The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 4:14.
A troubled Moses in a meeting with the Lord has the rebellion of the people he’s trying to lead fresh in his mind. The Israelites fell into idolatry and coerced Aaron to make for them a golden calf. “As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt,” they say in Exodus 32:1, “we don’t know what has happened to him.
Moses spent time on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, but down in the camp the people grew restless. As a result of the idolatry of his people, God changes his mind about accompanying them any farther on their journey because of the real possibility of destroying them.
At this point in the story, Moses stands before God one-on-one, and reminds him of the leadership God asks of him. Just the thought of going on alone without God’s presence sinks him in anxiety and fear. If God abandons them, who will fill the role as Moses’ companion and helper? How will Moses learn more about God or grow closer to him if he isn’t there? The biggest fear of all is if God stayed behind, the honor of his favor would no longer rest on Moses or the people.
Moses brings all these concerns to God. In his request for companionship, help, understanding, and favor, God gives one answer: “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
God himself satisfied Moses’ needs. God would be his companion, offering advice, assistance, and wisdom along with every benefit from having a trusted helper with whom to share the journey. Moses wouldn’t need to go alone. God would provide the support and strength Moses needed to continue leading the Israelites in the wilderness.
God also assured Moses that his presence with him secured special privilege and favor. Exodus 33:12 says that God knows Moses by name and is pleased with him. Moses didn’t need to fear he would no longer be able to meet with God face to face. God wanted to be with him. God wanted to help him, to listen to him, and to share the burden of leadership with him. Just by having God so near so constantly, Moses’ request of knowing more of him would get fulfilled.
In addition to offering his presence, God also promised to give Moses rest. This rest isn’t a night full of good sleep or the guarantee of afternoon naps. The rest God spoke of is an offer of his grace. Rest is a revelation of grace. In God’s rest, Moses and the people would live under God’s protection and guardianship. On a more personal level for Moses, God is telling him what will happen if he is willing to release his cares to God. Moses will find delight and enjoyment in God. Moses needed to hear God say he is pleased with him, and Moses found comfort in God’s declaration of favor.
He can rest in God. He had heard the Lord speak. The time has come to move on from that place at the foot of Mount Sinai and continue the journey. With God present, Moses knows the favor will stay. Their relationship will grow deeper. The events yet to come will correspond to the words God has already spoken.
Do you have worries today of going alone, of needing help, or of making sure you have God’s favor? Bring them to God and hear him say that he is always with you. Maybe you haven’t felt rested in a really long time, and your weariness isn’t the kind that sleep can fix. Let your cares go into the hands of a God who promises you his protection and guidance. In his grace you can find rest.
