#DailyDevotion We Have A Greater Intercessor Than Moses Now

Exodus 33:12–23¹²Moses said to the LORD, “You tell me, “Take these people into the land,’ but You haven’t told me who it is You’re sending with me. You say, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with Me.’ ¹³And now if You’re kind to me, let me know Your ways so I can understand You and continue to find favor with You. And also think of how this nation is Your people.” ¹⁴“I Myself will go with you.” He said, “and put your mind at rest.” ¹⁵“If You’re not going with us,” Moses told Him, “don’t make us leave here. ¹⁶How can anyone know You’re kind to me and to Your people? Isn’t it by Your going with us? Then I and Your people will be different from all other people on earth.” ¹⁷“I will do what you say,” the LORD answered Moses, “because I am kind to you and know you by name.”

So what is going on here? Well we need to know first this follows the golden calf incident in the wilderness. Moses went up on the mountain to talk with the LORD and he was up there for quite some time. The people whom he led out of Egypt got restless and looked to Aaron. Aaron fearing the great crowd of people made the golden calf for them to worship and the people commenced to partying and debauchery. Well this isn’t what the LORD had delivered them out of Egypt to do. He was going to wipe them out and start over with Moses. Moses however interceded for them. The LORD’s wrath nevertheless went out among the people and by the hand of Levi killed 6,000 of them as an example.

Now the LORD is telling Moses he isn’t going with them into the Promised Land. Instead, he is going to send his Messenger with them. The LORD tells him this at the end of the previous chapter and the beginning of this chapter. The LORD’s reasoning for not going with them is he will wipe them out because of their stubbornness and sinfulness if he went with them. I guess the LORD’s Messenger is more lenient? Is this Messenger a created angel or the pre-incarnate Jesus? Isn’t the LORD the pre-incarnate Jesus? Good questions to ponder on and which also help us see possible distinctions within the Holy Trinity if the Messenger is not a created angel. In any case that is what has Moses complaining to the LORD here, “You haven’t told me who it is You’re sending with me.”

Moses, in his arguing with the LORD here recalls how the LORD has treated him in the past. He tells the LORD “I know you by name and you have also found favor with me.” Remember the LORD revealed his name to Moses through the fiery bush when they first met. He asks the LORD to continue to be kind to him and teach him His ways so he can understand the LORD and continue to find favor with him. I think this is something we ourselves need to remember in our dealings with the LORD. He has revealed his name in Jesus. He has shown us his kindness in sacrificing his Son Jesus on the cross. On the basis of those things we can and should come before the LORD with boldness and confidence and may our requests know to the Almighty. Well, the LORD relents here of what he told Moses. However, it doesn’t seem at first Moses believes the LORD. At the very least, Moses is very flustered at this whole matter and he repeats himself. The LORD is merciful to Moses and repeats his promise. I think we too need to hear God repeat his promises to us. That’s why we gather together regularly, to be reminded of the LORD’s great mercy toward us.

Merciful LORD, be patient with us, give us your name and always remind us of your promises. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.