Bible in one year & weekly message Moses’ prayer (Psalm 90 & Exodus33:12-23) 9/11/ 2022 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year & weekly message Moses’ prayer (Psalm 90 & Exodus33:12-23)

9/11/ 2022  

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

Book IV Psalm 90 -106

         Psalm 90 a prayer of Moses the man of God. In this oldest of all the psalms, Moses acknowledges the eternality of God(vv.1-2), the frailty of man (vv.3-6), the sinfulness of man(vv.7-8), the shortness of life(vv.9-12), and prays for God’s grace on His people(vv.13-17). Verse 3 in contrast to God, who is eternal (vv.1-2), man is frail and will return to dust, according to the curse of Gen.3:19. The longest span of any human life ( Methuselah lived 969 years) is but a day to God, who is no more bound by time than a day to God, who is no more bound by time than is a man who sleeps through the night watch. (v.4). Verse 11 Who takes to heart the intensity of God’s wrath against sin and therefore gives Him due reverence? When God deals with us in unfailing love life will be joyous(v.14), it will be viewed from His perspective (v.16), and His blessing will be on our work(vv.16-17).

            Psalm 90:1-17

            Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by. Or like a watch in the night. (vv.1-4).

 You sweep men away in the sleep of death;  they are like the new grass of the morning—though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. (vv.5-6).

            We are consumed by your anger anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.(vv.7-10).

            Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (vv.11-12).

Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (vv.13-14).

            Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. (vv.15-16).

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands (v.17).

The prayer of Moses ( Exodus 33:12-23)

 

            Moses said to the Lord, “ You have been telling me, ‘ lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘ I know you by name and you have found favor with me’.. if you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” (Exodus 33:12-13).

             The Lord replied, “ My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14).

Then Moses said to him, “ If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? (vv.15-16).

And the Lord said to Moses, “ I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “ Now show my your glory.” (vv.17-18).

And the Lord said, “ I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But He said, “ You cannot see my face, for no one may se me and live.” (vv.19-20).

Then the Lord said, “ There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock, and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.(vv.21-23).

 

Implication /Application

 1)      Whatever we go, make sure that God’s presence is with us. As Moses’ prayer, “ If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?”

2) Make sure that God’s favor and unfailing love rest upon us so that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. The Lord’s assurance to Moses is “ My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14). “ I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 

3) God is the only one who establish the work of our hands.

4) Are you consumed by God’s anger and terrified by God indignation?  Is there anger and  wrath in your life, repent and seek God’s forgiveness.

5) Number you days aright that you may gain a heart of wisdom.

   

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.