Things are never the same when God shows up. Israel experienced this, when the covenant-keeping God of Jacob showed up after 400 long & bitter years. What changed when Israel, the house/family of Jacob, “went out from Egypt … from a people of strange language”? (1) The people of God became God’s dwelling place (sanctuary) where God ruled (dominion) (2). IOW, God’s presence changed their identity from slaves to God’s sanctuary, from bondage to blessing. God’s purpose all along was to dwell among the people he created for his glory (Isaiah 43:7) and display his benevolent rule & power & authority over them for their good. This was clearly seen in the two major (and truly awe-inspiring) events in Israel’s history: their exodus from Egypt and their entrance into the Promised Land. When God showed up, his creation was both intimidated and delighted by what he did. Both the Red Sea and the Jordan River “turned tail and fled,” when God showed up to let his people leave Egypt and enter Canaan (3, 5). This delighted mountains and hills so much they couldn’t contain their excitement at what God did on behalf of his people (4, 6). So what is the proper response to God showing up like this? God calls the earth – and me! – to “tremble at the presence of the Lord” (7). As seen above, this trembling can be both frightful & intimidating or delightful and exhilarating, depending on one’s relationship with the Creator. But this powerful Lord is not interested in just frightening people. He didn’t demonstrate his power for his own jollies but rather for the good and benefit of his people in meeting their most basic need for water (8). God did this two times for his people in the wilderness (Exodus 17 and Numbers 20). I’m in awe of that God, and so should the whole earth be. But what amazes me even more is that the Rock from which the life-giving & life-sustaining water flowed symbolized the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37-38). This life-giving, life-sustaining Rock was struck by God for my spiritual benefit. Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within me, that living water continues to flow to nourish my spirit. All I need to do now is “speak to the Rock.” I’m delighted that Jesus showed up when he did and delivered me from my bondage and brought me into all the promises of God for me in Christ Jesus. This kinda makes me want to skip like a lamb!
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