“Seeing The Face Of The LORD!”

“Seeing The Face Of The LORD!”(Ex.33:17-23).
As early as Exodus 3, the LORD God called Moses in the burning bush(3:1ff). From then on, the LORD used Moses mightily. We expect that by the time we get to Exodus 33, where we are in today’s text, Moses should have known God better than any Israelite – or anybody else. But here we are with Moses telling God: “Now show me your glory.”
A few verses earlier, the LORD had assured Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
God was not embarrassed by Moses’ request. So he told Moses, “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, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
You cannot read a person’s heart through his face. If the LORD gives you the assurance that his Presence will go with you, you do not have to press further to see his face. The LORD’S face is seen in his goodness and the impartial way in which he dispenses his mercy and compassion.
The LORD had seen the misery of his people. He heard their crying and was concerned about their suffering. And he decided to come to their rescue. It is not as if the people were righteous and devoted to him. Not at all! He did it because he is full of goodness and shows his mercy and compassion on whoever he so decides. And he does so impartially.
My friend, it is the same impartial show of his goodness, mercy, and compassion that he has given us Christ the Savior.
“Like father, like son” has never been truer as in the Sovereign LORD and his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The LORD told Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” In the same way the Son tells us, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” If the LORD’S presence go with us, we become daily beneficiaries of his goodness, mercy, and compassion.
Prayer of the day and week: Holy Spirit, open our eyes to recognise the LORD’S face through his goodness, mercy, and compassion; and replicate it to reflect his image. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed working day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
10/02/2025.