There were many reasons Moses was sent back up the mountain. The one I want to focus on is Moses not being willing to lead the people another step without the guarantee of God's presence going with them. What would be the point? It would be a disaster of epic proportions, and Moses knew this! Moses wanted to know God's presence would be with them.
[Exo 33:15-16 NASB] Then he said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. "For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?"
Exactly! God, if you are not going to lead my steps and guide me, then there is not point me even moving from this spot. Is it not by your presence and guiding me, it can be told I am your child, that you love me and you take care of me?
Moses then asks the Lord, "I pray You, show me your glory."
[Exo 33:19-23] And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. "Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."
The Lord gives Moses further instructions for his hike up the mountain....like bringing another set of tablets for God to write on....but that part of the visit will have to wait for another day.
Early the next morning, Moses made his way up the mountain and went to the place God had instructed him to. And just as promised.....
[Exo 34:5-7] 5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the LORD. 6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."
And there...there it was, tucked in the middle of this passage...a truth...a promise...such a comforting picture of truth!
The LORD descended in the cloud and stood there with him AS he called upon the name of the LORD. THEN the Lord passed by in front of him. As we are seeking God....as we are seeking His presence....as we are calling on His name....as we are crying out to Him, He is standing there right beside us. Before we even see the evidence of His being present or His hand at work, He is there with us. Sometimes we are looking so hard for the visual manifestation of God's presence and work on our behalf, that we miss the precious beauty and truth of the fact that God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe, our very personal LORD is standing right beside us. He does not leave us or forsake us no matter what the circumstance. He is ever present in our every circumstance. What comfort, peace, and absolute love is to be found in this truth about God. What a wonderful reminder as we climb the mountains in our lives and call out to the Lord.....to be still and feel His presence right there with us.
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