 00:20:05.600
 loving other things

00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:06.440
 more than God,

00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.900
 living for yourself

00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.240
 rather than for God.

00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.320
 Because

00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:11.759
 if for a single moment

00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.380
 he should go up

00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:12.900
 among you,

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.180
 he would consume you.

00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.660
 We so quickly

00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.520
 forget the judgment

00:20:17.520 --> 00:20:19.000
 that all sinful

00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.820
 humanity is under.

00:20:21.540 --> 00:20:22.060
 That's why

00:20:22.060 --> 00:20:23.020
 1 Peter 3, 9

00:20:23.020 --> 00:20:23.220
 says,

00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:23.860
 the Lord is not

00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.940
 slow to fulfill

00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.820
 his promise

00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:27.180
 as some count slowness,

00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.820
 but is patient

00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.560
 toward you,

00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.940
 not wishing

00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.039
 that any should perish,

00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:32.879
 but that all should

00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:33.899
 reach repentance.

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.659
 Why doesn't God

00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:37.579
 just show up now?

00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.159
 Because he is being

00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:39.859
 patient

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:41.599
 toward the people.

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.740
 Because he wants

00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.700
 to give you time

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.339
 to repent,

00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.179
 to turn from your sins

00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:46.940
 and toward him

00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.919
 in faith and obedience

00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:49.599
 so that you might

00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.599
 not perish.

00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.859
 Believers and

00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.879
 unbelievers like today

00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:55.039
 enjoy many of God's

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.819
 general blessings.

00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:56.779
 That's what we call

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.619
 common grace.

00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:59.339
 He gives us

00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:00.259
 all food to eat,

00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:02.379
 places to live,

00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:03.919
 sunshine in the morning,

00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.659
 rain for water.

00:21:06.239 --> 00:21:07.119
 He gives us families.

00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:08.859
 He gives us

00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.459
 our talents

00:21:09.459 --> 00:21:10.179
 and abilities.

00:21:10.879 --> 00:21:11.739
 He supplies

00:21:11.739 --> 00:21:12.559
 the very air

00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.500
 that we breathe.

00:21:14.719 --> 00:21:15.799
 And this kindness

00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.319
 of God

00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:16.959
 is supposed to

00:21:16.959 --> 00:21:18.000
 lead us to repentance.

00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.479
 Romans 2, 45

00:21:20.479 --> 00:21:20.759
 says,

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.720
 or do you presume

00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.500
 on the riches

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.500
 of his kindness

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.420
 and forbearance

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.359
 and patience,

00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.960
 not knowing

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.980
 that God's kindness

00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.759
 is meant to lead you

00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.379
 to repentance,

00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.460
 but because of

00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.140
 your hard and

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.920
 impenitent heart,

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.819
 you are storing up

00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.640
 wrath for yourself

00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.480
 on the day of wrath

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.259
 when God's righteous

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.359
 judgment will be revealed.

00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.980
 Are you enjoying

00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:42.259
 the blessings of God

00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.059
 without worshiping

00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.599
 God himself?

00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:46.980
 Do you love

00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.579
 the gifts

00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:49.500
 more than the giver

00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:51.319
 of all good gifts?

00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.419
 Are you fine

00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.500
 with enjoying

00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:54.959
 the land

00:21:54.959 --> 00:21:55.959
 flowing with milk

00:21:55.959 --> 00:21:56.339
 and honey

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.359
 apart from God

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.779
 himself?

00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:01.399
 If you could enjoy

00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:02.159
 all the pleasures

00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:03.219
 of this life,

00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.079
 of this world,

00:22:04.219 --> 00:22:05.000
 all the money,

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.679
 all the sex,

00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:08.359
 all the pleasures,

00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.539
 all the success

00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.399
 and recognition,

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:13.259
 but you could

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.440
 never have God

00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.480
 for himself,

00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.560
 would you take

00:22:16.560 --> 00:22:17.200
 that exchange?

00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:22.040
 If your answer

00:22:22.040 --> 00:22:22.440
 is yes,

00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.080
 then you are not

00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:23.519
 a Christian

00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:26.900
 because a Christian

00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:28.080
 is he who forsakes

00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:28.560
 the world

00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.800
 to gain his soul.

00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.460
 What good

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.220
 is a honeymoon

00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.980
 without the bridegroom?

00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.860
 What good

00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:39.060
 is heaven itself

00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:40.140
 apart from

00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.640
 the loving

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.620
 presence of God?

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.640
 17th century

00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.340
 English poet

00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.120
 John Milton

00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:46.920
 put it this way,

00:22:47.040 --> 00:22:48.560
 thy presence

00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:50.500
 makes our paradise

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:52.700
 and where thou art

00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.700
 is heaven.

00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.720
 17th century

00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.620
 Scottish pastor

00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.440
 Samuel Rutherford

00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.020
 said this,

00:22:59.120 --> 00:22:59.900
 oh my Lord

00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.820
 Jesus Christ,

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.520
 if I could be

00:23:02.520 --> 00:23:02.880
 in heaven

00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:03.660
 without thee,

00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.580
 it would be

00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:05.060
 a hell

00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:07.020
 and if I could

00:23:07.020 --> 00:23:07.660
 be in hell

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.960
 and have thee still,

00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.200
 it would be

00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:11.240
 a heaven to me

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.980
 for thou art

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.019
 all the heaven

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.059
 I want.

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.240
 That's the new heavens

00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.840
 and the earth.

00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.440
 Nothing less

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.059
 than God

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.720
 dwelling

00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:23.299
 with us,

00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.120
 making his dwelling

00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:25.240
 place among us

00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.440
 so that we are his people

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.539
 and he himself

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.440
 is our God.

00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.860
 Brothers and sisters,

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.519
 that's what heaven

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.319
 is.

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.240
 Our eternal destiny

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.220
 is to enjoy

00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.539
 and cherish God

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:36.960
 forever.

00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.720
 Are you

00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.279
 enjoying a foretaste

00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.920
 of God

00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.539
 here and now?

00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.259
 Or is something

00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.140
 other than God

00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.740
 your chief

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.539
 enjoyment?

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.380
 Even though God

00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.460
 is mercifully

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.819
 sparing the Israelites,

00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.460
 his absence

00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.120
 is ultimately

00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.779
 a disaster

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.160
 and things

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.039
 cannot be left

00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.339
 alone like this.

