Topical Bible: Glory of God: Exhibited to Moses

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The concept of the "Glory of God" is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing the majesty, holiness, and divine presence of God. One of the most profound instances of God's glory being exhibited is found in the encounter between God and Moses on Mount Sinai. This event is pivotal in understanding the nature of God's glory and His relationship with His chosen people.

Biblical Context

The encounter between God and Moses regarding His glory is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus. After the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, they camped at Mount Sinai, where God established His covenant with them. Moses, as the mediator of this covenant, frequently ascended the mountain to commune with God.

Exodus 33:18-23

In Exodus 33, Moses makes a bold request to God: "Please show me Your glory" (Exodus 33:18). This request comes after the incident of the golden calf, where the Israelites sinned by worshiping an idol. Moses, interceding for the people, seeks reassurance of God's continued presence and favor.

God responds to Moses' request with both grace and caution. He agrees to make His goodness pass before Moses and to proclaim His name, the LORD, but He also sets a boundary: "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live" (Exodus 33:20). God instructs Moses to stand on a rock, and as His glory passes by, He will cover Moses with His hand until He has passed, allowing Moses to see only His back (Exodus 33:21-23).

Exodus 34:5-7

The fulfillment of this promise occurs in Exodus 34. The LORD descends in a cloud and stands with Moses, proclaiming His name and attributes: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished" (Exodus 34:6-7). This revelation of God's character is a profound expression of His glory, emphasizing His holiness, justice, and mercy.

Significance

The exhibition of God's glory to Moses is significant for several reasons:

1. Revelation of God's Nature: The encounter reveals essential attributes of God—His compassion, grace, patience, love, and justice. These attributes form the foundation of God's covenant relationship with Israel and, by extension, with all believers.

2. The Mediator Role of Moses: Moses' unique position as a mediator between God and Israel is highlighted. His intercession and desire to know God more deeply reflect the heart of a true leader and servant of God.

3. The Holiness of God: The restriction placed on Moses, that he cannot see God's face and live, underscores the holiness and otherness of God. It serves as a reminder of the reverence due to God and the separation between the divine and the human.

4. Foreshadowing of Christ: In Christian theology, this event foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's glory in Jesus Christ. As stated in the New Testament, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

The exhibition of God's glory to Moses is a profound moment in biblical history, offering deep insights into the character of God and His relationship with humanity. It remains a source of inspiration and awe for believers, encouraging a deeper pursuit of knowing and experiencing the glory of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 34:5-7
And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 33:18-23
And he said, I beseech you, show me your glory.
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Library

The Same Conclusion Supported by the Transfiguration Marcion ...
... to [4359] Christ, it is still not from another God, or to ... after that Moses and Elias
had been exhibited along with Him in the honour of His glory, and had ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the same conclusion supported.htm

On Heresies.
... heat of the sun; [3174] and had exhibited to them ... number of ten commandments; [3175]
"to whom God spake face ... Thou their offering." [3179] And the glory of God ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on heresies.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 1, "After Six Days Jesus ...
... "For the heavens declare the glory of God ... "When they heard this, they fell" to the
earth. See then in the Church is exhibited to us the Kingdom of God. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxviii on the words.htm

Of the Wisdom of Moses, which was an Object of Imitation to the ...
... too, indeed was the united spirit exhibited by those ... followed, and have won surpassing
glory by their ... Heaven, [3454] the providence of God conducted Daniel to ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xvii of the wisdom of.htm

The First Part
... have been sculptured in any other form than that in which they were exhibited? ... and
of the same temple "filled with smoke from the glory of God?" But what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

Fourth Day. Holiness and Revelation.
... After having in the flood exhibited His righteous judgment against sin, He calls
Abraham to be the father ... In losing the light of the glory of God, we have ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/fourth day holiness and revelation.htm

The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
... They exhibited a faint and general outline of the mediation and glory of ... Work of
MESSIAH , the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, the brightness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvi the ascension of.htm

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians the Creator the Father of ...
... [5689] Now, if Marcion's god has exhibited or proclaimed ... and the gospel, and the
veil, and Moses"nay, the ... Now since God's glory is, that so great a treasure ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xi the second epistle to.htm

The New Covenant: a Covenant of Grace
... and truth." "The law was given by Moses grace and ... of meetness for God's indwelling,
that the glory of grace ... he tells us of "the grace of God" exhibited in the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xiv the new covenant .htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... their wings, thereby concealing the view of God, not only ... prophets depict the Seraphim,
who are exhibited to us ... that the refulgence of the divine glory is so ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm