Moses: The Point of Your Exodus
Exodus 33:1-3
> Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob . . . But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
The Gospel Reality
God cannot dwell with unrighteousness. That's why we need Jesus.
What Does "Stiff-Necked" Mean?
This phrase appears multiple times throughout the Old Testament and is later used by Stephen in Acts.
The opposite of a stiff neck is not a strong neck or a weak neck.
The opposite of a stiff neck is a surrendered neck.
The problem wasn't that Israel couldn't follow God.
The problem was that they wouldn't.
A Stiff Neck Looks Like:
* God says forgive → "I won't."
* God says give → "I won't."
* God says serve → "I won't."
* God says trust Me → "I won't."
A stiff neck is simply a heart that refuses to yield.
God isn't saying:
"You're weak."
He's saying:
"You're resistant."
"But I Will Not Go With You"
Think about how shocking this is.
You can have an Exodus without God.
You can:
* Survive cancer.
* Get the promotion.
* Build the business.
* Reach the goal.
* Receive the blessing.
And still miss the presence of God.
Moses Says, "No."
Exodus 33:15-16
> Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
Think about everything God had already done:
* God heard their cry.
* God called Moses.
* God delivered them.
* God destroyed Egypt's gods.
* God defeated Egypt's army.
* God parted the Red Sea.
* God provided manna in the wilderness.
Yet after all of that, they failed with the golden calf.
And now the question becomes:
What Was the Point of the Exodus?
Was it:
* Freedom?
* Miracles?
* Manna?
* The Promised Land?
Or was it something greater?
The Point of Your Exodus: God's Presence
Notice what God offers Israel:
* Protection
* Victory
* The Promised Land
* Blessing
* Success
But not His presence.
And Moses says:
"Then we don't want it."
Most Christians would gladly accept:
* A successful ministry
* Healthy finances
* Fulfilled dreams
* A growing church
* A comfortable life
...and never ask whether God is actually there.
But Moses understood something most people miss:
The blessing was never the point. The Presence was.
Moses would rather have God's presence in the wilderness than God's blessings in the Promised Land.
That's a challenging question for all of us.
If God Guaranteed You:
* Financial security
* Healthy children
* A successful career
* A long life
* Answered prayers
But you would never experience His presence...
Would you take the deal?
That's Exodus 33.
And Moses refused it.
Moses Has Changed
This is one of the most beautiful transformations in Scripture.
At the burning bush, Moses was afraid of Pharaoh.
Now he's afraid of life without God.
Earlier Moses asked:
"Who am I?"
Now Moses says:
"If You're not going, neither am I."
The reluctant shepherd has become a true leader.
The insecure man has become a man who values God's presence above everything else.
The Greatest Tragedy
The greatest tragedy is not hardship.
The greatest tragedy is success without God.
That's what Exodus 33 teaches us.
You can achieve your goals.
You can build a career.
You can grow a church.
You can accumulate wealth.
You can accomplish every dream on your list.
And still miss the very thing God created you for.
The Climax of Exodus
Many people think Exodus climaxes at:
* The plagues
* The Passover
* The Red Sea
* Mount Sinai
But the real climax is here.
Because Moses finally understands:
The goal was never getting out of Egypt.
The goal was getting God.
The purpose of freedom was relationship.
The purpose of rescue was communion.
The purpose of deliverance was God's presence among His people.
The Story of Scripture
In Exodus, God's presence dwelt in a tent.
John 1:14
> The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Jesus literally "tabernacled" among us.
God moved closer.
Then after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension:
Acts 2
The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.
Now God's presence doesn't dwell in a tent.
God's presence dwells in His people.
The entire story of Scripture is God moving closer and closer to His people.
From:
* The Garden
* The Tabernacle
* The Temple
* Jesus
* The Holy Spirit
God's desire has always been the same:
To be with His people.
That's why Exodus 33 is one of the most important chapters in the entire book.
Baptism and God's Presence
This is what happens in baptism.
We are united with Christ.
We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
God's presence comes to dwell within us.
Exodus 33:16
> "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
What distinguished Israel wasn't their military.
It wasn't their wealth.
It wasn't their talent.
It wasn't their influence.
**It was God's presence.**
And the same is true for us.
What distinguishes Christians isn't:
* Our morality
* Our politics
* Our traditions
* Our preferences
What distinguishes God's people is that God is with us.
The Holy Spirit lives within us.
His presence changes us.
His presence leads us.
His presence empowers us.
His presence comforts us.
His presence transforms us.
1. Don't Settle for God's Gifts Without God's Presence
The blessings of God are wonderful.
But they are never meant to replace God Himself.
Seek the Giver, not just the gifts.
2. Surrender Your Neck
The opposite of a stiff neck is a surrendered neck.
When God says:
* Forgive → forgive.
* Trust → trust.
* Give → give.
* Serve → serve.
A surrendered life experiences the presence of God.
3. Let God's Presence Be Your Greatest Desire
More than success.
More than comfort.
More than security.
More than achievement.
Make this your prayer:
"Lord, if Your presence does not go with me, do not send me from here."
The goal was never simply getting out of Egypt.
The goal was getting God.
The goal of your salvation is not merely forgiveness.
The goal is God's presence.
The goal is relationship.
The goal is communion with Him.
And today, through Jesus Christ, what Moses longed for is available to every believer.
So may we become people who say:
**"God, we don't just want Your blessings. We want You."**