00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:00.819
 Israelites

00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.839
 need a mediator.

00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.420
 They need

00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.240
 an intercessor

00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.960
 to come between

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.600
 them and God

00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.980
 to bridge the gap,

00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:07.740
 the distance.

00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:09.160
 Thankfully,

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.960
 God has appointed

00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.980
 Moses for this

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.060
 precise purpose

00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:13.700
 and verses 7 to 11

00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.279
 give us some

00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.660
 background information

00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.440
 about how Moses

00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.440
 used to talk

00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.039
 with God

00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.660
 and commune

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.120
 with him

00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.660
 as a mediator.

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.539
 He says in verse 7,

00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:36.440
 Notice how many

00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.399
 times this verse

00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:38.200
 tells us that this

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:39.599
 tent was outside

00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.940
 the Israelite camp,

00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:43.220
 far off from the

00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.460
 camp.

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.899
 This is intentional,

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.960
 lest we confuse

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:47.519
 this tent of meeting

00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.119
 with the tabernacle,

00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.779
 which has not yet

00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.519
 been constructed

00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:53.720
 because the tabernacle

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.740
 is also at various

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.500
 places in Exodus

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.259
 called the tent

00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.720
 of meeting.

00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.039
 According to

00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.619
 Numbers 2,

00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.539
 the tabernacle,

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.299
 the one that's not

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.779
 built yet,

00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.720
 the official one,

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.639
 it occupies the

00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.200
 very center

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.160
 of the Israelite

00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.740
 camp,

00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.000
 like the king

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.899
 who sits in the

00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.720
 middle of his people.

00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.220
 To the east

00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.700
 and south

00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.119
 and west

00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.500
 and north,

00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.660
 it's flanked

00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.139
 by the people

00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.539
 of God.

00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.180
 It's right at the

00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.420
 center.

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.240
 But this tent

00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.579
 of meeting

00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:18.019
 is outside the

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.240
 camp,

00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.139
 far off from the

00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:19.319
 camp.

00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:19.920
 This is not

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.660
 the tabernacle

00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.100
 that God

00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:21.740
 commends Moses

00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.279
 and the Israelites

00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.840
 to build.

00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:23.880
 Rather,

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.740
 it's a makeshift

00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.580
 tent that Moses

00:25:25.580 --> 00:25:26.480
 was in the habit

00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.380
 of using to meet

00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:27.880
 with God

00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:29.100
 before the construction

00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.000
 of the tabernacle.

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.019
 It's not a tent

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.920
 designed for God

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.620
 to dwell in.

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.320
 It's only a temporary

00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:36.039
 tent where God

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.060
 would meet with Moses

00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:38.340
 and speak to him.

00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:39.779
 And so,

00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.519
 the mention

00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.360
 of this tent

00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:43.019
 here is a tragic

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.620
 reminder of the

00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.680
 alienation between

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.539
 God and Israel

00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.060
 due to their

00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:47.660
 idolatry.

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:49.900
 God's plan

00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.880
 was to move

00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.800
 inside,

00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:53.100
 into the camp,

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.300
 to dwell among

00:25:54.300 --> 00:25:54.600
 them,

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.480
 right at the

00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:55.800
 center.

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.180
 But that plan

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.680
 is scrapped

00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:57.960
 now.

00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.440
 Now they're back

00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.800
 to the way

00:25:59.800 --> 00:26:00.480
 things used to

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:00.660
 be.

00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.300
 The holy God

00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:02.920
 cannot dwell

00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.600
 among a sinful

00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.060
 people.

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.160
 So he meets

00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:05.600
 with Moses

00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.480
 outside the

00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:06.759
 camp,

00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.180
 far off from

00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:08.620
 the camp,

00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:09.800
 away from the

00:26:09.800 --> 00:26:10.540
 defiling sins

00:26:10.540 --> 00:26:11.060
 of his people.

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:13.639
 But Moses,

00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.879
 as God's

00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.679
 chosen mediator,

00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.079
 enjoyed intimate

00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.759
 fellowship with

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.019
 God.

00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.099
 He says in

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:20.039
 verses 9 to 11,

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.000
 when Moses

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.659
 entered the

00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:21.879
 tent,

00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.639
 the pillar of

00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.059
 cloud would

00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.619
 descend and

00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.200
 stand at the

00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.759
 entrance of the

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:24.980
 tent.

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.000
 And the Lord

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.899
 would speak with

00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:27.279
 Moses.

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.139
 And when all

00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.799
 the people saw

00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.259
 the pillar of

00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.919
 cloud standing

00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:30.440
 at the entrance

00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:30.960
 of the tent,

00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.599
 all the people

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.440
 would rise up

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.079
 and worship

00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.980
 each at his

00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.659
 tent door.

00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.799
 Thus,

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.700
 the Lord used

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.379
 to speak to

00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.539
 Moses face to

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:40.179
 face as a man

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.220
 speaks to his

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.720
 friend.

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.080
 When Moses

00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.940
 turned again

00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.600
 into the camp,

00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.140
 his assistant

00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.519
 Joshua,

00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.019
 the son of

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.140
 Nun,

00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.799
 a young man

00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.340
 would not

00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:49.120
 depart from

00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:49.500
 the tent.

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.460
 The pillar of

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.240
 cloud is the

00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.980
 manifestation of

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.019
 God's presence.

00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.420
 It's a reflection,

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.960
 an expression of

00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.640
 his glory.

00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.400
 So when the

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:02.320
 pillar of cloud

00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:03.000
 stands at the

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.519
 entrance of the

00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:03.759
 tent,

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.820
 notice that God

00:27:04.820 --> 00:27:05.240
 doesn't actually

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.019
 enter the tent,

00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.100
 from there the

00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:08.320
 Lord speaks with

00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:09.420
 Moses face to

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.120
 face as a

00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:10.939
 man speaks to

00:27:10.939 --> 00:27:11.539
 his friend.

00:27:12.459 --> 00:27:13.399
 It's a stunning

00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.859
 description of

00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.599
 Moses' relationship

00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.079
 with God.

