Exodus 33:17-23: a reflection

17The LORD said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the LORD’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” 20He said, “You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live.” 21The LORD also said, “Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22It will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”

When Moses boldly asks, Please show me your glory, God grants a gracious but measured answer. I will make all my goodness pass before you, he says, and will proclaim the LORD's name before you. But: You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live. God would reveal himself to Moses, showing his goodness and proclaiming his name; yet he would veil his full glory, which no one could bear to see and live. He revealed as much as Moses could bear, hiding him in the cleft of the rock, showing his goodness while veiling what would overwhelm.

Notice how God revealed himself: graciously, but as much as Moses could bear. God did not refuse Moses' request outright, nor did he show his unveiled glory, which would have destroyed him; he revealed himself in a measured way, showing his goodness, proclaiming his name, while veiling the full glory no one could bear. God accommodated himself to what Moses could receive, revealing his goodness while sparing him what would overwhelm. His revelation was gracious, giving Moses as much of himself as Moses could bear, no less and no more.

That gracious, measured revelation is worth taking to heart, for God reveals himself to us too as much as we can bear, graciously accommodating himself to us. We could not bear the full, unveiled glory of God; it would overwhelm us. But God does not therefore leave us in the dark; he reveals himself graciously, showing us his goodness, making himself known as much as we can receive, supremely in Christ, in whom we behold his glory. Do not be discouraged that you cannot see or comprehend all of God; he reveals himself graciously, as much as you can bear, showing his goodness. Receive the gracious revelation God gives of himself, his goodness made known as much as you can bear, supremely in Christ, rather than demanding to see all his glory, which no one could bear and live, as God showed Moses his goodness while veiling the full glory; for God accommodates himself to us, revealing his goodness as much as we can receive, and fully in the face of Christ.

Lord, when Moses boldly asks, please show me your glory, you grant a gracious but measured answer. I will make all my goodness pass before you, you say, and will proclaim the LORD's name before you. But: you cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live. You would reveal yourself to Moses, showing your goodness and proclaiming your name; yet you would veil your full glory, which no one could bear to see and live. You revealed as much as Moses could bear. Show me how you revealed yourself: graciously, but as much as Moses could bear. You did not refuse Moses' request outright, nor did you show your unveiled glory, which would have destroyed him; you revealed yourself in a measured way, showing your goodness, while veiling the full glory no one could bear. You accommodated yourself to what Moses could receive. Your revelation was gracious, giving Moses as much of yourself as he could bear. Take that gracious, measured revelation to my heart, for you reveal yourself to me too as much as I can bear. I could not bear your full, unveiled glory; it would overwhelm me. But you do not therefore leave me in the dark; you reveal yourself graciously, showing me your goodness, supremely in Christ, in whom I behold your glory. Keep me from being discouraged that I cannot see or comprehend all of you; you reveal yourself graciously, as much as I can bear. Help me receive the gracious revelation you give of yourself, Lord, your goodness made known as much as I can bear, supremely in Christ, rather than demanding to see all your glory.