“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.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.’ When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments….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 favour with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you. Remember that this nation is your people.’ The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exodus 33:1-4, 12-14)

To echo the famous lyrics of Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” Not only are stores and shopping malls decorated with all of the Christmas frills, and houses throughout the city draped in Christmas lights, but the spirit of Christmas is in the air. For some, usually kids, this is a joyous time of year. For others, usually parents, this is a frantic time of year. Kids of all ages get to enjoy multitudes of presents; while parents of those children endure multitudes of shoppers. In all the hustle and bustle that is Christmas, often presents become central to our focus. “What am I going to get?” or “What am I going to give?”

Phonetically, the word “presence” sounds just like “presents”. However, they couldn’t be more contrasting in their definitions. While “presents” is simply a synonym for gifts, “presence” means to be in a certain place, space, or proximity. A parent’s “presence” is very different from a parent’s “presents”. And interestingly, while one’s “presence” can atone for one’s lack of “presents”; usually, one’s “presents” cannot make up for one’s lack of “presence”. An absent father cannot make up for his absence by simply buying gifts for his child. Many children have sadly experienced this reality.

When it comes to our relationship with God, especially this time of year, we can often focus on the wrong word: “presents” instead of “presence.” Instead of being consumed by God’s presence, we become consumers, buying and shopping for presents. One leaves us feeling
full of joy and content, while the other leaves us feeling satisfied in the moment, but dissatisfied and unfulfilled shortly thereafter. Like the leech mentioned by Agur in the Proverbs, “‘Give! Give!’ they cry.” (Proverbs 30:15) In Moses’ time, God’s people had to choose between the presence of God and the presents of God. Because of their sin in worshipping a gold statue, shaped in the form of a calf, God commanded His people, “Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you…” It is fascinating that God would still allow His people to enter the Promised Land. This decision is especially shocking when you consider that Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of what would seem to be a much lesser sin of striking a rock for water instead of speaking to the rock as God commanded. Yet, despite worshipping a golden idol, and breaking the very first commandment that God etched into a stone tablet, the people were allowed to enter.

Even more amazing is that God promises to send an angel ahead of His people to drive out all of the opposing nations living in the Promised Land. Again, this is surprising when you consider that God did not even do this for Joshua, who was faithful to the Lord. God made Joshua fight his way through Canaan. So why is God being so generous to His people in light of their grievous sin? Why is He seemingly offering them this great “present” when they didn’t deserve it? Well here is the catch: “But I will not go with you.” Yes, God would give them all that they wanted. He would give them the “presents”, but He would remove His “presence” from them. The people fully understood that this was far more of a punishment than not being able to enter the Promised Land. In fact, the Bible says, “When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn.” They knew that God’s presents could never make up for His lack of presence.

What do you value more, God’s presence or His presents? Do you value the things God gives you, since “every good and perfect gift is from
above,” (James 1:17) or what God is to you? Thankfully, Moses understood what was at stake. He cried out to God and prayed that God would not remove His presence from His people. God answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

The word “rest” in Hebrew is nuach. It is not referring to sleep, but to peace. This rest is only promised as a byproduct of God’s presence. And it did not mean that they would have a conflict-free life as they entered the Promised Land, but that they would have an inward peace as they marched through the external chaos. I pray that we can all experience this type of rest this Christmas season; not one that comes from “presents”, but a peace that can only come from the “presence” of God! To Him be the glory!

Evan Bartholomew