Moses' Glimpse of God’s Glory: The Fullness of God's Presence Revealed in Christ (Ex. 33:7-11, 18-23)

Moses used to pitch a tent outside the camp at some distance. It was called the tent of meeting. Anyone who wished to consult the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, the people would all rise and stand at the entrance of their own tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses entered the tent, the column of cloud would come down and stand at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 On seeing the column of cloud stand at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and bow down at the entrance of their own tents. 11 The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a person speaks to a friend. Moses would then return to the camp, but his young assistant, Joshua, son of Nun, never left the tent.

18 Then Moses said, “Please let me see your glory!” 19 The Lord answered: I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim my name, “Lord,” before you; I who show favor to whom I will, I who grant mercy to whom I will. 20 But you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live. 21 Here, continued the Lord, is a place near me where you shall station yourself on the rock. 22 When my glory passes I will set you in the cleft of the rock and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand, so that you may see my back; but my face may not be seen.

In Exodus 33:7-11, Moses is invited to experience a special, intimate encounter with God in the tent of meeting, a designated space where God communicates with Moses as a friend.  The passage underscores Moses' unique relationship with God, highlighting his role as mediator between God and Israel.  In verses 18-23, Moses, desiring a deeper understanding of God's nature, asks to see God's glory. God responds by revealing His goodness and mercy, yet He protects Moses from directly seeing His face, for no one can survive that direct encounter (v. 20). This partial revelation of God's glory emphasizes the distinction between God's infinite majesty and the limitations of human nature.

Moses' request represents a yearning for divine intimacy and a fuller knowledge of God's nature, which is progressively revealed throughout Scripture (cf. Ex. 34:5-7). This partial revelation foreshadows the full unveiling of God's glory in Jesus Christ, as seen in John 1:14, where "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's glory, revealing the fullness of the divine nature, as John 1:18 says: "No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him."

This connection underscores that while Moses could not behold God’s full glory, in Christ, God's glory is made visible to humanity.  This revelation points to God's salvation plan, fulfilled through Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection.  As the Word made flesh, Jesus embodies God's glory and completes the covenantal promises made to Israel - The promise of a Messiah (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Is. 9:6-7); the promise of God's presence (Ex. 33:14; Mt. 1:23); the promise of a New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Lk. 22:20); and the promise of redemption (Is. 53).

Thus, the encounter between Moses and God in the Old Testament points to the progressive revelation of God's nature, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.  This progression demonstrates the unfolding of God's plan for salvation, a plan that reaches its fullness in Christ.

Almighty God, we thank You for revealing Your glory to Moses, and for the full revelation of Your divine presence in Jesus Christ.  May we draw near to You, longing to see Your face and experience the fullness of Your glory.  Through Jesus, we are given the privilege of knowing You more intimately.  Help us to live in the light of Your truth and to share that light with others, as we await the fulfillment of all Your promises.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

                                                       

Sources

• McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
• Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
• Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
• Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
• Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
• Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.