"Divine social distancing"

"The LORD said to Moses, 'Go, leave this place, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, "To your descendants I will give it." I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.'"

(Exodus 33:1-3)

We're nearing the end of month one of COVID-19 mandatory social distancing (at least for those of us living in "early adopter" states... but seriously, everyone should be doing this now for the sake of our most vulnerable among us!). Anyway, we've been "sheltering-at-home" for weeks now. Doing puzzles... streaming movies/tv... zooming with friends, family, and co-workers... cleaning... gardening... gaming... the list goes on.

I've enjoyed my "time at home" with my "tribe of four". So far, we haven't go on each other's nerves much. But it takes quite a bit of GRACE to live in such close proximity for so long (and this pandemic will be with us for a lot longer... maybe even another 18+ months!).

Enter today's story from Exodus 33. God has led the people out of slavery in Egypt (with a little help from Moses). They've crossed the Red Sea, found "essential supplies" in the desert. Even received "The 15... I mean, 10... 10 Commandments." Now they're getting ready to head to the Promised Land. God gives them instructions and tells them he's sending an angel to lead the way. BUT... (and are you ready for this?)... God will not accompany them. Why? THEY'RE TOO ANNOYING A PEOPLE! Well, "stiff-necked" is the phrase God uses... but it's the same point.

So basically, God is choosing divine social distancing so he doesn't "smite" his beloved people... because living with them is so annoying! (No, I'm not going to come over. You're going to be okay. I'm giving you all the resources you'll need. No, I'm not coming over. You'll be fine. Stay home!)

Who knew?!?