EXODUS 33
17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” – Exodus 33:17-23
EXODUS 33 MOSES REQUESTS TO SEE GOD’S GLORY
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Moses desired so much to see the glory of the Lord
He requested to be given favor to see the God he served
Because the Lord knew that if Moses sees his glory, he would die
So, he told him to go and hide in a cleft of a rock as he passed by
Moses was granted to see God’s back even though he didn’t see his face
What a privilege it was for Moses to be given that favor to see God’s presence!
Have you ever desired to see or know someone so closely and so intimately? This was Moses’ request to God. After years of obeying God and being used by the Lord to deliver his chosen people, Moses’ hunger to know his Master grew deeper as well. His relationship with the Lord grew through those forty years that he led the Israelites in the wilderness. What a big shift it was from the first time God showed himself to him in the burning bush. Moses was reluctant when he was instructed to talk to Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. He didn’t know the Lord then, but after God had used him to do miracles and wonders, Moses’ desire to want to see the Lord was insatiable.
There were only a few people in the Old Testament whom God showed himself to. Jacob wrestled with God, who assumed the form of an angel. Moses was able to be shielded from dying by God himself when he saw God’s back by instructing him to hide in the cleft of a rock. God made sure that he was safe from dying.
REFLECTION
- Share an experience when the Lord showed or made himself known to you.
