Verse of the Day 2/22

Through the Bible - Numbers 15-17, Mark 10

Good morning,
Alec Motyer, who wrote a concise commentary on the book of Isaiah, writes "we do ourselves no favors by calling the first part of our Bibles the "Old Testament". Why, the very title suggests something bygone. Of course we are too far down the road to discard this description, but we need constantly to recall that the Lord Jesus would not have understood it. To Him, what we call the Old Testament was simply "the Scriptures" (John 5:39) or the "Word of God" (Mark 7:13). So how can it be bygone? Rather it lives and abides forever (Isa. 40:8), and if we do not find the inspired words of the prophets gripping, the fault most surely be ours."
If you are following a read through the Bible plan which includes the "Old Testament" you've probably been in the books of Leviticus and Numbers recently and may have "hit the wall". I would encourage you to "keep a goin".
Today's verse comes from Exodus 33 where Moses shows the same heart for his people as Paul did in the New Testament for those he was ministering to.
Ex 33:13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people." NKJV
This devotional would not be complete without also looking at verse 15:
Ex 33:15-"If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. NKJV
This is a well know passage primarily remembered for Moses' call later in the passage to "show me your glory" and the glory of the Lord passed before him.
But here, Moses clearly indicates that without God's presence they would be no different from the other nations and would not have His blessing. He was not looking for personal glory, he wanted to see God's glory and wanted the people of Israel to see it as well, above the things, the temptations of this world.
Read the passage below. Consider what it shows you about the heart of Moses, the heart of God. Consider what it reveals to you about your heart.
Think of things that the "Old Testament" has already taught you to this point this year.
In Christ,
Mike

Ex 33:12-34:1

The Promise of God's Presence
12 Then Moses said to the Lord, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said,'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people." 14 And He said,"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
15 Then he said to Him,"If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth."
17 So the Lord said to Moses,"I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name."
18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory."
19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." 20 But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." 21 And the Lord said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."
M
NKJV