213. EXO 33:14. GOD’S PRESENCE AND REST
Exo_33:14. God’s Presence and Rest
"My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."’97Exo_33:14
We cannot read the history of the Israelites without being instructed and admonished. In many things we may discern a resemblance between their condition and ours. And, while we feel disposed to censure their murmurings and unbelief, let us take heed, lest there be in us a heart of unbelief in departing from the living God God’s goodness and mercy towards them is highly calculated to inspire us with love to him, and confidence in him. Notwithstanding all their sins, when they supplicated his mercy, he turned his anger away, and blessed them. Moses had been fervently interceding for God to show him his way, and to be gracious to his people. And he said, "My presence shall go with thee," &c.
Observe, The Journey’97the Presence’97the Rest.
I. The Journey.
The people were in a journeying condition.
1. They had come from Egypt.
A land of toil, and oppression, and misery. God had pitied, and called them out of it. He had made bare his arm in their deliverance, and, by signs and wonders, had led them from beneath the yoke of the oppressor. How characteristic of the original state of God’s people! Far from God. In Egyptian darkness and bondage. Under the tyranny of the devil. God called them by his Gospel, and delivered them by his gracious arm from the power, of the adversary.
2. They were journeying in the wilderness.
A land of drought, sterility, and dangers They had many privations, trials, difficulties, and enemies. A true picture of the world through which believers are travel ling. The world is a dreary desert; a scene of conflicts, trials, and dangers "In the world ye shall have tribulation"&c.
3. They were travelling to Canaan.
A land promised to their fathers; a land of freedom and rest, of plenty and happiness. The joy of all lands. Believers, too, are journeying to the land promised’97the heavenly Canaan. A country promised to all who love and fear God; a country purchased and prepared by Jesus as the inheritance of his saints. A world of rest, and celestial glory. The kingdom of God. The land of infinite delights. To this the eye of the Christian is looking. For this he prays, and believes, and fights.
"From Egypt lately come,
Where death and darkness reign,
We seek our new and better home
Where we our rest shall gain.
"There, in celestial strains,
Enraptured myriads sing;
There love in every bosom reigns,
For God himself is King."
Notice,
II. The Presence.
"My presence shall go with thee."
This presence,
1. Was Divine.
"My presence," &c. God gave them Moses to lead them; Aaron to minister to them; Joshua and Caleb, &c. His angels also are employed for his people. But still there is something more than these desirable’97something with these, and that is the Divine presence. This presence included, that almighty power’97infinite wisdom’97exhaustless goodness’97and unchanging all-sufficiency should be with them. "If God be for us," &c. "Fear not, I am with thee," &c. "Lo, I am with you," &c "The Lord will not forsake," &c.
2. It was visible Pillar of cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night. Not now visible to the eye of sense. No literal sign of the Divine presence: yet still God is really with us and we have demonstrative evidences of it. The influences exerted, the changes wrought, the comforts enjoyed, and the blessings experienced, all evidence that "the Lord of Hosts is with us."
3. It was efficient.
Not merely Divine recognition and observation, but with them to do all for them they required. They required direction, provision, preservation &c. And he did guide, supplied all their wants, and delivered them from all their enemies. He has engaged "to guide us by his counsel," &c. "To lead us to a city," &c. To keep us, supply all our need, and save unto eternal life. "The Lord God is a sun," &c.
4. It was continued.
Through the whole desert; to Jordan’s streams, and until they had entered into Canaan. So it will be with us in health and sickness, in youth and old age, in life and death, never leave, &c. "When flesh and heart fail," &c. "This God is our God forever and ever," &c.
Notice, then,
III. The Rest.
"And I will give thee rest."
1. The rest of triumph after the conflicts of life.
The conqueror shall sit down with Jesus, &c.
2. A rest from the toils of wilderness journeyings.
Wilderness traversed, city reached, labors over, &c.
"There on a green and flowery mount,
Our weary souls shall sit," &c.
3. A rest from the fears and dangers of the way.
These, numerous, constant, and distressing. Now far from danger; in the land of eternal safety.
4. A rest from the sufferings and afflictions of life.
Life a scene of trouble; mankind’s heir loom; valley of tears, &c. Now
"Far from a world of grief and sin,
With God eternally shut in."
Rivers of pleasure, scenes of endless delight, and joys for evermore.
5. A rest of eternal and heavenly glory.
The salvation, inheritance, crown, &c, all eternal. I give unto my sheep "eternal life," &c.
Application
1. Travellers to heaven must sincerely seek and piously labor to secure the presence of God.
2. We cannot have it, without a joyous consciousness of it.
3. It is indispensable to our security and happiness.
4. It will be succeeded by eternal and heavenly rest.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS