The Lord Promises to be With His People
April 6, 2022
Commentary
This passage can be divided into three sections with each introduced by the words “Moses said:”
- Moses said he wanted God’s presence to be with them as they journeyed toward the promised land (vv. 12-13). In response, God reversed his threat and promised to go with them and give them rest (v. 14).
- Moses said he wanted a confirmation that God would indeed go with them (vv. 15-16). Again the Lord agrees to Moses’ request and assures him that he is pleased with him (v. 17).
- Moses said I want to see the glory of God (v. 18). This request was fulfilled as God allowed Moses to witness His coming down visibly before him in the form of a man (vv. 19-23).
Several valuable lessons can be gained from this:
- We are unable to discover “God’s ways” for ourselves.
- God Himself can “show” us “His way.”
- It is only as God condescends to show us “His way” that we can really get to know Him.
- God does listen to our prayers and answers them 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.”