“And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”
This verse is part of a significant encounter between Moses and God on Mount Sinai. To understand the context better, we should look at the surrounding verses as well.
In Exodus 33, Moses pleads with God to show him His glory. God responds by promising to make all His goodness pass before Moses (Exodus 33:19). However, God also tells Moses that no man can see His face and live (Exodus 33:20). God’s glory is so overwhelming that it would be too much for a mortal to behold.
Then, in Exodus 33:23, God tells Moses that He will take away His hand, and Moses will see His “back parts,” but His face will not be seen. This passage has been a subject of various interpretations and discussions among biblical scholars and theologians. Here are a few key points to consider:
Anthropomorphism:The use of phrases like “back parts” and “face” is anthropomorphic, meaning it ascribes human-like qualities to God to help us understand Him better. God is spirit, and as such, He does not have a literal body with physical parts like humans. These descriptions serve to convey the idea of God’s revelation to Moses in terms Moses could grasp.
Partial Revelation:When God says Moses will see His “back parts,” it implies that Moses would receive a partial revelation of God’s glory. In other words, God would reveal some of His attributes and character to Moses, but not the entirety of His being.
Limitations of Human Understanding:The passage highlights the limitations of human understanding when encountering the divine. While God accommodates our limited understanding, there are still aspects of His nature that transcend human comprehension.
God’s Mercy and Grace:Even in revealing a partial glimpse of His glory to Moses, God shows His mercy and grace. Moses had a close relationship with God, and God responded to his request for greater understanding.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Revelation:The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God to humanity (John 1:14, Colossians 1:15). In Jesus, God became flesh, and through Him, we can have a deeper understanding of God’s character and love.
In summary, Exodus 33:23 emphasises the mystery and transcendence of God’s nature. It highlights the limited capacity of humans to fully comprehend the divine and the need for God’s gracious revelation to understand Him better. As we seek to know God more deeply, we can find comfort in the knowledge that, through Jesus Christ, God has made Himself more accessible to us, inviting us into a relationship with Him.
