I Can't Go With You

The book of Exodus destroys most of the warm, fuzzy feelings we normally attribute to God.  Although there is a sense of real relationships with Moses, God comes across as an incomprehensible tyrant. 

And that's just it.  I can't comprehend it.  I don't can't understand the depths of God's jealousy for the people of God.  And I write that intentionally - not jealousy of but jealousy for.  It seems like in God's ultimate cosmic mind, there is no other option for his people - there is only him and for them to disregard him and his power for their lives, it taints the relationship.  It colors it in a way that cannot be repaired and he can no longer even be around them because of his holiness.

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey.  But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way. 

When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments.  For the LORD had said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites, "You are a stiff-necked people.  If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you.'   (Exodus 33:3-5a)

But our human perception of tyranny is not one of oppression, it is a misunderstanding of the completeness of God's holiness and righteousness.  God's rightness.  We live in a world that believes it is a human right to not have consequences for our decisions, that somehow we are not bound by any law or rule because when we are caught, 'we didn't mean it.'  In order to continue on the selfish road, we expect that those in authority will have mercy each and every time and when they respond with discipline or punishment because of bad behavior, we cry out "Bully!" 

But God is neither a bully nor a tyrant: he is holy.  And he desperately desires something entirely different for his children.  Even though our scriptures seem to make out that God wanted to destroy the people of Israel at the mountain, he cannot because they are his treasure.  His discipline is postponed which (hopefully) we'll look at tomorrow.

Questions:

1.  What is one time you deserved punishment and received it?

2.  What is one time you deserved punishment and avoided it?

3.  From which one did you learn more?  What did you learn?