READ: Ex. 33:12–23: … My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest … Please, show me Your glory …
In his plea before the LORD in the tent, Moses refers to an earlier conversation in which the LORD spoke about him: “I know you by name” and “you have found grace in My sight.” These words testify to God’s recognition of Moses as His servant and to His love for him. The LORD wishes to show Moses His goodness and mercy.
Moses connects his plea with the desire to know the LORD’s way of grace (v.13). He emphasizes that Israel as God’s own people, may appeal to His faithfulness, care, and mercy.
In response to Moses’ plea, the LORD considers whether His presence will go with him to give him rest. Moses not only affirms this but also provides a compelling reason: if he and God’s people have found grace, then this must be evident in God’s presence with them; this is the proof that they are chosen as His own people (v.16). God shows His grace and patience to Moses by agreeing to his request..
Moses, as intercessor, is a type of the coming Lord Jesus Christ. It is only through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that God now turns away from His righteous wrath against His people. Only His sacrifice is the ground for forgiveness, including the forgiveness of sins commited in the Old Testament.
The sin offerings brought then all pointed to that sacrifice and had no power in themselves (Heb. 9–10). It is noteworthy that the LORD does not now immediately demand a sin offering on the altar. Later Moses will explicitly ask again for forgiveness (34:9).
Grateful for God’s answer, Moses dares to ask something extraordinary: “Show me Your glory.” Moses asks this as a sign accompanying the LORD’s promise. This is impossible for a mortal man.
Yet the LORD is willing to give Moses a sign of the assurance of His grace. He will allow him to see something of Himself: not His face, but His back. This is already very remarkable.
Do we long to see our Savior?
Sing: Ps. 43:3–4