August 3 - The Glory of the Lord

August 3 - Exodus 33:12-23; 34:29-35 - The Glory of the Lord

I'm about to tell you an odd story, but it symbolizes the relationship my mother had with God. She died in March of 1987. The previous August, we had a rather amazing Family Camp with our church at a retreat center. She'd had cancer for well over a year and had been through incredible treatment for it. Of course we did our best to be positive, but we just didn't know. As she, Dad and I returned to our cabin for the night, we settled down and she told the two of us that she wasn't going to live that much longer. I think we were both a little startled, but waited for her to tell her story.

During the time of worship and prayer that evening, Mom had a vision. In that vision, she saw God. They even had a conversation because she was so shocked at how young He looked. He reminded her that He was the God of creation, not a dying God. However, the next thing that she said to Him was from Exodus 33:20 when God said to Moses, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

She just asked God - does this mean I am going to die? He assured her that she was, but that she wasn't to fear her death and she knew that she had to tell us and anyone else that would listen about the reality of the God of Creation. Seven months later, she was gone.

This is probably one of the reasons that I love these stories about Moses finding himself in the presence ... the actual presence of God. Moses had no problem pouring out his fears and doubts to the Lord. He continually stood before God pleading for the people of Israel and in this passage we find Moses again standing before God asking to be taught His ways. Look at Exodus 33:13, "If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."

It goes on to say that "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.'" (Exodus 33:14-16)

Without God walking with us, we can't afford to spend much time in the world. We will be battered and torn, we will become exactly like the world with nothing to distinguish us.

God went on to assure Moses that He would be with them and then He says, "I will do as you ask because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." He knows us by name.

Please spend time reading through the rest of this passage - God's response to Moses asking to see His glory is amazing! (Exodus 33:19-23)

When Moses comes down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets, his face was radiant because of His proximity to the Lord. He wore a veil over his face because the Israelites were so afraid of him, but he removed it whenever he entered the presence of the Lord. (Exodus 34:29-35)

These moments in the history of Israel are the centerpoint of their faith. At this time, God is giving the Law ... the essence of their relationship together ... to Moses. He went back and forth from the people to the Lord bringing forth the commandments that would cement the covenant between God and His people.