The Glory of God Exodus 33-34

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor. 3:17)

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob […] Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey but I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way. When the people heard these distressing words they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. (Ex. 33: 1, 3-4)

Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people,’ but you have not told me whom you will send with me. You have said I know you by name and you have found favour with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember this nation is your people The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”

Then Moses said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.

Then Moses said, “Now show me Your glory Then Moses said, “Now show me Your glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. […] But you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

The appearance of the divine glory is a physical sign that the Lord is present among his people. Although the visible manifestation of the glory of God is sometimes a source of dread, awe, fear, or a sign of divine displeasure, in the above examples it is a source of encouragement, comfort and hope rooted in the reality that God is present with his people and that he has not abandoned them. –Idestrom.

Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming,

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

Psalm 103:6-13 The LORD works Righteousness and justice for all oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is his love for those who fear him As far as east is from west so far has he removed our sins from us As a father has compassion on his children so the Lord has mercy on those who fear him.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. And we have seen His glory. The Glory of the Only Begotten, who came from the Father full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Heb. 1:1-3)

The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit… Now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say? “Father save me from this hour?” But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’

‘Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ (John 12:23-24, 27-33)