00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:17.919
 The expression

00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.879
 face to face,

00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:19.439
 we have to note

00:27:19.439 --> 00:27:19.639
 here,

00:27:19.739 --> 00:27:20.699
 doesn't literally

00:27:20.699 --> 00:27:21.479
 mean that Moses

00:27:21.479 --> 00:27:22.579
 saw God's face.

00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:23.939
 We know this

00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:24.639
 because later in

00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.819
 verses 17 to 20,

00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.419
 Moses asks God,

00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.219
 please show me

00:27:28.219 --> 00:27:28.619
 your glory,

00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.179
 and God

00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:30.159
 specifically tells

00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.299
 him,

00:27:30.459 --> 00:27:31.259
 you cannot see

00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:31.939
 my face,

00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.059
 for man shall

00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.719
 not see me

00:27:33.719 --> 00:27:34.199
 and live.

00:27:35.459 --> 00:27:35.819
 Similarly,

00:27:36.219 --> 00:27:37.719
 in Deuteronomy 5,

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.019
 4,

00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.739
 when it describes

00:27:38.739 --> 00:27:39.699
 how God spoke

00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.620
 to the Israelites

00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.420
 out of the

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.940
 mountain,

00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.400
 the fiery

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:45.400
 mountain in

00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:45.940
 Mount Horeb,

00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.360
 it says that

00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:47.019
 the Lord spoke

00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:48.059
 with you face

00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.039
 to face at the

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.380
 mountain,

00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.519
 even though we

00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.360
 are told earlier

00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.160
 in Deuteronomy 4,

00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.539
 12,

00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.500
 that clearly that

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.920
 they did not see

00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:56.160
 God's form,

00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.299
 or they did not

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.700
 see,

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.740
 or they only heard

00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.420
 his voice.

00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.880
 So clearly the

00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.720
 expression face to

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.580
 face is not

00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.059
 literal,

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.340
 rather it means

00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.440
 person to person.

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:07.039
 it's a figurative

00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.460
 way,

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.660
 like when we

00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.180
 speak of

00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.360
 seeing someone

00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:11.539
 eye to eye,

00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.539
 we don't mean

00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.880
 that literally

00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.360
 you're staring

00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:13.940
 at each other's

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.200
 eyes,

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.759
 rather we mean

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.100
 that we're in

00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.440
 agreement.

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.700
 So it's a

00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.360
 figurative way

00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.100
 face to face

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.080
 here of saying

00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.220
 that God spoke

00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.720
 with Moses

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:22.340
 personally and

00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:22.940
 directly.

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.259
 This sets

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.019
 Moses apart

00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:27.200
 from the other

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.259
 prophets of old.

00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.340
 Numbers 12,

00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:29.880
 68,

00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:31.000
 after Miriam

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.960
 and Aaron

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.840
 oppose Moses,

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.600
 rebel against

00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:33.840
 him,

00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.100
 God defends

00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.360
 his special

00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:37.200
 favorite servant

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.660
 this way.

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.040
 He says,

00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.260
 hear my words.

00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.580
 If there is a

00:28:40.580 --> 00:28:41.380
 prophet among you,

00:28:41.800 --> 00:28:42.420
 I, the Lord,

00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.280
 make myself known

00:28:43.280 --> 00:28:43.840
 to him in a

00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.100
 vision.

00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.020
 I speak with him

00:28:45.020 --> 00:28:45.640
 in a dream,

00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:47.180
 not so with my

00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.900
 servant Moses.

00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.600
 He is faithful

00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:50.680
 in all my house.

00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:52.060
 With him I speak

00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:53.020
 mouth to mouth

00:28:53.020 --> 00:28:54.600
 clearly and not

00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.160
 in riddles.

00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.020
 And he beholds

00:28:57.020 --> 00:28:57.580
 the form of the

00:28:57.580 --> 00:28:57.800
 Lord.

00:28:58.260 --> 00:28:59.000
 Why then were you

00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.680
 not afraid to

00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:00.279
 speak against

00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.840
 my servant

00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.279
 Moses?

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.820
 So Moses

00:29:02.820 --> 00:29:03.460
 enjoyed a

00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.259
 special favor

00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.299
 with God

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.019
 and set the

00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.799
 standard really

00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.500
 for all the

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.019
 Old Testament

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.560
 prophets.

00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.200
 The Israelites

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.940
 have sinned

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.560
 against God

00:29:11.560 --> 00:29:11.900
 and have

00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.860
 alienated him

00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:14.820
 but Moses

00:29:14.820 --> 00:29:15.620
 is a friend

00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.060
 of God.

00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.620
 Maybe Moses

00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.400
 can mediate

00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:20.799
 on their

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.220
 behalf.

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.000
 Maybe Moses

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.700
 can speak to

00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.539
 God on their

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.220
 behalf.

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.100
 Verses 7 to 11

00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:28.240
 are building

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.900
 that, that

00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.620
 suspense

00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.980
 in preparation

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.400
 for the

00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:31.920
 verses that

00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.420
 follow and

00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:32.759
 especially

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.640
 chapter 34

00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:34.400
 1 to 9

00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.780
 which we'll

00:29:34.780 --> 00:29:35.280
 talk of,

00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.140
 speak of next

00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.580
 week.

00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.640
 But will

00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.860
 Moses succeed

00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.740
 in his

00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:41.320
 intercessory work?

00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:42.700
 That's what we

00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.160
 see in verses

00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:44.300
 12 to 23.

00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.500
 Moses said to

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.920
 the Lord in

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.440
 verse 12,

00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.759
 See, you say

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.360
 to me,

00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.600
 bring up this

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:49.980
 people,

00:29:50.840 --> 00:29:51.460
 but you have

00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.380
 not let me

00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:53.120
 know whom you

00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.600
 will send

00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.460
 with me.

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.800
 Yet you have

00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:56.519
 said, I know

00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.240
 you by name

00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:57.620
 and you have

00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.120
 also found

00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:58.779
 favor in

00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.380
 my sight.

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.960
 Moses is

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.640
 here citing

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.740
 God's command

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.220
 to him in

00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.759
 verse 1.

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.420
 God told him,

00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.140
 go up from

00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:06.140
 here, you

00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.700
 and the

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.759
 people whom

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.400
 you have

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.900
 brought up

00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.220
 from the

00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:09.940
 land of

00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.220
 Egypt.

