31 May 2017, Ex 33 出33章, God’s Friend 神的朋友

Posted on May 28, 2017 in Devotions, Exodus |

Scripture Reading        : Ex 33

Theme                            : God’s Friend

 

God’s friendship.

The tabernacle had not yet been built, so the structure referred to here was probably a tent where Moses met with God and over which the cloud rested. God spoke to Moses as with a friend because Moses obeyed God (Deut. 34:10; John 15:14–16). God could not dwell with a rebellious people, but He could fellowship with Moses (2 Cor. 6:14–18).

God’s presence.

The Jews watched things happen, but Moses made things happen. He knew God’s ways (Ps. 103:7) and prayed for God’s presence to go with them. Moses could not pray on the basis of Israel’s obedience to the Law, but he could plead the grace of God. Believers today are sure of God’s presence because He has promised to stay with us (Heb. 13:5–6).

God’s glory.

Many believers pray, “Show me Your way,” but not many pray, “Show me Your glory.” No man can see God in His fullness and live, but God can reveal some of His glory. He did that for Moses “in the secret place of the Most High” (Ps. 91:1–4). Our experience of glory today is explained in 2 Corinthians 3:18.[1]

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. The LORD speaks to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. (Ex 33:11) All of us admired Moses but how many of us love God and His glory like Moses? How many of us come to God and pray for himself, his needs and his desire. How many of us truly love God and His glory. Let’s pray that we learn from Moses.
  2. People abandoned God when God delayed or did not give them what they want or go where they wanted to go. But Moses is different. Moses will not proceed if God is not going with him (Ex 33:15). What about you? Will you proceed with your plan even the Lord refused to go with you? Is your goals and plans are more important than the presence of God?
  3. No one can see God and live (Ex 33:20) yet God is gracious to grant the impossibility to Moses. Even it is impossible, the Lord find a way to accomplish Moses’ dream. God’s love and grace for Moses is so clearly demonstrated. Do you admire Moses? Pray that you not only admire Moses but also love God and His glory just like Moses.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 33:1.

 
 
 
 

经文：出33章

主题：神的朋友

 

神的友谊

帐幕的建造尚未完成，所以这里指的很可能是一个帐棚，而摩西就在那里与神见面，也是云柱降下的地方。因为摩西遵从神的命令，所以神晓谕摩西，好像人与朋友说话一般（申34:10；约15:14-16）。神不与叛逆的人同行，但祂可以与摩西相通（林后6:14-18）。

神的同在

犹太人围观看事，但摩西却出面行事。他晓得神的法则（诗篇103:7），并祈求神与百姓同行。摩西无法凭着以色列对律法的顺服向神祈求，但他可以寻求神的恩典。今天的信徒可以确信神与他们同在，因为祂已应许祂永不不撇，也不丢弃我们（希 13:5-6）。

神的荣耀

许多信徒常常祷告说：“求袮向我显出袮的道路”，却很少说：“求袮向我显出袮的荣耀”。无人能见神全然的荣耀而活，但祂可以揭示自己一部分的荣耀，就如祂在“至高者隐密处”向摩西显现一样（诗91:1-4）。哥林多后书3:18便解释了今天信徒所能经历的的荣耀。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 耶和华与摩西面对面说话，好像人与朋友说话一般。 （出33:11）我们所有人都欣赏摩西，但有多少人像摩西一样如此地爱神和祂的荣耀呢？有多少人来到神的面前，是为自己、自己的需要，并自己的所愿祷告呢？有多少人是真心爱神，并渴望祂的荣耀？让我们祈祷，叫我们能向摩西学习。
  2. 当神延迟或拒绝赐给众百姓他们心里想要的东西想去的地方时，百姓就抛弃了神。但摩西却不是这样；神若不与他同行，他也就愿意往前行（出33:15）。你呢？主若拒绝与你同行，你还会继续实施自己的计划吗？你的目标与计划是否比神的同在更为重要？
  3. 无人能见神而活（出33:20），但恩慈的神向摩西显现了。即使不可能，主仍然找到一个可行的方法来完成摩西的愿望；神向摩西显出的大爱与恩典就在此显明了。你欣赏摩西吗？请祷告你不仅在欣赏之时，也渴望像摩西一样爱神和祂的荣耀。