God's Reaction to Rebellion

Introduction

Dwight and I begin a series of lessons today on worship. This series will take us to the end of the year. However, this series is not a repeat of the same series we have done in previous years. This series will begin by focusing on the nature and character of God and then move into our response to who God is. Let me say at the outset that this series is not exhaustive about the subject of worship. Nor will this series focus on what has been commonly termed the elements of worship. Such a focus too often causes us to think that if we sing, pray, give money, take the Lord’s Supper and listen to a sermon that we have worshiped. While worship includes participation, it is so much more than going through a series of acts. These sermons are going to focus on our response which comes from recognizing who God is. This is worship.

Worship is not a series of actions; it is a response of the heart. Worship does not emphasize emotion; nor does it ignore it. Worship doesn’t focus on our satisfaction, but on the glory of God. Worship isn’t about what we get out of it, but about what we put into it. Worship isn’t about impressing others and God with our singing and prayers, but to allow God to transform our lives. Worship isn’t about pretending to have no problems, but to admit our flaws and problems to God. Worship isn’t about leaving feeling like we have had a great service, but that our God is great. Today we will reemphasize the awesomeness of God.

The Text

God has led the Israelites out of Egypt. After several months of providing and caring for them, he is ready to call them to be his people. In chapter 24, we have this powerful ceremony in which the covenant between God and the people is confirmed. Moses spends 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain of God. During this time he receives God’s law for his people. The covenant having been agreed upon is laid out with specific details with expectations and consequences carefully spelled out. It is during this 40 day excursion that the people begin to lose faith in God.

In chapter 32 they plead for some visible God to replace the one who has left them alone for so many days. Moses’ absence is equated with God’s powerlessness. So a golden calf is constructed. When Moses returns his anger rises and God sends a plague upon the people for their faithlessness. In chapter 33, God tells Moses that his job is to get them to the land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 33:3 tells us that God will not, however, accompany them while they make their journey. An angel will accompany them and will make it possible for them to enter the land, because God made a promise, but God, himself, will now be silent because Israel has rejected him.

In 33:15-16, Moses pleads for God to change his mind. He begs God to remain and to go with them. The trip is not worth taking unless God is with them. Moses says God’s reputation is at stake. And God’s answer is “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and know you by name.” 33:18: Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Moses is asking for God to reveal himself in a greater way than he has before. Moses wants to know God as he has not known him before.

So God calls him up to the top of the mountain. He is to bring two new stone tablets so that the 10 words can be rewritten. And then we have this powerful text in which God proclaims his name (vs. 5) or his nature. Notice how God describes himself. Compassionate. Gracious. Slow to anger. Abounding in love. Abounding in faithfulness. Possessor of more love than you can ever imagine. Forgiver of all wickedness and sin. Punisher of the guilty. Let that soak in. The God of all creation is allowing us to know him in specific ways. Let’s sing about this God.

Application

Two things I want us to notice about this text. First, this revelation about himself is in the context of sin and rebellion. Israel sinned against God. Only days after agreeing to and confirming the covenant with God, they bow down to an idol. It is in this context that God still intends to carry through with his promise but does not intend to accompany Israel on the rest of their journey. Moses’ pleading for God’s presence results in God relenting and agreeing to be with them.

At the time when it is possible for God to focus on his punishment and his disappointment, he focuses on qualities which highlight his grace, mercy, and love. This tells us that God wants us to know him as gracious rather than punisher. There are a number of other texts in the Old Testament that use almost the identical description. The context is the same—it is after sin and rebellion that God reveals himself with this same language. He calls on his people to return to him over and over again because he is a God of grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness.

Second, notice Moses’ response to this revelation from God. He worships. This is the response when we know the real nature of God. Moses isn’t concerned about how he feels; or about impressing God; the focus is on the glory of God; it is about being changed in the presence of the one who knows him. And it is about admitting flaws in God’s presence. We are a stiff-necked people; forgive our wickedness and our sin. Allow us to be in relationship with you. This is the response of one who understands that they are in the presence of the God who is compassionate, gracious and loving. The focus is on God, not on Moses and what he is receiving.

God wants to be in relationship with you. In your sin and rebellion, it is his mercy and love that he wants you to know. His desire is to love you not to punish you. He longs to be with you. His nature is that he reaches out to you and treats you far better than you deserve. Why not come to him? Why not worship him? Allow your heart to see his true glory.

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