“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.”
This verse is a part of a significant encounter between Moses and God. To understand the context, let’s look at the preceding verses: Exodus 33:12-17 (KJV): “12 And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”: 15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.: 17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
In this passage, Moses is speaking with God after the incident of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32). Moses intercedes on behalf of the Israelites, and in these verses, he is earnestly seeking God’s presence to lead the people on their journey to the Promised Land. Now, let’s dive into Exodus 33:18 (KJV): “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” This verse reveals the deep yearning of Moses to see God’s glory. Moses had encountered God before in various ways, including the burning bush (Exodus 3) and on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20). Yet, here, he desires a more profound and intimate experience of God’s presence and glory.
Moses had already experienced remarkable manifestations of God’s power and presence, but he wanted to go deeper. His request to see God’s glory was not driven by mere curiosity or a desire for personal validation. Instead, it was an expression of his genuine desire to know God more intimately and to gain a deeper understanding of God’s nature. Exodus 33:19-23 (KJV) records God’s response to Moses: “19 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. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. God grants part of Moses’ request by promising to reveal His goodness and proclaim His name before Moses. However, God also explains that no one can see His face and live. Instead, He offers Moses a limited glimpse of His glory by allowing him to see His back as He passes by.
This passage teaches us several important lessons: The Hunger for God’s Presence:Moses’ desire to see God’s glory reflects the natural human longing for a deeper connection with the divine. It shows that our spiritual journey involves a continuous seeking after God’s presence and a hunger to know Him more. God’s Grace and Mercy:God’s response to Moses highlights His sovereignty and freedom to show grace and mercy to whomever He chooses. It reminds us that our relationship with God is based on His grace, not on anything we can earn or deserve. God’s Transcendence and Incomprehensibility:While God desires an intimate relationship with us, His nature is beyond human comprehension. His glory is so magnificent that mortal eyes cannot fully behold it. Yet, He meets us where we are and reveals Himself in ways we can understand and experience. Divine Revelation:God reveals Himself to humanity in various ways, such as through His Word (the Bible), creation, and personal encounters. Like Moses, we can seek to know God more deeply through prayer, meditation on His Word, and a willingness to experience His presence.
Overall, Exodus 33:18 (KJV) and the surrounding verses present a powerful message about seeking God’s glory, His grace, and His willingness to reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. It encourages us to draw near to God with reverence and humility, understanding that while we may not fully comprehend His glory, He desires an intimate relationship with His people.
