Moses longed to see the glory of God. I have puzzled over what Moses was asking for when he asked the Lord to show him His glory. After all, he saw the burning bush, he witnessed the plagues in Egypt, and he saw the opening of the Red Sea. He saw the cloud and the pillar of fire, and he saw the consuming fire on the mountain. He received the Ten Commandments directly from God’s hand, and he spoke with God, face to face, as to a friend. What did he think he lacked?
When God said no one could see His face and live, it implies the full realization of His splendor and majesty is reserved for heaven. The full understanding of who God is will surely overwhelm us in the next life. We are incapable of seeing and understanding Him completely now in our mortal bodies. In a sense, God may have been saying to Moses, “I have shown you already who I am. If I showed you any more, you would be dead.”
God took Moses again to the top of the mountain, again took him into the cloud and again gave him the commandments (Exodus 33-34). (Moses broke the original tablets when the Israelites broke the commandments as they worshiped the golden calf Exodus 32:19.) When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God hid Moses in the cleft of a rock, and said His “goodness” would pass by.
The glory of God is the sum of all His attributes. It is everything He is. We can only see glimpses of His glory now. Perhaps His goodness is a summary of everything we can know about Him now. He is good–all the time. He reaches out to us in unchanging goodness in everything He does for us. In all our questions or doubts, all the circumstances we don’t understand, our faith rests on the knowledge that God is good. He has good plans for His people. He works everything out for our good.
God’s goodness is evident in the beauty of creation. His goodness is shown in the fact that He created us for relationship–we can know Him. His goodness is expressed in His Word. He demonstrated His goodness and mercy by not destroying Israel for their sin and rebellion. Nor does He destroy us for our failings.
God’s goodness is most evident in Jesus. Jesus fulfilled all the commandments we fall short of keeping. All of us who believe in Him and accept the gift of His death and resurrection for our sin are covered by His righteousness.
Moses asked to see God’s glory. God showed him more of what he already knew. When God gave Moses new inscriptions of the commandments, and passed by, Moses bowed in worship. After being in the presence of the Lord, his face glowed. Moses was changed.
At a time in my own life, when I wanted to know God in a deeper way, He helped me understand what I already knew. I wanted a deeper prayer life, greater understanding of Scripture, and more meaningful times of worship. What I received immediately was a broken wrist, a challenge to our finances, and a broken friendship. All of which showed me my greater need of Him–which eventually resulted in experiencing the greater intimacy for which I had longed.
Moses longed to see the glory of God. God showed him his need for what He had already given. Moses bowed in worship. It is the appropriate response when we get glimpses of His glory–the glory which is all around us already. Lord, open our eyes to see your glory.
Jesus said, . . .“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
John 11: 40 ESV
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
I’ve been reflecting on His glory and His presence also. The infinite, eternal Majesty, Creator, has wanted me to share in His goodness here and now, fills me with awe and my soul rejoices. BC to see Him would consume me, yet He was present.
AD His Spirit within me is living water springing up washing away the grime of sin, whole, and making me more like Him daily. I’ve got a new heart. He even said I have a new scent, fragrant aroma. This is continuing happening while I live. Someday He’ll give me a new name, new body, new clothes, new time zone—eternity.
Jesus was unveiled and many were blinded and many were given sight.
I’m longing for the throne room, all of us, OT, NT, angels, creatures; the ones who died for Jesus, come out from waiting and join the circle, the kaleidoscope of the rainbow circling and penetrating, (disco mirror ball), the song is Holy Holy Holy, we are on our faces, bowing, crying, offering our crowns, our selves; then we join hands and dance together the steps of old around His throne singing and praising Him. Remember periods can represent years!
Then Jesus stands, we stop. He takes our hands and joins in the dance.
Then to each of us, do you like it? I did it just for you! Look here! Do you see the flower, fruit, house, tree ? I’ve been waiting so long to show you and give you all I’ve created for you.
Do you see him or her? Your love of Me changed them to love Me.
Did you see the animals striving together? Do you hear the birds singing? Over here, see the water creatures I made, for you. See how beautiful they are. No one breaks in and says may I have this dance. Nothing, no one, will come between me and Jesus, you and Jesus. All Jesus shows us will bring more love to thee, sweet Jesus.
Yes, I am a lot excited. And now a lil tired.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Janet.
Thanks for your thoughts, Phyllis. Perhaps Moses couldn’t get enough of God – and wanted to see more and more. And yet, most of Who God Is, is for heaven.
I think you are right, Joni. Thanks.