God's Provision, Presence and Proclamation
God’s Provision, Presence, and Proclamation
Exodus 16-20.
“And you shall know that I am the Lord your god.”
God desires to reveal Himself to us so that we might know Him. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, God does not remain behind the shroud of heaven. Instead, He continually acts to reveal Himself to us so that we might know Him. But the knowledge that the Bible refers to is not the academic knowledge a scientist gains by delving deep into the realm of the impersonal laws that govern the universe. That knowledge is sterile and detached. The knowledge of God is personal and transformative. He has revealed Himself to us so that we might know Him, that is, that we might have a personal relationship with Him so that it might transform our lives. He desires that we know Him like we would know our spouse or closest friend: a knowledge that is grounded in a loving personal relationship.
The story of Exodus is not just about God delivering the Israelites from the bondage of slavery. It is about God initiating a personal relationship with them so they might love and trust Him. To reveal Himself to them, He did three actions-- actions motivated by God's desire to have a relationship with them. He provided for their needs, was present with them in their daily activities, and proclaimed His requirements for how they should live in a relationship with Him.
The story of the manna and the quail was more than just about hunger and the arrival of a mobile grocery store. It is a story of how God provides for our daily needs. His care for us goes beyond just the cosmic control of the universe; He cares deeply about our daily needs. This He did even though the people continually grumbled against Him. Instead of approaching God in prayer and faith in His provision, they saw God as a fickle God who was heartless to their daily struggles. However, rather than respond with judgment (which they deserved), He responded with gracious patience, providing for their daily needs.
The second way God revealed Himself to the people so they might know and trust Him was through His continual presence with them. Throughout the Exodus, the people were given visual manifestations of God to remind them that He was present with them. He appeared in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. When they ran out of food and grumbled against God, rather than bring judgment, “the glory of the Lord Appeared in the cloud” (16:10). However, the greatest demonstration of His presence was in His appearance on Mount Sinai, when He put His full glory on display by appearing on the mountain with thunder and lightening flashes, and a thick cloud upon the Mountain (19:16). God made it clear that He was with them throughout their struggles.
Last, and perhaps the greatest act of all, is that God proclaimed His law to them so that they might know how to live rightly in the presence of a holy God. For mankind to know God and live in God’s presence, we must approach Him in holiness and righteousness. He has proclaimed His law to humanity so that they might know how to live in the presence of a holy God.
However, God’s provision, presence, and proclamation were not just to Israel but to all humanity. God desires a relationship with all people of all ages and races. So He has also revealed Himself to us as well. This provision, presence, and proclamation to humanity finds its fullest expression in the person of Christ. In Christ, God provided not only our physical needs but also our spiritual hunger. Jesus is the “bread of life; he who comes to him will not hunger” (John 6:26-51). When Christ came to earth, He came to be present with us and live among us. He is Emmanuel, God with us.” John states Jesus came to “tabernacle among us” (John 1:14). Just as God was present with Israel in the Tabernacle, now God is present with us in the person of Christ. Last, God has proclaimed His word to us in the fullest expression, for He has revealed His word in a living Word: “And the Word became flesh” (John 1:14).
Just as God desired a relationship with the people of Israel, so He also desires a relationship with us. He is always present with us, provides for us daily, and proclaims His Word. Tragically, like the nation of Israel, instead of seeking to know him, we ignore Him. We devalue His presence, we reject His provision, and we ignore His proclamation. God desires a relationship with us, but do we desire a relationship with him? That is the question we must ask ourselves every day.
Exodus 16-20.
“And you shall know that I am the Lord your god.”
God desires to reveal Himself to us so that we might know Him. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, God does not remain behind the shroud of heaven. Instead, He continually acts to reveal Himself to us so that we might know Him. But the knowledge that the Bible refers to is not the academic knowledge a scientist gains by delving deep into the realm of the impersonal laws that govern the universe. That knowledge is sterile and detached. The knowledge of God is personal and transformative. He has revealed Himself to us so that we might know Him, that is, that we might have a personal relationship with Him so that it might transform our lives. He desires that we know Him like we would know our spouse or closest friend: a knowledge that is grounded in a loving personal relationship.
The story of Exodus is not just about God delivering the Israelites from the bondage of slavery. It is about God initiating a personal relationship with them so they might love and trust Him. To reveal Himself to them, He did three actions-- actions motivated by God's desire to have a relationship with them. He provided for their needs, was present with them in their daily activities, and proclaimed His requirements for how they should live in a relationship with Him.
The story of the manna and the quail was more than just about hunger and the arrival of a mobile grocery store. It is a story of how God provides for our daily needs. His care for us goes beyond just the cosmic control of the universe; He cares deeply about our daily needs. This He did even though the people continually grumbled against Him. Instead of approaching God in prayer and faith in His provision, they saw God as a fickle God who was heartless to their daily struggles. However, rather than respond with judgment (which they deserved), He responded with gracious patience, providing for their daily needs.
The second way God revealed Himself to the people so they might know and trust Him was through His continual presence with them. Throughout the Exodus, the people were given visual manifestations of God to remind them that He was present with them. He appeared in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. When they ran out of food and grumbled against God, rather than bring judgment, “the glory of the Lord Appeared in the cloud” (16:10). However, the greatest demonstration of His presence was in His appearance on Mount Sinai, when He put His full glory on display by appearing on the mountain with thunder and lightening flashes, and a thick cloud upon the Mountain (19:16). God made it clear that He was with them throughout their struggles.
Last, and perhaps the greatest act of all, is that God proclaimed His law to them so that they might know how to live rightly in the presence of a holy God. For mankind to know God and live in God’s presence, we must approach Him in holiness and righteousness. He has proclaimed His law to humanity so that they might know how to live in the presence of a holy God.
However, God’s provision, presence, and proclamation were not just to Israel but to all humanity. God desires a relationship with all people of all ages and races. So He has also revealed Himself to us as well. This provision, presence, and proclamation to humanity finds its fullest expression in the person of Christ. In Christ, God provided not only our physical needs but also our spiritual hunger. Jesus is the “bread of life; he who comes to him will not hunger” (John 6:26-51). When Christ came to earth, He came to be present with us and live among us. He is Emmanuel, God with us.” John states Jesus came to “tabernacle among us” (John 1:14). Just as God was present with Israel in the Tabernacle, now God is present with us in the person of Christ. Last, God has proclaimed His word to us in the fullest expression, for He has revealed His word in a living Word: “And the Word became flesh” (John 1:14).
Just as God desired a relationship with the people of Israel, so He also desires a relationship with us. He is always present with us, provides for us daily, and proclaims His Word. Tragically, like the nation of Israel, instead of seeking to know him, we ignore Him. We devalue His presence, we reject His provision, and we ignore His proclamation. God desires a relationship with us, but do we desire a relationship with him? That is the question we must ask ourselves every day.
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