Broadcast
Seeing God's Back - Part 4
Exodus 33:21-23
01/18/2024
21 And the LORD said, ``Behold, there is a place by
me where you shall stand on the rock,
22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a
cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my
hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see
my back, but my face shall not be seen. (ESV)
Moses, desiring to know more about God, asked, ``Please show
me Your glory.'' God, in His mercy, explained that a sinner
cannot see the face of God and live. Yet He was willing to show
Moses as much of His glory as possible.
And the LORD said, ``Behold, there is a place by me
where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory
passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I
will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my
back, but my face shall not be seen.
This is not the only time that the glory of the Lord was
revealed to the children of Israel. When the children of Israel
finished constructing the tabernacle, the glory of the LORD
filled it so that no one was able to enter the tent.1 When
Solomon dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem, the glory of the LORD
again filled it so that the Levites could not enter to serve the
LORD.2 Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord leave the Temple as the
children of Israel were led into captivity.3
The true glory of the Lord was revealed to us on the cross
of Calvary. The Son of God, in His humility and shame, revealed
His glory at the words ``It is finished.'' The glory of the Lord
is our salvation from sin and death.
God grant that we behold His glory through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
____________________
1. Exodus 40:34
2. 1 Kings 8:11
3. Ezekiel 10:18