Show me Your Glory

One of my favorite OT stories is pasted below. It’s an amazing conversation between God and Moses. I think this story captures how God wants to relate to everyone.

Exodus 33:12Moses said to the LORD, ” I know that you have told me to lead these people to the land you promised them. But you have not told me who my assistant will be. You have said that you are my friend and that you are pleased with me. 13If this is true, let me know what your plans are, then I can obey and continue to please you. And don’t forget that you have chosen this nation to be your own.”
14The LORD said, ” I will go with you and give you peace.”

15Then Moses replied, ” If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.”

Exodus 34:1One day the LORD said to Moses, ” Cut two flat stones like the first ones I made, and I will write on them the same commandments that were on the two you broke. 2Be ready tomorrow morning to come up Mount Sinai and meet me at the top. 3No one is to come with you or to be on the mountain at all. Don’t even let the sheep and cattle graze at the foot of the mountain.” 4So Moses cut two flat stones like the first ones, and early the next morning he carried them to the top of Mount Sinai, just as the LORD had commanded.
5The LORD God came down in a cloud and stood beside Moses there on the mountain. God spoke his holy name, ” the LORD.” [a] 6Then he passed in front of Moses and called out, ” I am the LORD God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love, and I can be trusted. 7I keep my promises to my people forever, but I also punish anyone who sins. When people sin, I punish them and their children, and also their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” 8Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD. 9He prayed, ” LORD, if you really are pleased with me, I pray that you will go with us. It is true that these people are sinful and rebellious, but forgive our sin and let us be your people.”

17So the LORD told him, ” I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you.”

18Then Moses said, ” I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory.”

19The LORD answered:

All right. I am the LORD, and I show mercy and kindness to anyone I choose. I will let you see my glory and hear my holy name, 20but I won’t let you see my face, because anyone who sees my face will die. 21There is a rock not far from me. Stand beside it, 22and before I pass by in all of my shining glory, I will put you in a large crack in the rock. I will cover your eyes with my hand until I have passed by. 23Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back. You will not see my face.