Exodus 32 (Read Here)
Exodus 33 (Read Here)
Exodus 34:1-9 (Read Here)
Exodus 34:10-35 (Read Here)
Exodus 35 (Read Here)
Hi Guys!
We have some pretty amazing chapters in Exodus to read through this week. Where do we even begin? There are so many amazing things we could talk about. First, what struck me when reading through is just the Israelite’s impatience in chapter 32. Moses was up the mountain and taking a long time, in their opinion. They just didn’t want to wait anymore. How quickly they turn to their own devices, their own way, their own self-sufficiency. They DID NOT want to wait. Have you ever felt like that? I know I have. When I think God is taking too long (in whatever circumstance that might arise), my gaze turns away from him and onto myself to figure it all out. In those moments, if I am really honest, I think I know better than God. That is what we see playing out here. Where do you need to surrender waiting to the Lord this week? What area of life have you felt like you weren’t getting the answer in the time frame you wanted and have doubted God’s presence, goodness, and faithfulness to you? Spend time praying through that in conversation with the Lord. Confess, repent, and ask God to give you the patience and trust you need to persevere.
When we take on all our burdens ourselves, it can be exhausting. When we don’t trust and wait on the Lord, we carry a load we aren’t meant to carry. It will always lead to burnout, exhaustion, etc. In chapter 33, we see Moses begging God to stay with him. He would NOT carry on with anything less than the very presence of God alongside Him. He reminds God of all his promises and his love for his chosen people. Then the Lord says, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
God’s rest can be pictured as a place to put down roots, a place where people can feel relaxed and safe, and a place to finally call home. In Joshua, we see that promise realized “Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers.” Joshua 21:43-44
In the New Testament, we see the “rest” described in the Old Testament is just a shadow of the fullness of true rest in and only through Jesus. Jesus says in Matthew 11, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
You see, the coming of Jesus was the greatest fulfillment of God’s promise to Moses. Here was God in the flesh offering himself personally, giving himself fully, opening his loving arms to welcoming his people into true rest. Instead of withdrawing from those who broke the law, Jesus came and offered to bear the heavy burden of law keeping and obedience.
Thank you, Jesus, that you are my rest. I come to you in my weariness, longing for the soul rest only you can provide. Yoke my life to yours so that I can find my burdens light.
Amen.