God Promises to be with His People
April 6, 2022
Commentary
This passage can be divided into three sections, each beginning with the words “Moses said.”
1. Moses said he wanted the LORD’s presence to go with them as they journeyed toward the promised land (vv. 12–13). Moses reminded the LORD that the people belonged to Him and that he needed divine guidance to lead them. In response, the LORD graciously reversed His earlier warning and promised to go with them and give them rest (v. 14). His presence would be their greatest protection and comfort.
2. Moses said he wanted assurance that the LORD would indeed go with them (vv. 15–16). He boldly declared that if the LORD’s presence did not go with them, they would rather not move forward at all. Moses knew that only the LORD’s presence would make Israel unique among all the nations. Once again, the LORD answered Moses’ prayer, assuring him of His favor and friendship (v. 17).
3. Moses said he wanted to see the glory of the LORD (v. 18). Moses longed for a deeper experience of God. The LORD agreed to reveal His goodness and compassion, but explained that no one could see His full glory and live. He placed Moses in the cleft of a rock and allowed him to see His back as His glory passed by (vv. 19–23). Through this, Moses experienced the holiness and grace of the LORD.
Several valuable lessons can be learned from this passage:
1. We cannot discover “God’s ways” by ourselves.
2. Only God can “show” us “His way.”
3. Only as God reveals His ways, do we come to truly know Him.
4. God does listen to prayer and answers according to His will.
Application
Just as with Moses, the Lord frequently has to test us to see where and in whom our real confidence lies. I don’t necessarily like to be tested but know it is for my good and God’s glory!
Exodus 33:12–23 (NET)
12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have been saying to me, ‘Bring this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. But you said, ‘I know you by name, and also you have found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your way, that I may know you, that I may continue to find favor in your sight. And see that this nation is your people.”
14 And the Lord said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 And Moses said to him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not take us up from here. 16 For how will it be known then that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not by your going with us, so that we will be distinguished, I and your people, from all the people who are on the face of the earth?”
17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have requested, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”
18 And Moses said, “Show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the Lord by name before you; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious; I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.” 20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place by me; you will station yourself on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and will cover you with my hand while I pass by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen.”
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