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.799
 God has

00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.259
 told them

00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.660
 that while

00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.160
 the angels

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.559
 of the Lord

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.059
 will go

00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.740
 before them,

00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.480
 that he

00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:15.839
 will not

00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.160
 go up

00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:16.960
 among them

00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.220
 or with

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.740
 them.

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.380
 So Moses

00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:20.839
 is pushing

00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.420
 back here

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:21.980
 in a very

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.640
 deferential

00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:22.920
 way.

00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:24.039
 God, you

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.580
 want me to

00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:24.960
 bring this

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.440
 people into

00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:25.880
 the promised

00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:27.140
 land, but

00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:27.480
 do you

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.279
 really expect

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.880
 me to do

00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.420
 that without

00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.440
 your presence

00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:30.800
 in our

00:30:30.800 --> 00:30:31.120
 midst?

00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:32.740
 Surely you

00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.080
 will send

00:30:33.080 --> 00:30:33.740
 someone to

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.320
 go with

00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:34.720
 me, right?

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.320
 And by

00:30:36.320 --> 00:30:36.860
 this, Moses

00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.259
 is implying

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.500
 that he

00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.300
 wants Yahweh

00:30:38.300 --> 00:30:38.920
 himself to

00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.279
 come with

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.460
 him.

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.400
 Didn't you

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:40.880
 say to me,

00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.380
 God, I

00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:41.880
 know you

00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.360
 by name,

00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.039
 that you

00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.519
 have found

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.440
 favor in

00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:44.960
 my sight?

00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:46.880
 Moses

00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.539
 continues in

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.019
 verse 13,

00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:48.680
 now therefore,

00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.240
 if I have

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.300
 found favor in

00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:50.880
 your sight,

00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:51.720
 please show me

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.100
 now your

00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:52.420
 ways.

00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.279
 That I may

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.740
 know you in

00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.060
 order to

00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:54.840
 find favor

00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.380
 in your

00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:55.680
 sight.

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.940
 Consider, too,

00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:57.960
 that this

00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:59.440
 nation is

00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.420
 your people.

00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.600
 Moses is

00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.420
 very ingratiating

00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:03.680
 in his

00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.340
 dialogue with

00:31:04.340 --> 00:31:04.960
 Yahweh as

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.539
 he should be,

00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.259
 and he's

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.820
 saying, in

00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:07.740
 effect, if I

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.140
 have really

00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.820
 found favor

00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:09.100
 in your

00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:09.880
 eyes, then

00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.440
 please show

00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.220
 me what you

00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.740
 intend to

00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:11.980
 do.

00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:12.480
 Show me

00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.160
 your plans,

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:15.140
 that I may

00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:16.180
 really know I

00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.620
 have your

00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:16.940
 favor.

00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:18.759
 And, by

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.100
 the way,

00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.420
 please remember

00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:20.980
 that this

00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.240
 nation is

00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.960
 your people.

00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.240
 Remember what

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.019
 God said earlier

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.620
 in verse 1,

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.519
 go up from

00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.059
 here, you

00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.359
 and the

00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:28.900
 people whom

00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.400
 you have

00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.740
 brought up

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.019
 from the

00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.460
 land of

00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:30.740
 Egypt.

00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.859
 Prior to

00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.819
 Exodus 32,

00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:34.559
 God always

00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.220
 refers to

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.920
 Israel as

00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:37.099
 my people.

00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.019
 And he

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.859
 says, I am

00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.299
 the Lord your

00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.599
 God who

00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:39.960
 brought you

00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.279
 out of the

00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:40.559
 land of

00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:40.859
 Egypt.

00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.220
 But after

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.480
 their idolatry,

00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.519
 because they

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.620
 set an idol up

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.279
 in the place

00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:46.700
 of God,

00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.839
 after that

00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.579
 point, and

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.160
 as you can

00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.680
 see here,

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.580
 God refers

00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:50.940
 to his

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.840
 people instead

00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.680
 as your

00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.519
 people, your

00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.180
 people, Moses,

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.080
 that you

00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:55.519
 brought out

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:55.700
 of the

00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.019
 land of

00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.320
 Egypt.

00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.500
 It shows

00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.140
 how Israel's

00:31:59.140 --> 00:31:59.779
 idolatry has

00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.759
 alienated God

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.500
 so that he's

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.060
 now distant

00:32:02.060 --> 00:32:02.540
 from them.

00:32:03.300 --> 00:32:03.800
 And Moses

00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:04.580
 gently pushes

00:32:04.580 --> 00:32:05.220
 back on this

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.519
 notion.

00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.220
 He's reminding

00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:06.800
 God, remember

00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:07.920
 God, this

00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.420
 nation is

00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.240
 your people,

00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.960
 not mine.

00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:11.820
 And God

00:32:11.820 --> 00:32:12.759
 responds favorably

00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.220
 to Moses'

00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.220
 request to

00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:14.920
 go with him.

00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:16.040
 He says in

00:32:16.040 --> 00:32:16.560
 verse 14,

00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.079
 my presence

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.759
 will go

00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.779
 with you

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.819
 and I

00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.359
 will give

00:32:20.359 --> 00:32:21.319
 you rest.

00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.359
 But the

00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.139
 you here is

00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:23.579
 singular.

00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:24.859
 God's saying

00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.359
 I will go

00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:25.799
 with you,

00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:27.440
 Moses, not

00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:27.879
 with the

00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:28.139
 people.

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.440
 It's still

00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:31.859
 a favorable

00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:33.240
 response to

00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:33.740
 what Moses

00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.259
 was initially

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:34.940
 requesting, so

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.440
 Moses is

00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.419
 emboldened to

00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:37.039
 press the

00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.579
 matter even

00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.119
 further in

00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:38.740
 verses 15

00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.240
 to 16.

00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.379
 As I read

00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:40.639
 it, please

00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.099
 pay attention

00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.460
 to the

00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:41.799
 personal

00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.599
 pronouns as

00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.039
 I read

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.919
 verses 15

00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:44.419
 to 16.

00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.960
 If your

00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.620
 presence will

00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:47.180
 not go

00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:49.080
 with me, do

00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:49.940
 not bring us

00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.880
 up from here.

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:52.440
 For how shall

00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:52.820
 it be known

00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:53.519
 that I have

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.259
 found favor in

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.200
 your sight, I

00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.140
 and your

00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.600
 people?

