Vs. 12-17
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 to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
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?”
What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?
The people of Israel have survived because of their belief in YHWH. YHWH has become part of their identity that to think of an Israelite who does not believe in YHWH is to think of an Israelite that is not an Israelite. When Moses came back from Mt. Sinai, he commanded the Levite to put to the sword those who denied YHWH by worshipping the golden calf.
Lord what will happen to us once you remove your presence? Moses asked God, because Moses knew that once the Lord removes his presence from the Israelites his people will not last. Either they will be vanquished or they will be absorbed by the other people. It is their belief in YHWH that makes the Israelites different that separates them from all the other nations on the face of the earth and this made them the chosen people of YHWH for YHWH had chosen them first (Gen. 12).
What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?
Obedience, plain and simple obedience to God.
Weekly Bible Devotional
Jacob Wrestling with the ANGEL of GOD
And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
Genesis32:23-31
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