SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 33
BIBLE VERSES:
“ Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 333:12-14)
“And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” (Exodus 33:17)
“And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exodus 33:19-20)
The Lord told Moses to leave and go to the land He promised, the land flowing with milk and honey. But He is not going with them because they were stiff-necked people. So the people striped off their ornament at Mr. Horeb.
THE TENT OF MEETING (vs. 7-11)
The Tent of Meeting is a place where anyone is inquiring of the Lord. As Moses entered into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses face to face.
MOSES AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD (vs. 12-23)
The Lord assured Moses that His promised will go with them and give him rest. He will also do the many things he asked because God was pleased with him. Moses asked God to show him his glory. So the Lord will pass by but he cannot see His face. He will only see his back
THOUGHTS:
The Israelites were stiff-necked people, so God would not go with them. But Moses acted as the mediator. He stood between the nation and their future blessings. Jesus Christ also stood as our mediator as he prays for us.
When the glory of God passed by, Moses was not able to see God. He could only see his back. We cannot also see God because we are finite and morally imperfect. We can only know him by what he had done and and how he acts. But Jesus promises to show himself to those who believe in Him.