Ex 33:1 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, saying, `I will give it to your descendants.'

     

Israel are at Mount Sinai and there have been both tremendous times of revelation of God, and of failure by the people and leadership (The Golden Calf incident). Both things might make Israel reluctant to move on. When we have an encounter with the Lord, often we don't want to leave that place; we want to prolong the encounter, e.g. Peter (Mt 17:4). When we have a particular failure, we wonder if we have any future with the Lord, and wonder if there is any point going on from here.

 

It is into such a set of circumstances that this word comes to Moses – it's time to move on. I have a plan for you. I have an inheritance for you to take. In the light of the two things above, this word first says, this isn't all you can know of me; I've got a lot more for you to experience yet in a different place. Secondly it says, I haven't given up on you. You may have failed me but I understand and I have much more for you, to challenge and mature you and take you on from this particular place.

 

God's word comes to us to encourage us on. Yesterday may have been good or bad, but there is a tomorrow waiting for you, a further aspect of God's plan for you, a place where He wants to bless and prosper you. His plan is not for you to remain like you are!