Message Notes

14th YAG RETREAT
Session #6
05 November 2011
Theme: SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP III

Text: Exodus 33-34

FURTHER REVELATION FROM GOD
Exodus 33:1-3

1. Solemn words

a) Formal sounding words

b) God will still fulfill His promise to Abraham

c) But He will not go with Israel into the Promised Land

2. The people’s response

a) Mourning

b) Realisation of the implications of these words

3. Undecided future

a) Because of their sinful inclinations

b) They were still wearing “ornaments” (instead of “fasting”)

4. Another needed response

a) The children of Israel stripped off their ornaments (symbolic gesture)

5. The place of Intercessory Prayer

a) The place of undecided future

b) Prayer response plays a vital part

ANOTHER INTERCESSORY ATTEMPT
Exodus 33:12-23

1. Quality of relationship with God matters

a) The children of Israel              Exodus 33:7-10

b) Moses’ “face to face” relationship with God              Exodus 33:11

2. Plea of Moses (#1)

a) Recalling God’s formal word              Exodus 33:12a

b) Recounting God’s personal word              Exodus 33:12b

i) You have not let me know

ii) You have said… “I know you by name”

iii) You have also found grace in My sight

c) Pleading “grace”              Exodus 33:13

i) Show me now your way

ii) That I may know You

iii) That I may find grace in your sight

iv) Consider this people is Your people

3. God’s gracious response (#1)

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest              Exodus 33:14

4. Moses’ Plea (#2)
Exodus 33:15-16

a) If Your presence does not go with us

b) Do not bring us up from here

c) How then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us?

d) So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth

5. God’s gracious response (#2)
Exodus 33:17

a) I will also do this thing that you have spoken

b) For You have found grace in My sight

c) And I know you by name

6. Moses’ plea (#3)
Exodus 33:18

Show me Your glory              Exodus 33:18

7. God’s gracious response (#3)
Exodus 33:19-20

a) I will make all My goodness pass before you

b) And I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you

c) I will be gracious

d) I will have compassion

e) But you cannot see My face and live

8. God’s special preparation/provision
Exodus 33:21-23

a) God will provide a cleft in a rock

b) He will allow Moses to catch a glimpse of His glory

c) God will especially protect Moses

9. The Revelation of God’s glory
Exodus 34:5-7

a) Descent of the Lord in a cloud

b) Proclamation of the name of God

c) He is the LORD, the LORD God

d) His attributes among others:-

i) Merciful

ii) Gracious

iii) Longsuffering

iv) Abounding in goodness and truth

v) Keeping mercy for thousands

vi) Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin

vii) Visiting iniquity

10. Moses’ Concluding prayer
Exodus 34:8-9

a) Posture: Bowing of the knee

b) Worshipped

c) Prayer

i) If I have found grace in Your sight, O LORD

ii) Let my Lord, I pray, go among us

iii) Even though we are a stiff-necked people

iv) And pardon our iniquity and our sin

v) Take us as Your people

DEEPER PRAYER LESSONS

1. Lessons about the Intercessor

a) Knowledge of God

b) Faith-relationship with God

c) Compassion for people

d) Humility

2. Lessons about Intercession

a) Experimental

b) Experiential

c) Insights

d) Comprehension of the vital role of intercessory prayer

3. Lessons about God
As He has revealed Himself              (Cf. Exodus 34:5-7)

a) Not just theoretical knowledge

b) Knowledge to be hidden in the heart

c) Life-changing knowledge

d) Challenge to cultivate a significant life-long relationship with God