tribesofsinai2024

When we talk with people, and more importantly listen to their life stories, there is often an occasion or two where they have been miraculously assisted. There is often a question in people’s minds whether that person was a man or an angel. 

For example, after a traumatic few days detained by police, a friend of ours was escorted to a perimeter door by a high-ranking officer and told to go quickly and not look back. 

Another man tells a story of being woken in the middle of the night with the urge to dress quickly and go and sit on the hillside behind his house. Once he had sat down and was asking himself what he was doing there a car with men seeking his harm drove up to his house. They banged on the door and demanded for him to be handed over to them. To people’s surprise, annoyance, and relief he was nowhere to be found! 

Whether Muslim, Christian, or agnostic, people who tell these stories are often open to hear how Jesus helps people in need. 

The Hebrew word translated angel (Malak) is the usual word for messenger. The same word is used in Malachi 3:1 and quoted in Mark 1:2. 

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple, the messenger of the covenant.’’

Mark is introducing his Gospel as a new exodus. John the Baptist is given the role of angel messenger preparing the way. 

Jesus himself can also be seen fulfilling the role of the angel of Exodus. The Name of the LORD is in the angel. He is the one to be listened to. He is the one who guides, heals, protects, and overcomes all his enemies. 

The eternal Spirit of the risen Christ does what he has done from the beginning with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David …. He is the angel who is always with us walking, guiding, and protecting his people while he overcomes his enemies along the way. He is the LORD’s presence, the cloud and fire watching over his covenant people. 

At Mount Sinai, Moses met with the LORD who had blessed Abraham and promised to give him many descendants who would inherit the land. A land the LORD had prepared for them to dwell in with him. A land where heaven and earth would be reconciled and enjoy intimate fellowship. A people that would bless all the nations throughout all the earth. 

On the mountain, Moses met with the LORD who said he would not forgive rebellion and yet was able to extend compassion to those he chose to have mercy on and punishment on the wicked. 

Below I have listed 12 ‘‘I will’’ statements from the angel from Exodus 23:20-32.

‘’I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 

Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, 

I will be an enemy to your enemies.

I will oppose those who oppose you. 

I will wipe them out. 

I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. 

I will give you a full life span.

I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. 

I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. 

I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. 

I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. 

I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.

I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert to the Euphrates River. 

I will give into your hands the people who live in the land, and you will drive them out before you. 

Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.”

Reflection  

Which of these statements are true in Christ Jesus? 

How do they speak to your courage and faith? 

How do these statements relayed through Moses affect people in the Middle East today?  

Prayer 

Thank the LORD for his amazing deliverance of Israel from hunger, thirst, attack, idolatry, corruption, lawlessness and backsliding in the Sinai.

Thanksgiving for His faithfulness to watch over and keep His covenant.  

Praise Him that on the Mountain in Galilee, He extended the land to include the whole earth. 

Please pray for angels to see, hear, and help people in distress in the Sinai this day.