Moses said, ‘Show me YOUR GLORY, I pray.’ ‘And HE said, ‘I will make ALL MY GOODNESS pass before you and will proclaim before you THE NAME, THE LORD, and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy’. But HE said, ‘you cannot see MY FACE, FOR NO ONE SHALL SEE ME AND LIVE.’ And the LORD continued, ‘See there is a place by ME where you shall stand on the ROCK, and while MY GLORY passes by I will put you in a cleft of the ROCK, and I will cover you with MY HAND until I have passed by, then I will take away MY HAND and you shall see MY BACK, BUT MY FACE SHALL NOT BE SEEN. (Ex. 33:18-23)
Let me begin this with a question that has boggled the minds of Bible scholars, teachers and preachers for centuries. We attribute the first Five Books of the Bible to Moses. Moses did not come along for about 2000 years from the time GOD began HIS Creation of the world. “How did Moses know what took place?” It is easy to pass that question off just by saying, “GOD gave him a divine revelation!” I tend to disagree with that because I believe GOD showed Moses all of it when HE saw GOD’S BACKSIDE. Notice Moses asked to see GOD’S GLORY and GOD’S answer was “I’ll show you “ALL MY GOODNESS.” Notice Genesis 1:31 after GOD had completed all HIS creating and making. “And GOD saw everything that HE had made (now past tense) AND BEHOLD, IT WAS VERY GOOD. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Gen.1:31) GOD played that out for Moses to see and record. Moses only gave us what I like to call a Reader’s Digest version of the story. In order for us to know more about it GOD has allowed us to have the rest of the Bible for us to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39) and to “study to show ourselves approved unto GOD.” (II Tim.2:15) Much prayer and study and the scriptures will all come together. (Isa.28:10-13)
As humans with all our frailties we tend to think of anyone’s backside as their worst side. (I always think that applies to everyone else except me. Now don’t laugh you probably do too or you have at sometime in your life.) When we meet someone from what we consider the back woods we always assume they are unlearned or ignorant. You can have every degree education offers and still be as dumb as a rock. Preachers always like the title “Reverend” attached to their name, because they have never really studied the scriptures. Listen to the WORD of GOD: “HE sent redemption unto HIS people; HE hath commanded HIS covenant forever: HOLY AND REVEREND IS HIS NAME.” (Psa.111:9) I can assure you that I have never and I cannot ever redeem anyone and there is not one thing HOLY or REVEREND about my name or any other person’s except JESUS CHRIST. “PLEASE DO NOT CALL ME REVEREND, JUST CALL ME FOR LUNCH” We see in our scripture text that GOD proclaimed HIS NAME to Moses. HIS NAME THE LORD (ADONI, YHWH). Later HE told Moses HIS NAME is “I AM!” I exist of MY OWN from eternity to eternity, WAS, IS AND IS TO COME.
We call the person at the tail end of the race a “loser.” Moses was allowed to see “GOD’S BACKSIDE” so did he lose out? GOD’S BACKSIDE is HIS best side. “But we all, with open face beholding in a glass the GLORY of the LORD, are changed into the same image from GLORY to GLORY, EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD.” (II Cor.3:18) What does that mean? From the GLORY of GOD we received in our Redemption and Sanctification by the HOLY GHOST (Rom.15:16) we will be changed into HIS IMAGE and be like HE is for we shall see HIM as HE is and enjoy the GLORIES of Eternal Life. GOD told Moses in the place HE would meet with HIS people HE would “consecrate with HIS GLORY.”(Ex.29:43)
On many occasions the “GLORY of the LORD” was revealed to the people. In Numbers chapter 14 we find the people were ready to stone Moses and Aaron but the “BACKSIDE (GLORY/GOODNESS) OF GOD appeared” and it kept them from committing murder. On another occasion Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle and after finishing making all the offerings and they came out. Aaron raised his hands and blessed all the people and the “BACKSIDE (GOODNESS) of GOD appeared as FIRE came out from the LORD and consumed all the offerings and the people saw it and shouted and fell on their faces before the LORD, NOT ON THEIR BACKS AS WE WANT TO DO. (Lev.9:22-24) What are we trying to do, look up at HIS FACE or we hiding ours in the ROCK? Do we have a desire for an early death?