00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.320
 Is it not in

00:32:58.320 --> 00:32:58.920
 your going

00:32:58.920 --> 00:33:00.880
 with us so

00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:01.920
 that we are

00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:03.060
 distinct, I

00:33:03.060 --> 00:33:03.740
 and your

00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.700
 people, from

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.240
 every other

00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.880
 people on the

00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.360
 face of the

00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:06.600
 earth?

00:33:08.060 --> 00:33:09.039
 So Moses is

00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.680
 not trying to

00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.160
 confirm his

00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.800
 own favor

00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:11.660
 status with

00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:11.980
 God.

00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.400
 He's already

00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:12.940
 been assured

00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.320
 of that.

00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:14.240
 He's trying

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.939
 to leverage

00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:15.519
 his favor

00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.319
 status with

00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:16.700
 God to

00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.619
 bring God's

00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:18.079
 favor to

00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.639
 bear upon

00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.519
 the rest of

00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:19.939
 the nation

00:33:19.939 --> 00:33:20.379
 of Israel.

00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:23.439
 Here is

00:33:23.439 --> 00:33:23.939
 Moses, the

00:33:23.939 --> 00:33:24.279
 man who

00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:24.779
 speaks with

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.399
 God face

00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:25.980
 to face,

00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.839
 pleading for

00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.759
 God's presence,

00:33:28.939 --> 00:33:29.399
 which literally

00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.960
 in this passage

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.659
 in Hebrew is

00:33:30.659 --> 00:33:31.460
 God's face.

00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:33.759
 Moses is

00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.240
 saying, God,

00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:35.240
 what distinguishes

00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.059
 us from these

00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.839
 other nations on

00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.460
 earth is not

00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.259
 some good piece

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.059
 of real estate.

00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.500
 It's not our

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.419
 military victories.

00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.859
 It's you,

00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:44.379
 Yahweh, your

00:33:44.379 --> 00:33:45.039
 presence.

00:33:45.879 --> 00:33:46.939
 How else can

00:33:46.939 --> 00:33:47.819
 we know that

00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:48.379
 we have your

00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:50.019
 favor apart from

00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.779
 your presence

00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.619
 among us?

00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.639
 Please go with

00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:54.259
 us.

00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.000
 And God

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.659
 remarkably says

00:33:57.659 --> 00:33:58.119
 yes.

00:33:59.699 --> 00:34:00.439
 He says in

00:34:00.439 --> 00:34:01.099
 verse 17,

00:34:01.459 --> 00:34:02.500
 this very thing

00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.059
 that you have

00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:04.219
 spoken, I will

00:34:04.219 --> 00:34:05.639
 do, for you

00:34:05.639 --> 00:34:06.539
 have found favor

00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.519
 in my sight,

00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:08.579
 and I know

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.619
 your name.

00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.940
 God's

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:10.960
 God.

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.460
 This is such a

00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.619
 gracious condescension

00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.119
 from God.

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:15.079
 The usual

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.779
 course is for

00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.559
 God to speak

00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.079
 and then for

00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.619
 people to

00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.599
 listen and to

00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.119
 do what he

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.059
 told them to

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.259
 do.

00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.219
 But here,

00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.779
 Moses speaks,

00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.019
 and then the

00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:25.279
 king grants his

00:34:25.279 --> 00:34:26.480
 favored servant's

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:26.920
 request.

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.039
 This very thing

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.940
 you have spoken,

00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:31.179
 I will do.

00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:32.880
 Christian

00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.259
 brothers and

00:34:33.259 --> 00:34:34.079
 sisters, this is

00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:34.880
 the privilege that

00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:36.839
 we now enjoy in

00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:37.340
 Christ.

00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.480
 Because Jesus

00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.780
 made a way for

00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.320
 us to be

00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:42.280
 reconciled with

00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:42.940
 God instead of

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.500
 being enemies,

00:34:44.140 --> 00:34:44.660
 Jesus said, I

00:34:44.660 --> 00:34:45.440
 have now called

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.300
 you, my

00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:46.960
 friends.

00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.480
 So we can now

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.220
 approach God's

00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:51.940
 very throne of

00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.680
 grace and bring

00:34:52.680 --> 00:34:54.320
 our petitions to

00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.500
 him, and because

00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.519
 we are in Christ

00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.000
 and we're no

00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.920
 longer merely a

00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:59.960
 servant, but in

00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:01.680
 God's son, we can

00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:02.420
 be assured that

00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.120
 God will look upon

00:35:03.120 --> 00:35:03.800
 us with favor.

00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:06.200
 Hebrews 3 tells

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.939
 us that Jesus,

00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.899
 the apostle and

00:35:07.899 --> 00:35:08.879
 high priest of our

00:35:08.879 --> 00:35:09.519
 confession, was

00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.399
 faithful to God

00:35:10.399 --> 00:35:11.299
 who appointed him

00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:12.460
 just as Moses also

00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.759
 was faithful in all

00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.319
 God's house.

00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.960
 For Jesus has been

00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.759
 counted worthy of

00:35:16.759 --> 00:35:17.859
 more glory than

00:35:17.859 --> 00:35:19.719
 Moses, as much

00:35:19.719 --> 00:35:20.980
 more glory as the

00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.679
 builder of a house

00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:22.439
 has more honor than

00:35:22.439 --> 00:35:23.139
 the house itself.

00:35:23.779 --> 00:35:24.639
 Now Moses was

00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.279
 faithful in all

00:35:25.279 --> 00:35:26.119
 God's house as a

00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:27.759
 servant to testify

00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:29.319
 to the house, to

00:35:29.319 --> 00:35:29.879
 testify to the

00:35:29.879 --> 00:35:30.559
 things that were to

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.359
 be spoken later.

00:35:31.819 --> 00:35:32.919
 But Christ is

00:35:32.919 --> 00:35:34.039
 faithful over God's

00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:35.579
 house as a son.

00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:37.379
 And we are his

00:35:37.379 --> 00:35:38.339
 house if indeed we

00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:39.079
 hold fast our

00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:40.899
 confidence and are

00:35:40.899 --> 00:35:41.639
 boasting in our

00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:42.000
 hope.

