spiritual battle, Angel Drives Out Enemies (Ex.33)

God made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, which He was going to hold to;  but because of the people's sins, God would not be in their midst while that was going on.  So God sent an angel to help carry out the promise, to help guide and protect the people.

God was still "present" (since God is everywhere), but not "in" every thing).  God is holy and cannot have any relationship with or be a part of sinfulness...

(Exodus 33:1-6)  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.”

4 When the people heard this sad word, they went into mourning, and none of them put on his ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the sons of Israel, ‘You are an obstinate people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you. Now therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I shall do with you.’” 6 So the sons of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.

After the Israelites showed remorse, God was able to work in among them again, and was planning to do great miracles - - - but reminded them that they needed to be obedient - - - they needed to remain pure and set a part...

(Exodus 33:10-26)  Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.

11 “Be sure to observe what I am commanding you this day: behold, I am going to drive out the Amorite before you, and the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. 12 Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst. 13 But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim 14 —for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God— 15 otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods. 17 You shall make for yourself no molten gods.

18 “You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt.

19 “The first offspring from every womb belongs to Me, and all your male livestock, the first offspring from cattle and sheep. 20 You shall redeem with a lamb the first offspring from a donkey; and if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem all the firstborn of your sons. None shall appear before Me empty-handed.

21 “You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest. 22 You shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of In gathering at the turn of the year. 23 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel. 24 For I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no man shall covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the Lord your God.

25 “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread, nor is the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover to be left over until morning.

26 “You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

From this we see:
- angels guide
- angels protect
- spiritual realm is not influenced by our behavior

Personal experience:  when my husband and I were leading the youth group ministry, one of the girls who attended fairly regularly had confided in me that she was very afraid to be at home.  Every night, she would see bugs crawling around on her bed;  but when the light was turned on, they were not really there.

I asked her a few questions, and got to the (possible) root of the problem.  Among other things, her sister had a Ouija board in their house.  Wherever these items are, there will be demonic activity. 

When one does not have the authority or the ability to do anything about getting rid of these things or getting away from these things - - - as long as one doesn't dabble or be a part of these things, and chooses to honor God - - - you do not have to be afraid!  God is more powerful than all spiritual forces put together - and then some!!!  God is all-powerful and will protect us. 

Today's takeaway:  to really, truly put our faith and trust in the Lord means we will not feel the need to have backup plans or alternative methods...

(Proverbs 3:5-7)  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

(1 Peter 5:6-7)  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 

(Psalm 91:1-4)  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!” 3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

 (Psalm 27:1-6)  The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.
5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.