In verse 19 GOD’S answer to Moses’s request says GOD would cause “ALL HIS GOODNESS TO PASS BEFORE MOSES.” In Genesis 45:18-23 we read of the “GOOD THINGS GOD PROVIDED THROUGH Joseph” to all Joseph’s family. “For the LORD GOD is a SUN and SHIELD, the LORD will give GRACE and GLORY, NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD FROM THEM THAT WALK UPRIGHTLY.” (Psa.84:11) We can see the “GOODNESS OF GOD” in Nehemiah 9:25: “And they took strong cities and a FAT LAND, and Possessed houses FULL OF ALL GOOD THINGS, wells digged, vineyards and olive yards, and fruit trees in abundance, so they did eat and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves IN THY GOODNESS.” But, if we continue to read we see the pitiful shape the church has gotten into after such a POWERFUL BEGINNING OF GOODNESS in Acts chapter two. GOD’S GOODNESS EQUALES blessings IN abundance. Today the False Teachers try hard to convince us that GOD’S GOODNESS equates to wealth. Yes, the rich can be saved, but remember what JESUS said about it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into HIS KINGDOM. Yes, HE was actually talking about a real sewing needle and not a supposed small entrance into a city. These kinds of saying are called “Idioms” very often used to make a point. Remember “The Rich Young Ruler” that JESUS told him to sell everything and give it to the poor, but he went away sorrowful for he had much riches. (Matt. Chapter 19)
GOD not only promised HIS GOODNESS but also to PROCLAIM HIS NAME. GOD had then and now a very specific NAME called YAHWEH. That was considered an unrepeatable NAME so the leaders picked Adoni, meaning LORD. The letter “Y” in Hebrew is pronounced as a “J” and often “W” is pronounced as a “V” and there are no vowels in Hebrew but when reading Hebrew the words are spoken as though there are vowels. YAHWEH became JEHOVAH which is a “man made name.” I was told by some very close relatives on many occasions that they were “Jehovah’s Witnesses” and I always said, “So am I.” They would say, “You don’t pray to Jehovah.” I said, “Oh, yes I do for I call HIM JESUS, the English form of the Greek “ISIOUS” the Hebrew “YESHUA” THE GREAT GOD ALMIGHTY.” When GOD called Moses to return to Egypt and lead HIS people out, Moses asked GOD whom he should say sent him. GOD revealed HIMSELF as the “SELF EXISTENT ONE” HE said tell them “I AM SENT YOU FOR I AM THAT I AM!” GOD told Moses that this would be the NAME HE would be called from generation to generation. (Ex.3:13-15)
This was first of all a reminder to Moses and the people of Israel that GOD has never been under any obligation to be merciful or gracious. Man cannot earn GOD’S GOODNESS for then that would mean GRACE can only be given on merit. I would be afraid to tell GOD that I have surely earned GRACE and GOODNESS. GRACE is defined as “Unmerited Favor.” JESUS said there would be those that stand before him on that GREAT JUDGMENT DAY that will plead their case about how they had done many mighty works in HIS NAME, but HE said HE will say, “Depart from ME, ye workers of iniquity, I never knew you.” Second of all GOD’S GLORY is HIS absolute sovereignty, which absolutely means it is consistent with HIS CHARACTER. GOD is still completely HOLY in HIS judgment of sinners and of “WASHED IN HIS BLOOD BORN AGAIN CHILDREN.”
GOD’S sovereignty is found in HIS bestowal of the “GIFTS of the SPIRIT.” The Greek term for “GIFT” has “connotations of GRACE.” Then why do some have a GIFT and GOD uses them while others seem to have none? Prosperity and success are not really interchangeable, but our success is measured on GOD’S BOOKS on how we use what HE has given us. HE asked Moses at the Red Sea, “What do you have in your hand?” Moses replied, “A rod!” GOD said, “Stretch out your hand over the sea.” No, there was not a loud bang or an earthquake and the angels didn’t sing, but “The wind changed directions and began to blow from the East. GOD answered with a “Gentle Breeze” and while they slept, protected by the FIRE of the HOLY GHOST, then GOD turned the “Little Breeze” into a “RAGING MIGHTY WIND.” That wind rolled those waters up and dried the mud on the bottom of the sea and GOD’S people went across “DRY SHOD.” The Egyptians followed them and Moses again stretched out HIS HAND and the waters crashed in on the Egyptians. The “skeptics” say the waters were only ankle deep for that was actually the “Reed Sea.” Well now! That does make we shout, because GOD drowned an entire army in ankle deep water. And that “PILLAR of FIRE” set down between the Egyptians and the Children of GOD. As the Old Song says, “A WALL of FIRE about me, I’ve nothing now to fear!” Even the Devil told GOD that HE (GOD) had built a hedge about Job and that he (the Devil) couldn’t touch him if he wanted to.” You know why? Because Job was living on the “BACKSIDE OF GOD” under the “Spout where all the GLORY COMES OUT.” GOD allowed Moses to see HIS GLORY but not without restrictions which were for Moses’ own good and safety. The FORM GOD chose to show HIMSELF to Moses is called “anthropomorphism” in theological and scientific terms which is a “sophisticated” way of saying “Face to Face.” How well did you like my “Ten Dollar Word?” (Ex.33:11)
