THE GLORY OF THE LORD!

“When Moses went up the mountain, the cloud covered it. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day he called to Moses from the cloud. The appearance of the Lord’s glory to the Israelites was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop. Moses entered the cloud as he went up the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights” (Exodus 24:15–18). Atop the holy mountain, for an unfathomable and unforgettable season, Moses was immersed in the holiness and glory of God!

The personal and intimate relationship that Moses shared with God is unique. “The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Adam and Eve enjoyed an unhindered communion with God in the unstained Garden. Not since then had a creature experienced such a close relationship with the Creator. Moses knew God and experienced God’s glory.

So, is it strange to hear Moses pray, “Please, let me see your glory” (Exodus 33:18)?

Let’s ponder three truths.

First, I don’t think that Moses was praying selfishly. He wasn’t asking that God would reveal Himself to Moses alone, but rather that God would reveal Himself to the Hebrew people that Moses was charged with leading.

Second, this episode follows the Golden Calf saga. As a result of the people’s sin, God had told Moses that He would send His angel to lead them to the Promised Land. God said,

“I will not go up with you because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way” (Exodus 33:3). In response, Moses pleaded for God’s merciful presence. God relented. “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14).

Moses may be pleading, “Show me a sign that you will go with us… Demonstrate Your faithfulness by revealing Your glory! Please, show me Your glory!”

And third, God did it! As Moses stood in the “cleft of the rock” (Exodus 33:22, NKJV), he caught a quick glimpse of God’s presence (Exodus 33:20-23). More importantly, all of Israel saw the glory of God! “The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle … The cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey”(Exodus 40:34, 38).  

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).