Show Me Your Glory: A Glimpse of God's Majesty

Text: Exodus 33:18 (NIV) — “Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’”

Introduction:

In Exodus 33, Moses has a powerful encounter with God. After Israel’s sin with the golden calf, God threatens to withdraw His presence from the people. However, Moses boldly intercedes for Israel and asks to see God’s glory. This passage teaches us about the significance of God’s glory, His presence, and how we can seek and experience Him today.

1. The Desire for God’s Presence (Exodus 33:1-6)

• God instructs the Israelites to continue their journey to the Promised Land but says He will not go with them because of their stubbornness (v. 3).
• Moses’ Response: Moses recognizes that God’s presence is more important than the destination itself.

Without God’s presence, even the best blessings are meaningless.

Application: Do you value God’s presence above the blessings He provides? Seek His presence daily through prayer, worship, and the Word.

2. God’s Friendship with Moses (Exodus 33:7-11)

“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”

• Moses enjoyed an intimate relationship with God, speaking with Him “face to face.” This was a privilege that foreshadowed the close relationship believers have with God through Christ.
• Friendship with God: God desires a personal relationship with each of us, not just religious rituals.

God’s glory is revealed through a personal and intimate relationship with Him.

Application: How is your relationship with God? Invest time in cultivating intimacy with Him through consistent communication.

3. The Request for God’s Glory (Exodus 33:12-18)

• After God reassures Moses of His presence, Moses boldly asks, “Now show me your glory” (v. 18).
• What Is God’s Glory? God’s glory is the manifestation of His divine attributes—His holiness, power, love, mercy, and truth.

The ultimate desire of every believer should be to experience God’s glory in a personal and transformative way.

Application: Is your greatest prayer to know God more deeply and experience His glory in your life?

4. God Reveals His Glory (Exodus 33:19-23)

• God responds to Moses’ request by revealing His goodness and proclaiming His name. However, Moses is only allowed to see the back of God’s glory, not His face.
• God’s Holiness: God’s glory is so overwhelming that no one can see Him fully and live.
• God’s Mercy and Sovereignty: God reveals that He will show mercy and compassion to whom He chooses (v. 19).

God’s glory is both overwhelming and gracious, it reveals His holiness and His mercy.

Application: Approach God with reverence, acknowledging His holiness while rejoicing in His mercy.

5. Experiencing God’s Glory Today

Through Jesus Christ, we have access to God’s glory in a way that Moses could not fully experience.

• John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.”

Through Christ, we are invited to continually behold and be transformed by God’s glory.

Application: Seek to reflect God’s glory in your character, actions, and relationships.

Conclusion:

Exodus 33 teaches us that God desires to reveal His glory to those who seek Him. Like Moses, we must value God’s presence, pursue an intimate relationship with Him, and boldly ask to see His glory.

Key Lessons:

• Seek God’s presence: Make it your priority above all else.
• Desire God’s glory: Pray for a deeper revelation of His character.
• Reflect God’s glory: Live a life that honors Him and draws others to Christ.

Closing Verse: Psalm 27:4 — “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of knowing You. Show us Your glory and transform us by Your presence. May our lives reflect Your holiness and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.