If GOD had given Moses what he asked for then Moses would have been struck dead instantly. It will only be in heaven when we will be granted to actually see HIM “FACE TO FACE.” (Rev.22:4) On Mount Sinai was a place for Moses to stand upon THE ROCK. GOD Passed by and Moses saw HIS “BACKSIDE.” GOD removed HIS HAND and Moses saw all HIS GOODNESS. GOD’S HAND was a shield. As the Old Song says, “HE’S my ROCK, my SWORD, my SHIELD; HE’S the WHEEL in the MIDDLE of the WHEEL, the LILY of the VALLEY, the BRIGHT and MORNING STAR!” Only when GOD took HIS HAND away was Moses able to see HIS “RADIANCE AND SPLENDAR AND ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF HIS GLORY.” GOD’S BACKSIDE was all that Moses could survive and yet, that was much more than any man had ever seen. Oh SHOUT! Just to see that LITTLE moment in time, even as we read about it thousands of years later still sends “ELECTRICAL CURRENTS AND STANDS MY HAIR ON EDGE.” We are able to dip a little deeper into the “BACKSIDE/GOODNESS” of GOD and with all the saints of old that have dipped in this “BACKSIDE” and have barely skimmed the surface of HIS GOODNESS; there is still plenty to deliver anyone who comes to the ROCK.
Moses met with GOD at the “Tent of Meeting” (church) which was outside the camp. (Ex.33:7) He met GOD there to renew the Mosaic Covenant that would take place on the top of the mountain. The Revelation of GOD’S GLORY was manifested to the 70 Elders (Exodus chapter 24) Peter, James and John were privileged to see the GLORY on the Mount of Transfiguration and there JESUS was talking with Moses and Elijah. GOD’S requirements are always the same for HE never changes. With the Elders came the renewal, but there was no asking them to swear to keep the Covenant as before, because man in all his wisdom cannot ever keep the fullness of the LAWS of GOD. In the first ratification GOD cut the stones and wrote the Commandments, but this time Moses had to cut the stones and write the Commandments. We have always been taught that Moses had to cut and write on the stones because he broke the first ones, but I believe if we meditate on this even with the Elders and we see Moses was doing this so GOD could truly say, “This is a covenant made between HIM, Moses and Israel. (Ex.34:27) First we are told GOD cut and wrote the stones. (Ex.34:1) Then second we are told Moses did both. (Ex.34:27-28) The story tells us GOD WROTE on the STONES through Moses. Just as GOD spoke through HIS WORD by the hand of Paul. GOD spoke in times past through the Prophets but now HE speaks to us through HIS SON. (Heb.1:1) GOD can forgive sin because HE is GRACIOUS, but at the same time because of HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (BACKSIDE) HE must also punish sin. HE also must fulfill HIS “Abrahamic Covenant” through the nation of Israel. HE keeps HIS COVENANTS to a thousand generations. (Deut.7:9-11) If GOD had punished the Children of Israel for idolatry and immorality as HE had threatened to do (Ex.32:10) then there would never have been a second or third generation. There would never have been a generation of Israelites for MESSIAH to have come through. There would have never been a line of King David for JESUS to be a part of. Let us make a parallel analogy here. Our nation, which has forsaken GOD and ruled HIM out of our classrooms, or courts, our homes and most of all our churches and said, “We will call for YOU at a more convenient time, but for now we are too busy making our own rules and we will continue to elect anyone and everyone who stands for the wrong and speaks lies in the name of truth.” “But when the time comes and we are overrun by an enemy we will do as before we will head for the “Sanctuary” and call for YOUR BACKSIDE to be shown to us so we will know we will be delivered.” That is what Samson did as he played around with sin and when he finally let it be known about his vow then it was too late when she cried “The Philistines be upon you!” She had done that before and he rose up out of her lap of filth (illicit sex, transgender-ism, sex changes, abortions, climate worship, rebellion, alcohol, drugs, filthy jokes, filthy movies, homosexuals) and this time he said he would do as he had done before, BUT THIS TIME THE PHILISTINES BOUND HIM, PUNCHED OUT HIS EYES AND MADE HIM GRIND IN THEIR MILL. Don’t listen to false prophets on the air ways that are promising you that everything is going well. GOD is not mocked for whatever you are sowing that is what you shall reap.
Image Credits: Artvee.