00:35:42.859 --> 00:35:44.159
 In Jesus Christ, we

00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:45.399
 have even greater

00:35:45.399 --> 00:35:47.019
 confidence than the

00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:47.919
 Israelites had in

00:35:47.919 --> 00:35:49.199
 their mediator, Moses,

00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:51.779
 because as favored as

00:35:51.779 --> 00:35:52.839
 Moses was, he was

00:35:52.839 --> 00:35:53.939
 merely a servant of

00:35:53.939 --> 00:35:54.239
 God.

00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:56.199
 But Jesus is God's

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.719
 beloved son, his

00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:58.559
 only son.

00:35:59.219 --> 00:36:01.399
 Who has more clout in

00:36:01.399 --> 00:36:03.279
 the king's household?

00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:05.960
 A servant or a son?

00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:07.560
 The heir.

00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.920
 And that's what we

00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:11.800
 have access to in

00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.680
 Jesus because we are

00:36:12.680 --> 00:36:13.640
 his son.

00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:15.220
 We are his children in

00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:15.640
 Christ.

00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:18.240
 To the unbelieving

00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:19.160
 friends among us, do

00:36:19.160 --> 00:36:20.600
 you feel alienated from

00:36:20.600 --> 00:36:20.920
 God?

00:36:22.140 --> 00:36:23.380
 Do you not know his

00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:24.260
 gracious presence?

00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:27.480
 Have your sins driven

00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:28.600
 God far from you?

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:31.159
 Have you turned the

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.339
 blessings and gifts

00:36:32.339 --> 00:36:33.759
 that God has given you

00:36:33.759 --> 00:36:35.279
 into idols that have

00:36:35.279 --> 00:36:36.719
 displaced God from your

00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:37.539
 heart and from your

00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:37.880
 life?

00:36:39.339 --> 00:36:40.699
 Then you must strip

00:36:40.699 --> 00:36:42.139
 yourself of the

00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:45.139
 ornaments and cling to

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.579
 Jesus.

00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:49.460
 Plead with God to

00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.719
 intercede on your

00:36:50.719 --> 00:36:51.159
 behalf.

00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:53.719
 If God listened to his

00:36:53.719 --> 00:36:54.360
 favorite servant,

00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:55.420
 Moses, then he will

00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:56.860
 certainly listen to his

00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:58.139
 favorite son, Jesus,

00:36:58.139 --> 00:36:59.139
 on your account.

00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:02.179
 You can be restored to

00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:02.960
 the presence of God.

00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:05.420
 You can be indwelled by

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.639
 the very spirit of God

00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:08.359
 and many of us here can

00:37:08.359 --> 00:37:09.639
 attest to that reality.

00:37:10.859 --> 00:37:13.099
 You can be forgiven and

00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:14.179
 reconciled to God.

00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:15.539
 You must only turn to

00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:17.259
 Jesus and put all your

00:37:17.259 --> 00:37:18.299
 faith in him.

00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:23.360
 The only reason why God

00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:24.640
 can actually grant Moses'

00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:27.280
 request here and dwell

00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:28.160
 among them again, though

00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:29.260
 they have sinned against

00:37:29.260 --> 00:37:30.640
 him, is because he looks

00:37:30.640 --> 00:37:31.900
 ahead to what Jesus will

00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:33.600
 do, making atonement for

00:37:33.600 --> 00:37:34.800
 the sins of his people on

00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:35.300
 the cross.

00:37:36.140 --> 00:37:38.519
 Moses could only win the

00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.800
 temporary suspension of

00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:41.480
 God's righteous wrath, but

00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:43.360
 Jesus, the son, pays the

00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:45.519
 penalty for our sins once and

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:48.500
 for all, to do away with

00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.539
 the wrath of God forever.

00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:52.780
 So receiving God's

00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:53.920
 affirmative answer, Moses

00:37:53.920 --> 00:37:55.199
 makes one final request in

00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:55.820
 verse 18.

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.579
 Please, show me your

00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:57.980
 glory.

00:37:57.980 --> 00:38:01.559
 Undoubtedly, Moses yearned

00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:03.000
 for a deeper knowledge of

00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:04.740
 God and a deeper encounter

00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:06.539
 with God, but that's not

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.840
 all that's going on in this

00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:08.300
 request.

00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:11.679
 In Exodus 24, when God first

00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.860
 made his covenant with his

00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:14.760
 people Israel, with Moses

00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:16.740
 mediating, Yahweh confirmed

00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:18.800
 that covenant with his

00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:20.519
 presence by appearing before

00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:20.760
 them.

00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:22.559
 In Exodus 24, he says, the

00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:25.280
 glory of the Lord dwelt on

00:38:25.280 --> 00:38:26.139
 Mount Sinai.

00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:27.659
 And the appearance of the

00:38:27.659 --> 00:38:29.379
 glory of the Lord was like a

00:38:29.379 --> 00:38:30.920
 devouring fire on the top of

00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:32.480
 the mountain in the sight of

00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.219
 the people of Israel.

00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:36.159
 So Moses is now asking for a

00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:37.319
 similar confirmation.

00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:41.059
 Lord, if you really intend to

00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:43.619
 dwell among us and go with us

00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:47.379
 again, then please assure me of

00:38:47.379 --> 00:38:47.900
 this favor.

00:38:48.379 --> 00:38:50.719
 Please show me your glory as you

00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:53.179
 did before, more than the

00:38:53.179 --> 00:38:54.639
 destruction of our enemies, more

00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:56.259
 than the inheritance of land

00:38:56.259 --> 00:38:57.400
 flowing with milk and honey.

00:38:57.779 --> 00:38:59.619
 We want your presence, God.

00:39:00.219 --> 00:39:02.699
 So please show me your glory.

00:39:05.000 --> 00:39:07.319
 And God says in verse 19, I will

00:39:07.319 --> 00:39:09.699
 make all my goodness pass before

00:39:09.699 --> 00:39:11.579
 you and will proclaim before you

00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:14.259
 my name, the Lord, and I will be

00:39:14.259 --> 00:39:15.759
 gracious to whom I will be

00:39:15.759 --> 00:39:17.559
 gracious and will show mercy on

00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:19.139
 whom I will show mercy.

00:39:20.059 --> 00:39:21.900
 This is an astounding revelation.

00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:23.259
 What does the glory of the Lord

00:39:23.260 --> 00:39:24.000
 consist of?

