Seeing God’s Back — Part 5: 01/19/2024

Broadcast

                      Seeing God's Back - Part 5
                            Exodus 33:21-23
                              01/19/2024


        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, seeking to see God's glory, was shown His back.
        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.


        When the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle, when the
   glory of the LORD filled the Temple, no one was able to enter.
   When Isaiah saw the throne room of Heaven, he said, ``Woe is me!
   For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the
   midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the
   King, the Lord of hosts!''4 Saint Paul reminds us that we do not
   see the full glory of the LORD, ``For now we see in a mirror
   dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall
   know fully, even as I have been fully known.''5

        We behold the glory of the LORD through the spoken and
   visible Word of God.  In the Word and Sacraments we are shown the
   fullness of God's grace, love, and mercy.  We are shown Jesus,
   and given faith in Him as our Redeemer from sin and death.
   Though dimly, we see the Son of God and have life everlasting.

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday morning
   at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of God's rich love as revealed in
   Jesus Christ.  May you continue to receive our Lord's richest
   blessings.  Amen.

   ____________________

   4. Isaiah 6:5 (ESV)
   5. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV)