As Moses prepares to lead the Israelites from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, he is concerned about who will go with them. He believes that the presence of an angel would be an insufficient substitute for God’s direct presence.
As Moses pleads with God for His accompaniment, he unveils profound truths that would benefit us all to integrate into our lives.
Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’
Now if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people.”
He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here.
For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth” (Exodus 33:12-16).
Moses’ request, “Please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight,” should be on our lips each morning before we start the day.
As we pray with Moses, let’s incorporate the words of the Psalmist.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
That I may walk in your truth;
Give me an undivided heart to revere your name. (Psalm 86:11)
How are God’s people recognized? Moses declared that God’s direct presence would distinguish the Israelites from all other nations.
For Christians today, Dallas Willard’s teaching perfectly aligns with this concept. He emphasized that genuine followers of Jesus are recognized by living a “Jesus kind of life,” which is characterized by the discernible presence and work of the Holy Spirit within them.
A Vision of God’s Glory
Beyond merely understanding God’s ways, Moses also yearned to experience His glory.
While for some, “glory” might produce images of a superstar scoring a touchdown, a perfect basketball shot, wielding political power, or accumulating vast wealth and prestige, Moses’ request to see God’s glory was a profound desire to comprehend His very nature and character.
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you the name, ‘The Lord,’ and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one shall see me and live.”
And the Lord continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 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; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen” (Exodus 33:18-23).
God’s glory is intrinsically linked to the proclamation of His name. In this context, “God’s name” encompasses His very essence: His nature, character, personhood, divine teachings, and the ethical and moral standards He upholds.
Here, God’s name particularly highlights His mercy, grace, compassion, and profound love for humanity.
When the psalmist praised the Lord’s glory, he emphasized how God cares for society’s most vulnerable.
Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
He upholds the orphan and the widow,
But the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. (Psalm 146:6-9)
God doesn’t need to display His wealth or perform grand shows of power. Instead, He humbly reaches down to lift the broken, bringing them to a place of the best life possible.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 