The Lord commands the people to go to the Promised Land (v1). God promises to send and angel to help them drive out their enemies (v2). But the sting in the tail is that the Lord says He will not go with them because of their previous sin and the danger that He would consume them (v3).

Moses calls this a disastrous word (v4) and the people don’t wear their jewellery as a sign of contrition (v5-6). One of the problems repeated here is that these people are ‘stiff-necked’, they are stubborn and slow to bow to the Lord in humility and obedience.

As we think of this announcement, in one sense we could say well this wouldn’t be too bad, for the Lord will through this angel continue to bless and give them the Promised Land! But the reason they call it disastrous is losing fellowship and the presence of God in their lives. Verses 7-11 describe what made these people of Israel so unique; it was God coming to meet with them in such a real, intimate and glorious way.

The challenge for us is do we have the spirit of these people and particularly Joshua who longed to stay in the presence of God? How important is it to you, to know the presence of God in your life? Pray about this.