Sermon snippet – Rocktober – Part II
INTRODUCTION – Shorter messages are hard for me because there is more that I want to say, but they are harder for you because there is much more that you want to hear from me: No “Amen”? Let us read Exodus 33:12-23.
- TO KNOW GOD’S WAY IS TO KNOW GOD
Verse 13 reveals great insight by Moses: God’s way is always consistent with His character. His commands reveal His nature. He is a God of life (Exodus 20:13), of order (I Corinthians 14:40), of hearing and answering prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17), of joy (I Thessalonians 5:16). Likewise, His actions demonstrate His attributes. He is a God of deliverance (the crossing of the Red Sea) and of forgiveness (Exodus 32-33 – the idolatry of the golden calf). To know God’s way is to know God.
- TO KNOW GOD IS TO WANT TO KNOW HIM BETTER
Verses 18-23 are indicative of how we are made. If we hear a song that we like, we want to listen to others by the same musician; if we enjoy a book, we seek out others by the same author; if we are edified by a conversation, we look forward to talking to that person again. Moses desired to know God better. Of course, he was not able to see the full glory of God (verse 20), but note that God was not at all offended by this request from an imperfect man. Remember, God is relational; the very nature of the Trinity has always been relational and always will be. God wants us to have a closer relationship with Him; He wants us to want to know Him better. To know God is to want to know Him better.
- TO KNOW GOD BETTER IS TO BE OVERWHELMED BY HIS GOODNESS
Matthew 17:1-6 completes this story. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses received a double blessing. First, he was able to enter the Promised Land of Israel (which had not been permitted during his earthly life because of his disobedience, as we studied last week in Numbers 20:1-13). Second, he sees the full glory of God the Son, Jesus Christ. To know God better is to be overwhelmed by His goodness.
CONCLUSION – Would you like to see what Moses saw? I would! In fact, I would be content with his “clift of the rock” encounter in Exodus 33. However, I take joy in the experience of Moses, knowing that all who share his faith, including me, will one day see our Lord in the glory of His majesty.
Matthew 17:7-8 shifts our attention to where it must be – on “Jesus alone.” Later, in Matthew 21:42, Jesus tells us that we need Him as our Rock. He is far more than the “clift of the rock”; He is the Solid Rock of our salvation. If we place our trust in Him, our eternal salvation is secure.