“And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:”
Background and Context:In this passage, Moses is having a conversation with God on Mount Sinai. He desires to see God’s glory. God responds to Moses’ request by promising to show him His goodness and proclaim His name. However, God also explains that no one can see His face and live because of the holiness and majesty of His presence. Instead, God provides a way for Moses to experience His glory partially, by placing him in the cleft of a rock and covering him with His hand as His glory passes by.
Theological Themes:
- God’s Glory and Holiness: The passage highlights the incomprehensible glory and holiness of God. His presence is so intense that no human can fully behold His face and survive. This concept underscores the absolute majesty and otherness of God.
- God’s Grace and Mercy: Although God cannot reveal His full glory to Moses, He demonstrates grace and mercy by allowing Moses to see His back parts. God is compassionate and gracious even in the midst of His holiness.
- God’s Revelation of Himself: God proclaims His name before Moses, revealing something of His character and attributes. While Moses can’t see God’s face, God still offers a partial revelation of Himself, which is a privilege and an act of divine condescension.
Application and Lessons:
- Humility and Reverence: When we approach God in prayer or seek to know Him more, we must do so with humility and reverence. God is not to be taken lightly, and we should acknowledge His holiness and greatness.
- God’s Presence with Us: Just as God was present with Moses and guided him through challenging times, God is also with us in our lives. We may not see His full glory, but we can experience His grace, mercy, and guidance if we seek Him with a sincere heart.
- Partial Knowledge of God: We must recognise that, as finite beings, we can never fully comprehend God’s vastness and complexity. However, He reveals Himself through His Word and our experiences, and we can grow in our understanding of Him day by day.
- Trusting God’s Sovereignty: God’s response to Moses reminds us that He is sovereign in His choices. He decides to whom He will show grace and mercy. As humans, we must trust in His wisdom and love, knowing that He always acts according to His perfect will.
