Exodus 33: 12-23
Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me. ‘If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember this nation is your people.”
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
And the Lord said, “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. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
A Thought
Moses is at the tent of meeting outside the camp alone speaking to the Lord in the same manner that a man speaks with his friend. The Lord speaks to Moses that he has found favor with the Lord and Moses is to lead his people. Moses asks that the Lord teach him his ways so that he may continue to have his favor. Moses asks how will he and his people be distinguished from all other people on the earth. The Lord states that his Presence and rest will be with Moses. Moses then wants to see his glory. The Lord answers by placing Moses on a rock and covering him with his hand until he passes by where he will only see his back side because his face must not be seen.
This week is Camp Meeting at the New Prospect Campground. It is my prayer that the Lord’s people will find God’s favor as they encounter the Presence and rest of the Lord as he passes by throughout this week.
Our Prayer
Father awaken us by your Presence that we will be different from the world around us because of your glory, compassion and mercy given to empower us to lead others to your love and mercy. Teach us your ways that we will find favor in your sight as we exalt your name. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
