Open Word

FIRST READING

Exodus 33:7-23

Verse 7. Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. Verse 8. Then, whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would stand at the entrances to their own tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. Verse 9. As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. Verse 10. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent. Verse 11. Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent. Verse 12. Then Moses said to the LORD, “Look, You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.’ Verse 13. Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people.” Verse 14. And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Verse 15. “If Your Presence does not go with us,” Moses replied, “do not lead us up from here. Verse 16. For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight, unless You go with us? How else will we be distinguished from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Verse 17. So the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.” Verse 18. Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” Verse 19. “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name — the LORD — in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Verse 20. But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” Verse 21. The LORD continued, “There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock, Verse 22. and when My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Verse 23. Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.”

PSALM

Psalm 78:17-20, 52-55

But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High.

They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.

They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?

When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”

He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.

He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies.

He brought them to His holy land, to the mountain His right hand had acquired.

He drove out nations before them and apportioned their inheritance; He settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

SECOND READING

Acts 7:30-34

Verse 30. After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. Verse 31. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight. As he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came to him: Verse 32. ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Verse 33. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. Verse 34. I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’