00:39:24.040 --> 00:39:25.820
 It's his goodness, his

00:39:25.820 --> 00:39:27.340
 graciousness, his character.

00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:31.260
 And God proclaims his name, which

00:39:31.260 --> 00:39:33.700
 represents his identity, who he is.

00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:36.420
 And his name is the Lord.

00:39:36.720 --> 00:39:38.320
 And when you see that name in all

00:39:38.320 --> 00:39:40.840
 caps, it stands for his proper, his

00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:43.140
 name, the proper noun, Yahweh or

00:39:43.140 --> 00:39:43.640
 Yehovah.

00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:50.699
 In the Hebrew, it means I am who I

00:39:50.699 --> 00:39:54.059
 am, or as it is given here, I will be

00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:56.259
 gracious to whom I will be gracious, and

00:39:56.259 --> 00:39:58.339
 I will show mercy on whom I will show

00:39:58.339 --> 00:39:58.879
 mercy.

00:39:59.579 --> 00:40:02.039
 Note how that parallels the name I am

00:40:02.039 --> 00:40:03.779
 who I am that God revealed in Exodus

00:40:03.779 --> 00:40:05.299
 3, 13 to 15.

00:40:06.559 --> 00:40:08.279
 It's saying the same thing, but this

00:40:08.279 --> 00:40:10.859
 phrase, it's phrased this way here to

00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:12.860
 explain why God is showing his favor to

00:40:12.860 --> 00:40:14.180
 Moses and the Israelites again.

00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:16.620
 Because the Hebrew word gracious, be

00:40:16.620 --> 00:40:19.440
 gracious, is a verbal form of the noun

00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:21.200
 that is translated favor, which is

00:40:21.200 --> 00:40:23.519
 repeated five times in this passage.

00:40:24.099 --> 00:40:26.340
 So why does God show favor to Israel?

00:40:26.420 --> 00:40:28.599
 Because his name is Yahweh.

00:40:29.240 --> 00:40:31.780
 I am who I am, who shows favor to whom

00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:32.680
 he shows favor.

00:40:32.679 --> 00:40:37.460
 In Romans 9, Paul speaks of how God

00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:39.399
 sovereignly chooses those who will be

00:40:39.399 --> 00:40:42.960
 his children, just as he chose Jacob

00:40:42.960 --> 00:40:45.679
 rather than Esau, according to his

00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:48.799
 purpose of election, his choosing, so

00:40:48.799 --> 00:40:50.899
 that those who are saved are saved not

00:40:50.899 --> 00:40:53.759
 according to their works or according to

00:40:53.759 --> 00:40:56.419
 their desserts or their worthiness, but

00:40:56.419 --> 00:40:58.619
 according to God's sovereign favor.

00:40:58.619 --> 00:41:02.500
 Not because they did something right, but

00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:05.299
 because God chose them and called them.

00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:08.460
 And then Paul anticipates the people's

00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.839
 objection in Romans 9.

00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:11.380
 He says, isn't that unfair?

00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:14.699
 Why does God choose some people but not

00:41:14.699 --> 00:41:15.019
 others?

00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:17.900
 And then to answer that objection, Paul

00:41:17.900 --> 00:41:20.759
 cites Exodus 33, 19, our verse here.

00:41:21.619 --> 00:41:24.739
 For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on

00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:27.599
 whom I have mercy and I will have compassion

00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:29.479
 on whom I have compassion.

00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:32.639
 So then it depends not on human will or

00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:36.139
 exertion, but on God who has mercy.

00:41:37.939 --> 00:41:40.659
 The word for, in introducing that

00:41:40.659 --> 00:41:42.399
 quotation from Exodus, suggests that the

00:41:42.399 --> 00:41:45.099
 quotation answers that objection, that God

00:41:45.099 --> 00:41:47.179
 is being unfair and unjust when he chooses

00:41:47.179 --> 00:41:49.119
 sovereignly some people to be his and not

00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:49.459
 others.

00:41:50.199 --> 00:41:53.299
 However, at first glance, Exodus 33, 19,

00:41:53.300 --> 00:41:55.340
 doesn't seem to actually answer the

00:41:55.340 --> 00:41:56.000
 question, right?

00:41:56.680 --> 00:41:58.500
 He seems to just restate the problem.

00:41:59.860 --> 00:42:02.060
 I will have, be gracious to whom I will

00:42:02.060 --> 00:42:02.460
 be gracious.

00:42:02.620 --> 00:42:05.539
 I will show compassion to whom I will

00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:06.120
 show compassion.

00:42:09.260 --> 00:42:11.720
 And the reason for that lies in the fact

00:42:11.720 --> 00:42:15.060
 that it, this is the very nature of God.

00:42:15.140 --> 00:42:18.019
 It's in his very name to act in this way.

00:42:18.560 --> 00:42:20.880
 As we'll see next week in Exodus 34, 6,

00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:22.320
 it's in God's very nature.

00:42:22.320 --> 00:42:25.000
 It's part of his name to be merciful and

00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:25.519
 compassionate.

00:42:26.200 --> 00:42:29.000
 But his name also speaks of God's radical

00:42:29.000 --> 00:42:30.980
 independence and sovereignty.

00:42:31.940 --> 00:42:35.640
 God is not an admissions officer whose job is to

00:42:35.640 --> 00:42:37.640
 admit the most qualified students.

00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:43.960
 God is not a hiring manager whose job it is to

00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:45.800
 hire the most qualified candidates.

00:42:45.800 --> 00:42:51.900
 God is a king who appoints whomever he wishes to his

00:42:51.900 --> 00:42:52.360
 service.

00:42:53.060 --> 00:42:57.760
 God is a father who adopts whomever he wishes as his

00:42:57.760 --> 00:42:58.260
 children.

00:42:59.580 --> 00:43:03.860
 In other words, God dispensing mercy to whom he wills is

00:43:03.860 --> 00:43:07.180
 part and parcel of the very name and identity of God.

00:43:07.580 --> 00:43:09.400
 It is part of God's very nature.

00:43:09.539 --> 00:43:14.140
 He is gracious to whom he is gracious because he is the I am

00:43:14.139 --> 00:43:14.779
 who I am.

00:43:15.279 --> 00:43:18.420
 He is the sovereign Lord who is accountable to no one and

00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:20.579
 subject to no one else's authority.

