GETTING IN GOD'S FACE

“And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?’” (Exodus 33:15-16, ESV).

Have you ever had someone “get in your face”?

I used this title, a play on words, to get your attention and if you’ve read this far, it worked. Let me explain.

In Exodus 33, God commands Moses to leave the desert of Sinai and head toward the Promised Land. There was a lot going on with the Jews at this point. Not long before, Moses had led the Jewish nation through the Red Sea and out of Egypt. And Moses had just been up on the mountain for an encounter with God that resulted in the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile, down in the camp, the people threw a wild party which ended up with their creating an idol, a golden calf. The Jews were partying by mimicking the lifestyle and behavior of the pagan tribes around them, not realizing that copying the unrestrained conduct and idolatry of the pagans brought them into open ridicule in the eyes of their enemies.

Moses came down off the mountain and heard and observed the wild behavior of the twelve tribes. What happened next is what some of my southern friends describe as a “come to Jesus meeting”—Moses was so upset by the foolish behavior that he smashed the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written.

Moses quickly brought order back to the encampment and then went before the Lord to make atonement for the sins of the people. This was not a happy revival meeting where singing, dancing and worship prevailed. At least 3000 died by the sword of judgment because of the foolishness of the people.

Moses interceded on behalf of the nation and God accepted his appeal. God then told Moses to lead the children of Israel to the land where, according to His promise, His Presence would go with them (v. 14) and Moses responded with the appeal of Exodus 33:15-16. Simply put, Moses was saying, “If Your Presence does not go with us, then don’t let us move. We are the people of Your Presence. It is Your Presence that separates us from everyone else on earth.”

How do we understand this appeal of Moses? If God is everywhere, what was Moses asking for and why was he worried?

We know that God is omnipresent, that He is everywhere, and that is not what Moses was talking about. Moses was asking for God’s presence to be evident, tangible. He was asking that the blessing and favor of God rest upon Israel and be seen by those who opposed them.

It is important to note that the Hebrew word used in Exodus 33:15 for presence (paniym) is the same word used in Psalm 44:3 (ESV) for face or countenance.

“For not by their own sword did they win the land,
            nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm,
            and the light of your face (paniym),

            for you delighted in them.”

Moses knew that without the blessing of the Lord upon the tribes of Israel, they could never possess the Promised Land. The Jews were not the best warriors, nor were they the most numerous, and left to their own devices they never could have taken and subdued Canaan. Moses knew that it was only when the favor and blessing of God rested on Israel that they were distinct, different from all the other peoples on earth, and only then could they be successful and walk in victory.

Today’s American church is a timid church, not ready to go to war! The contemporary church has largely been built on the business models of the world, the overdone concept that we need to be more culturally relevant; and, for some, on the misguided idea that God has destined the truly righteous to be successful according to earthly standards. The western church is not living in victory—we talk about it, we try to define it, but we are not living in it!

We need to be in God’s face; that is, we need to have His tangible blessing in our midst. What makes us different is God’s presence, His face shining upon us. Only then will we see real victory.

“May God be gracious to us and bless us
            and make his face (paniym) to shine upon us,

 that your way may be known on earth,
            your saving power among all nations.”  

(Psalm 67:1-2, ESV)

It’s time to get in God’s face. Your future depends on it!