Your Presence and Your Glory

Exodus 33 shows the aftermath of the golden calf. God offers Israel the land, an angel and victory, but not His own presence among them, lest I consume you on the way (33:3). His holiness and their sin cannot dwell together. The people mourn and strip off their ornaments. Their gold earrings had been used to make the calf (32:2-4). True repentance grieves the loss of fellowship with God.

Moses meets God in a temporary Tent of Meeting outside the camp. There God speaks face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (33:11), an expression of close fellowship. Moses intercedes boldly: If your presence doesn't go with me, don't carry us up from here (33:15). He understands that God's presence is what makes Israel distinct from all other nations (33:16). God grants the request: My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Moses then asks, Please show me your glory. God answers by proclaiming His name and His goodness: I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy (33:19). Paul quotes this in Romans 9:15 to show that mercy is God's free gift. God shields Moses in the cleft of the rock because no one can see His face and live. Christians have read this as a picture too; hymns like Rock of Ages picture Christ as the rock where sinners hide safely. In the New Testament, Paul says the glory of God shines in Jesus and in a face we can behold (2 Corinthians 4:6).