How does Exodus 33:13 relate to understanding God's ways in Psalm 103:7? The heart of Moses’ plea “Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight.” (Exodus 33:13) - Moses isn’t satisfied with God’s gifts; he wants God Himself. - “Your ways” points to God’s character expressed in His actions—how He thinks, feels, and moves. - Moses links knowing God’s ways with deeper fellowship (“that I may know You”) and continued favor. Psalm 103:7—David looks back “He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the children of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7) - “Ways” (to Moses) versus “deeds” (to Israel) draws a line between intimate understanding and mere observation. - David confirms that God answered Moses’ request in Exodus 33:13. - Israel saw miracles (Red Sea, manna) yet often missed God’s heart; Moses entered the cloud and learned God’s nature (Exodus 34:5-7). Connecting the two passages • Exodus 33:13 is the prayer; Psalm 103:7 is the fulfillment. • Moses models a pursuit of relationship—seeking why God acts, not just what He does. • Psalm 103 celebrates God’s compassion, patience, and steadfast love (vv. 8-14), qualities Moses discovered firsthand in Exodus 34:6-7. Why this matters today • We can move from spectator to participant—asking God to reveal His ways so we truly know Him (Psalm 25:4). • Understanding God’s ways anchors us when His deeds confuse us (Isaiah 55:8-9). • Jesus perfectly reveals God’s ways (“I am the way…” John 14:6); abiding in Him brings the intimacy Moses tasted. Supporting Scriptures to deepen the study - Deuteronomy 29:29 — God’s “revealed things” invite obedience. - Hebrews 3:7-11 — Israel’s hard hearts missed God’s ways. - Psalm 103:8-14 — a catalog of the ways God showed Moses. - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 — through Christ the veil is lifted; we, like Moses, behold God’s glory and are transformed. Living it out • Open Scripture daily, looking for God’s character, not just commands. • Trace God’s consistent ways—holiness with mercy, justice with love—from Genesis to Revelation. • Let every answered prayer, every providence, point beyond the deed to the heart of the Doer. |
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