Scripture to Read: Exodus 23:20–22
God had finished giving Moses the Ten Commandments, but God continued to reiterate several of His commands. God was making sure the Israelites knew what was expected of them to walk in right fellowship with Him. God also wanted them to fully understand what He would do for them as they passionately pursued Him by walking in obedience to Him. God promised to “send an angel” before them to guard the Israelites as they walked into the promised land. This was not a created angel but this was, and is, the Angel of the LORD. It was Jesus, as we have seen before, appearing in the Old Testament before His incarnation in Bethlehem. God told them (in Exodus 23:21) that His name was in Him (the Angel of the LORD). The name Yahweh is in Jesus. We also know that Jesus’ name is “Yeshua” (Deliverer, Savior). It was Jesus Who was with Israel in all their wilderness experiences. God the Father warned Israel to obey His voice and not to rebel, for He would not pardon their sin. Was God being unwilling to forgive? Not at all, but the Israelites’ disobedience would show they were not surrendered to Him. Just as all sinners today have been offered God’s forgiveness through Christ, these same sinners have chosen, by their disobedience, not to receive God’s forgiveness through Christ and also walk in the fullness of Christ. God then promised the Israelites that if they obeyed the voice of the Angel of God, God would be against all of their enemies and adversaries—what a promise!
Challenge & Application
· God was making sure the Israelites knew what He expected from them; so, how does God do that for us today?
· How have you seen God protect you from your enemies (Ephesians 6:12) because of your relationship with Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!