Understanding Scripture

[Notmyname]

I’m Just wondering does anyone understand this scripture and if so could you explain it to me


Exodus 33:3 New International Version (NIV)

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are stiff necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

 

[Notmyname]

Here is the old version


unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee, for thou art a stiffnecked people, lest I consume thee in the way.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I think we struggle with such scriptures because we have such a limited appreciation of the Holiness of God who hates sin.

We have instead presented God as a daddy.

Remember when someone reached out to steady the ark of the covenant and was struck down dead on the spot.

Maybe God knew their spiritual state was so sinful that they would not survive in His presence. So He withdrew from them as an act of mercy.

 

[HTacianas]

I’m Just wondering does anyone understand this scripture and if so could you explain it to me


Exodus 33:3 New International Version (NIV)

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are stiff necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

It's an admonition to the Israelites that God would not tolerate their continued misbehavior.

God promises to send an angel to guide them but says at 33:3 that He would not be "in your midst". That's a rabbinic phrase that often describes the "shekinah" or "glory of God". There were times that the shekinah was present with the Israelites and times the shekinah wasn't.

You can read about the Jewish concept of the shekinah at the Jewish Encyclopedia.

SHEKINAH - JewishEncyclopedia.com

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I’m Just wondering does anyone understand this scripture and if so could you explain it to me


Exodus 33:3 New International Version (NIV)

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are stiff necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

Israel complained and rebelled for the entire 40 years in the desert. God was just fed up at their lack of faith and obedience so he only allow those 20 years and younger to enter (with the exception of Joshua and a few other obedient leaders). Many of the older Israelites wanted to return to Egypt. The younger generation had no memory of that time as they were born during the desert sojourn so the nation was really starting fresh when they finally entered Canaan. God also told Moses that he would remain with those whose "carcasses would fall in the desert". Joshua, a type of Christ, would lead Israel, a type of the church, into the physical promised land, a type of the kingdom/heaven.

 

[AvgJoe]

because you are stiff necked people

Question: "What does the Bible say about being stiff-necked? Is being stiff-necked the same thing as being stubborn?"

Answer: To be stiff-necked is to be obstinate and difficult to lead. The Bible often uses this figure of speech when describing the attitude of Israel toward God (e.g., Exodus 33:3; Deuteronomy 9:13; Nehemiah 9:16; Acts 7:51). The term was originally used to describe an ox that refused to be directed by the farmer’s ox goad. When a farmer harnessed a team of oxen to a plow, he directed them by poking them lightly with a sharp spike on the heels or the neck to make them pick up speed or turn. An ox that refused to be directed in such a way by the farmer was referred to as “stiff-necked.” A stiff-necked animal (or person) refuses to turn the head in order to take a different path.

The Israelites were familiar with the term stiff-necked, so when the Lord used it to describe them, they got the message. Every farmer well understood the frustration of trying to plow a field or transport a cart when an ox was being stiff-necked. An ox that refused to be guided was useless for any real work. A stiff-necked ox was a disappointment in that it was not performing the task it was designed to perform. When God’s chosen people refused to love Him, honor Him, and obey Him, they were not living the purpose for which God chose them as His own (see Isaiah 41:8–9; Jeremiah 7:23–24; Exodus 19:5–6). God made His will clear to the Israelites, and their disobedience was rightly referred to as being stiff-necked and hard-hearted. As Israel rebelled against God, they ignored the “goads” that God used to try to redirect them.

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, used the term stiff-necked when he told the Jews they had murdered their Messiah. He said, “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him” (Acts 7:51–52). For his truth-telling, Stephen was stoned to death.

All human beings were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) for the purpose of reflecting His glory as we walk in fellowship with Him. But, since Adam’s sin in the Garden, we want to go our own way (Romans 5:12). God sent His Son to pay the penalty for that rebellion, and yet millions continue to reject His offer (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:16–18). Those who have the opportunity to know God but serve themselves instead are following the example of Israel in being “stiff-necked” (Hebrews 3:7–12).

God promises to guide His loved ones, and He pleads with them to not be stiff-necked:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you” (Psalm 32:8–9).

www.gotquestions.org/Bible-stiff-necked.html

 

[Thess]

This is a very difficult question to answer because there is so much more than what you've been told, thus far, is the answer to your question. Therefore, I suggest, that because this is an enormous topic that you're realizing that you desperately must understand (you're waking up!), it is so important that you look up and begin to study what God's "Mysterious Plan" is.

In this study you will discover many incredible teachings, such as that the Law is essentially a three-stage system. 1st, Pre-Law of Moses 2nd, Law of Moses From It's Inception to Christ Raising Himself From the Dead (only for the Jews) 3rd, Post-Law of Moses - Now Operating By God's Moral Laws Written on All Peoples Hearts, both Jew and Gentile (Gentiles are those who worship God's that do not exist or none at all.)

In this study, you will discover the Incredibly, Almighty and Powerful, Holy Spirit. And when you do, you're entire life will change.

Great question....great job! I believe in your Godly and Righteous future, for certain.