105_Learning God’s ways Exodus 33:9-16 When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. 12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” There was a young man who admired a great artist and longed to learn from him. One day, he gathered the courage to approach the master and asked, "Sir, how did you become so skilled?" The artist smiled and replied, "I spent countless hours watching my master work. I listened to him, observed his ways, and imitated his strokes. The more I spent time in his presence, the more I learned his ways." In the same way, walking with God is not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him. It is being reverent before him, obedient to his word, trustful in his promises, and hopeful in his love. Exodus 33:9-16 describes a conversation between Moses and God. It unveils the depth of a relationship with God that is built on trust, dependence, and love. God always wants to dwell with his people and walk among them. This was the very reason behind Israel’s redemption. Yet, as Moses descended from Mount Sinai, he found that his people had rebelled against God, turning to idols. God threatened to leave them, with an angel to go before them and ensure their access into the land of promise. The angel would cast out their enemies and give them possession. Moses and the people were dismayed at this word. The people mourned heartbrokenly, removing their ornaments. Moses set up the Tent of Meeting outside the camp, far away from the people. While their unfaithfulness as a people had driven God away, his presence was