March 25 – Exodus 34
Isn’t it tough to live in this world and not become like this world? Jesus Christ prayed for His disciples and for us in John 17. There he said, “I do not ask You to take them out of this world, but to keep them from the evil one…As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (v. 15,18). As ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), we are providentially placed here on earth to be witnesses of the Lord Jesus and to lead people to saving faith in Him. For this reason, Jesus prayed that we not be taken out of this world. The danger of course lies in living in this world because Satan is on the loose and seeking whom he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). Thus, we are told as far back as Exodus 34 not to become entangled in the affairs of this world.
In this chapter Moses makes a new set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments as he had smashed the previous set in anger over the golden calf that Aaron had created as an idol for the people. Here we are reminded of some of the precious characteristics of the nature of God the Father. 34:6 says, “The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness (mercy) and truth.” Oh how they, and we still today, need these attributes of God displayed in our lives. Where would we be if were not for grace? Moses prayed to God for forgiveness and that His presence would once again go with them. God’s response was to renew His covenant with Israel and to ask that they walk in obedience to the covenant.
That nature of the covenant revolved around faithfulness to God and the avoidance of committing spiritual adultery with the peoples of the world. In verse 12 God says, “Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst” (see vv.12-17). God knew the tendencies of His people and He knows our hearts today. We are told, “Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33).Likewise, in 2 Cor. 6:14 it is written, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers (unequally yoked); for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” I think of two things as I write this devotion. First of all as mentioned above, God knows our propensity to sin and knows that if we linger to close to sin we are more than likely going to fall. Secondly, when we consider that fact that the Bible clearly teaches that we are the bride of Christ and He is our husband. This is a matter of faithfulness to the One who died for us; the One who emptied Himself of His glory and took on flesh to live among us and to redeem us unto Himself. To entangle ourselves with the sinful things of this world is to commit adultery against Jesus Christ.
Beloved, He died that we might live. He has provided everything that we need in this life for peace, joy, contentment, fulfillment and yes – salvation. Like Hosea, Jesus came to the marketplace and found us naked, embarrassed, used up and hopeless having given ourselves to the world. Jesus walked into our world, covered our shame with His robe, paid the price for our lives, and made us new. All He ask in return is that we love Him exclusively with our whole being. We will find He is a faithful and really good husband.