Exodus 33:18-23

MOSES’ REQUEST TO SEE GOD’S GLORY, AND GOD’S REPLY TO IT.

(18-23) Not till he had received full assurance of the people’s restoration to favour did Moses prefer any request for himself. Then, however, he made use of the privilege granted him to speak with God, “as a man speaketh unto his friend,” in order to obtain a blessing for which his spiritual nature craved, and than which he could conceive nothing more desirable. “Shew me,” he said, “I beseech thee, thy glory.” All that he had yet seen of God was insufficient — only raised his desire, only sharpened his appetite to see more. He craved for that “beatific vision” which is the final reward of them that are perfected in another world. God could not grant his request in full, for it is impossible so long as we are in the flesh that we should look on God and live. “No man hath seen God at any time” (John 1:18). But He granted all that could be granted. He made “all his goodness pass before” Moses; He gave him a fresh revelation of His name (Exodus 34:6); and He even let him see some actual portion of His “glory” — as much as mortal man could possibly behold — more than any son of man had ever beheld before — more, probably, than any other son of man will ever behold until the consummation of all things (Exodus 33:22).