Exploring Moses’s Bold Request and God’s Profound Response in Exodus 33:18-23
Introduction
The phrase “Show me your glory” comes directly from Exodus 33:18, where Moses earnestly asks God for a deeper revelation of His nature. This moment is one of the most intimate and profound encounters between God and man recorded in Scripture, revealing important truths about God’s character, human longing, and the limitations and blessings of divine revelation.
1. The Boldness of Moses’s Request
Moses’s plea, “Now show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18), displays his deep hunger for God’s presence. Despite already experiencing God’s guidance and miracles, Moses desires more—a fuller understanding and experience of God Himself. This earnestness illustrates the spiritual principle that no matter how much we know of God, there is always more to be sought and discovered.
2. God’s Goodness as His Glory
God’s response is telling: “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19). Instead of a display of overwhelming majesty, God emphasizes His goodness, mercy, and compassion as central aspects of His glory. This teaches us that the most glorious revelation of God is found in His character and His dealings with humanity.
3. The Limitation of Human Capacity
God sets a boundary: “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). This limitation is not a denial of Moses’s request but a recognition of human frailty before divine holiness. Even the most righteous among us could not survive the unfiltered presence of God. Our knowledge of God, even at its fullest, is incomplete in this life—a sobering reminder of our humble position before Him.
4. God’s Provision and Protection
“And the Lord said, ‘There is a place by me where you may stand on the rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by’” (Exodus 33:21-22). God provides a way for Moses to experience His passing glory without being overwhelmed. The rock becomes a place of refuge and revelation, a type that points forward to Christ—the Rock of our salvation. In Christ, we find both the protection and the revelation of God’s glory that we can bear.
5. The Foreshadowing of Christ and Future Glory
The passage hints at deeper spiritual realities. The rock and the cleft are often seen as symbols of Christ, who was smitten and wounded for us. Through Christ, the brightness of God’s glory is revealed in a way humanity can receive. Yet, even this revelation is partial; the full and direct vision of God’s glory is reserved for the age to come. The experience of Moses—seeing only God’s “back”—reminds us that our present knowledge of God is limited, but the promise remains that one day we will see Him as He is, face to face.
Conclusion
Moses’s request to see God’s glory and God’s gracious, yet measured, response in Exodus 33:18-23 offer five key insights: the boldness of seeking God, the centrality of His goodness, the reality of human limitation, the provision of protection and revelation, and the anticipation of future, fuller glory. For believers today, this passage encourages us to seek God earnestly, to treasure His mercy and goodness, and to stand upon the Rock—Christ Jesus—as we await the day when we will behold His glory fully.
Minister A Francine Green
November 2025
afrancinegreen.com 