Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way. (Exodus 33:3)

Knowing the extreme planning that goes into a trip to Disney “Promised Land” World these days–not to mention the cost–what’s a parent to do if their children do something off the charts horrible in the weeks leading up to the big vacation? 

Let’s imagine that parent says, “Forget it! I’ve already planned and paid for this trip, but you guys can go without me. I’m going to send a nanny with you, and they’ll have your fast passes so you can skip all the lines. If I go I’d probably lose my mind on all y’all before we even got to the park entrance.”

That sounds like a solid plan, right?

The nanny could absolutely get the children from point A to point B. When they get there, they could skip all the lines, ride all the rides, and eat all the fun Disney food. The nanny could make sure they had food to eat, beds to sleep in, and in general keep them safe. 

The kids might even like this idea at first, too. “Yay! A fun trip without cranky old mom and dad and all their rules ruining all our fun!” 

The Israelites found themselves in a similar situation. In the previous chapter, they created and worshiped the golden calf, and God was pretty fed up with them. In Exodus 33, He tells them they can still go to the Promised Land, but they’ll have to go without Him. He’ll send an angel with them instead, and they can have all the good things He’d promised them…except Him.

Sounds like a solid plan, right? 

The Israelites would get everything they’ve ever wanted without having to deal with God and all his rules and sacrifices ruining all of their fun!

Luckily, Moses was there to remind God that these were, in fact, His people. Without God’s presence, how were the Israelites any different from any other people group out there? They had His protection and His name. They were known far and wide by their God, and they’d rather not go forward without Him. They were more hungry for a relationship with God than the benefits His presence offered.

I know it’s a reach. Disney World doesn’t flow with milk and honey…more like Dole Whip and Mickey waffles! Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to decide if you were more Hungry for God Himself than the perks of having Him on your side? Thank Him today for the freedom to choose, and ask Him for the wisdom to choose rightly.