12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” Exodus 33:12-23 NIV
Moses entreats not only for himself but also on behalf of the people, and always within the context of God's words and promises to them. He does not assume rights outside of this, and there is no indication of superiority or special knowledge. In fact, he asks the Lord, "if you are pleased with me, teach me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you."
For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. 11Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. 12I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.…Psalm 86:10-12
Moses wants to see God, and has already known of Him by His wondrous acts and miracles, but would like to know Him face to face. It is a normal response, to want the cloud of mystery removed and to stand before His majesty. Many people today demand it as part of their argument against a living God, a designer of all that appears designed. He does not owe Moses anything, nor can those, whose very breath and code rely upon a Creator, ever make claim to such demands by merit. He will have mercy upon whom He wills, for there is no one owed anything but the wages of sin, except one in Whom there was no sin. That part would answer the rest of Moses question today, "whom you will send with me?"
"But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.…John 6:36-38
Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father '? 10"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.…John 14:8-10
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I, Psalm 61: 1&2
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