00:43:21.440 --> 00:43:23.719
 I am who I am means that God never changes.

00:43:24.420 --> 00:43:26.799
 He's the same yesterday, today, and forever.

00:43:27.460 --> 00:43:29.319
 He was and is and will be.

00:43:29.819 --> 00:43:31.699
 God is always true to himself.

00:43:32.199 --> 00:43:33.559
 He's faithful to his character.

00:43:33.679 --> 00:43:35.920
 He never deviates from his purposes.

00:43:36.400 --> 00:43:38.199
 He never changes his will.

00:43:38.199 --> 00:43:42.919
 So why is God favorable toward Israel despite the fact that

00:43:42.919 --> 00:43:45.739
 they are an unfaithful, undeserving, and adulterous

00:43:45.739 --> 00:43:46.199
 bride?

00:43:47.579 --> 00:43:49.919
 Despite their idolatry and rebellion?

00:43:50.399 --> 00:43:52.839
 Because he is Yahweh.

00:43:53.819 --> 00:43:56.019
 I am who I am.

00:43:57.199 --> 00:44:00.699
 And he has chosen Israel and he has put his name upon them.

00:44:00.699 --> 00:44:05.699
 And the name Yahweh is made up of the Hebrew verb to be.

00:44:06.559 --> 00:44:09.519
 And it's related to God's promise earlier given to his people

00:44:09.519 --> 00:44:10.659
 in Exodus 3.12.

00:44:11.119 --> 00:44:14.399
 I will be with you.

00:44:15.759 --> 00:44:20.259
 So how can Yahweh forsake his people, change his mind,

00:44:20.359 --> 00:44:25.919
 and renege on his promise when his name means I will be with you?

00:44:25.920 --> 00:44:29.320
 I will not leave you or forsake you.

00:44:32.659 --> 00:44:38.320
 God shows his favor to his people because he has chosen to show favor

00:44:38.320 --> 00:44:39.579
 to his people.

00:44:40.200 --> 00:44:42.360
 God never reneges on his promises.

00:44:44.200 --> 00:44:48.240
 That God's ongoing favor toward his people depends not on our works,

00:44:48.900 --> 00:44:53.900
 not on our deserving, but on his sovereign purposes should be a source

00:44:53.900 --> 00:44:57.000
 of great comfort for us as Christians.

00:45:00.059 --> 00:45:02.320
 Because our sins are many, are they not?

00:45:03.599 --> 00:45:05.579
 But his mercy is more.

00:45:08.860 --> 00:45:10.340
 Do we deserve his favor?

00:45:10.559 --> 00:45:11.680
 No, we do not.

00:45:12.200 --> 00:45:13.720
 We do not deserve his favor.

00:45:13.720 --> 00:45:18.079
 But Jesus has come to declare the ear of the Lord's favor.

00:45:19.059 --> 00:45:21.380
 We do not deserve to be his people.

00:45:21.380 --> 00:45:23.940
 But God calls us his own.

00:45:24.380 --> 00:45:26.400
 God calls us his people.

00:45:26.760 --> 00:45:28.300
 And he shows us mercy.

00:45:28.539 --> 00:45:28.800
 Why?

00:45:28.940 --> 00:45:30.820
 Because God says, I have chosen you.

00:45:31.780 --> 00:45:34.280
 And I have mercy on whom I have mercy.

00:45:34.280 --> 00:45:48.440
 So Christian brothers and sisters, perhaps some of you have lapsed recently.

00:45:49.120 --> 00:45:50.019
 You've backslidden.

00:45:51.820 --> 00:45:53.540
 You're living in unrepentant sin.

00:45:55.519 --> 00:45:57.380
 Maybe you're afraid of turning to God.

00:45:58.180 --> 00:46:00.460
 Maybe you're afraid that he will turn you away.

00:46:00.460 --> 00:46:00.620
 Maybe.

00:46:00.620 --> 00:46:00.680
 Maybe.

00:46:04.280 --> 00:46:09.100
 Are you afraid that things will never be the same again between you and God?

00:46:11.560 --> 00:46:13.740
 God says, fear not.

00:46:14.660 --> 00:46:16.480
 For I have redeemed you.

00:46:17.240 --> 00:46:18.680
 I have called you by name.

00:46:19.200 --> 00:46:21.740
 And you are mine.

00:46:21.739 --> 00:46:29.579
 Rest assured in God's favor toward you in Jesus Christ.

00:46:31.419 --> 00:46:40.739
 Because God shows mercy to a stiff-necked people out of his sovereign grace.

00:46:41.239 --> 00:46:41.899
 Let's pray together.

00:46:41.900 --> 00:46:55.280
 God, we praise you and we worship you because our salvation depends not on our works.

00:46:57.780 --> 00:47:04.519
 That the basis of our relationship with you is not what we do or have done, but it is what you have done in Christ.

00:47:04.519 --> 00:47:34.500
 It's not because we chose you.

00:47:34.519 --> 00:47:34.820
 Love.

00:47:35.940 --> 00:47:36.219
 Love.

00:47:42.739 --> 00:47:43.800
 Because you are.

00:47:45.000 --> 00:47:46.239
 I am who I am.

00:47:48.780 --> 00:47:49.759
 We love you.

00:47:50.940 --> 00:47:51.920
 We worship you.

00:47:52.800 --> 00:47:54.079
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:47:54.539 --> 00:47:54.840
 Amen.

00:47:54.840 --> 00:47:54.940
 Amen.

00:47:54.940 --> 00:47:55.019
 Amen.

00:47:55.019 --> 00:47:57.099
 Amen.

00:47:57.099 --> 00:47:57.980
 Amen.

00:47:57.980 --> 00:47:58.400
 Amen.

00:47:58.400 --> 00:47:59.099
 Amen.

00:47:59.099 --> 00:47:59.519
 Amen.

00:47:59.519 --> 00:48:00.159
 Amen.

00:48:00.159 --> 00:48:00.960
 Amen.

00:48:00.960 --> 00:48:01.079
 Amen.

00:48:01.079 --> 00:48:03.139
 Amen.

00:48:03.139 --> 00:48:04.039
 Amen.

00:48:04.039 --> 00:48:04.079
 Amen.

00:48:04.079 --> 00:48:04.119
 Amen.