“And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”
Context:In this verse, God is speaking to Moses after the incident of the golden calf, where the Israelites turned away from God and worshipped a false idol. As a result of their disobedience, God threatened to withdraw His presence from the people. Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites, and God, in response to Moses’ prayers, promised to continue leading them on their journey to the Promised Land.
God’s Sovereignty:The verse emphasises the sovereignty of God. He declares that He will show His goodness, proclaim His name, and bestow grace and mercy on whom He chooses. God has the absolute right to show mercy to sinners and extend His grace to those who seek Him.
God’s Goodness:Despite the Israelites’ rebellion and sin, God promises to make His goodness pass before them. This shows us that God’s goodness is not dependent on our merit or performance. His goodness is inherent in His nature and is extended to us out of His love and compassion.
God’s Grace and Mercy:The verse highlights God’s willingness to extend grace and mercy to whom He wills. This demonstrates that salvation is a gift from God and not something that can be earned through works. God is free to show His mercy and grace according to His divine purposes.
God’s Name:God proclaims that He will reveal His name to Moses and the people. Knowing God’s name signifies understanding His character, attributes, and nature. God desires to be known and acknowledged for who He truly is.
Intercession of Moses:The verse is a result of Moses’ intercession on behalf of the Israelites. Moses’ role as an intercessor reveals the importance of prayer and seeking God’s mercy on behalf of others. Intercessory prayer shows our compassion for others and aligns our hearts with God’s heart.
Unconditional Love:Despite the people’s disobedience, God does not completely abandon them. His love remains steadfast, and He continues to lead them forward. This reflects God’s covenantal love, which remains faithful even when we fall short.
Application:
As we reflect on Exodus 33:19, several applications come to mind:
- Humble ourselves before God:Recognise God’s sovereignty and submit to His will. We cannot manipulate or control God but must trust in His goodness and wisdom.
- Seek God’s grace and mercy:Approach God with humility, acknowledging our need for His grace and mercy. Recognise that salvation is a gift from Him and not based on our merit.
- Study God’s name and character:Dive into the Scriptures to learn more about God’s name and attributes. Understanding who He is helps us build a deeper relationship with Him.
- Engage in intercessory prayer:Follow Moses’ example and pray for others. Interceding for others demonstrates love and concern for their well-being.
- Trust in God’s unfailing love:Even when we stumble or face difficulties, trust in God’s enduring love and guidance He remains faithful to His promises.
In conclusion, Exodus 33:19 reminds us of God’s sovereignty, goodness, grace, and mercy. It teaches us to approach God with humility, seek His face, and trust in His steadfast love.
