GOD'S NAME IS HIS CHARACTER
I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim before you my name. Ex. 33:19, R.S.V.
A multitude of renegade Hebrew slaves was camped in the desert. Their main activity seemed to be complaining and fighting among themselves. God had worked marvelously for them, delivering them from Egyptian bondage, but they were in bondage still--to misconceptions about the character of God and His intentions concerning them.
Moses, their leader, was deeply troubled over the nation's lack of confidence in their deliverer God. Chosen by God to be His spokesman to this simple-minded people, Moses knew that they would be able to comprehend only as much as he himself could clearly explain. Therefore he longed to know God better. One day he asked God to show him His glory.
Moses was not seeking a mere display of light and power. God's glory signified His presence--as in the pillar of cloud and fire. God understood that Moses desired to be near Him in order to know Him better, both for himself and for the sake of the people he was trying to lead to the Land of Promise. Moses asked, "Show me now thy ways, that I may know thee and find favor in thy sight. Consider too that this nation is thy people" (Ex. 33:13, R.S.V.).
Answering his request, God hid Moses in the rock and passed before him, revealing His glory--proclaiming His name. When Moses described what he had seen, he used words that describe God's character. He proclaimed his assurance that God is merciful, gracious, patient, abounding in steadfast love, faithful, forgiving, and just (verses 19-22), R.S.V.). By this, God encouraged Moses to nurture and guide His people. In essence, God was saying to Moses, "Show them who I am by the way you govern them."
Hundreds of years later, God again "passed before" mankind in the person of His Son. In that wonderful life "we have beheld his glory" "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14, R.S.V.). As we go to teach all nations about Him we might well remember that the best way to show who He is, is by relating to others in the same way that He relates to us. We may be compassionate, long-suffering, constant, and true. And God's promise to us is the same as it was to Moses: "I will be with you." We will be in such close relationship that we will be secure enough to act this way.
I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim before you my name. Ex. 33:19, R.S.V.
A multitude of renegade Hebrew slaves was camped in the desert. Their main activity seemed to be complaining and fighting among themselves. God had worked marvelously for them, delivering them from Egyptian bondage, but they were in bondage still--to misconceptions about the character of God and His intentions concerning them.
Moses, their leader, was deeply troubled over the nation's lack of confidence in their deliverer God. Chosen by God to be His spokesman to this simple-minded people, Moses knew that they would be able to comprehend only as much as he himself could clearly explain. Therefore he longed to know God better. One day he asked God to show him His glory.
Moses was not seeking a mere display of light and power. God's glory signified His presence--as in the pillar of cloud and fire. God understood that Moses desired to be near Him in order to know Him better, both for himself and for the sake of the people he was trying to lead to the Land of Promise. Moses asked, "Show me now thy ways, that I may know thee and find favor in thy sight. Consider too that this nation is thy people" (Ex. 33:13, R.S.V.).
Answering his request, God hid Moses in the rock and passed before him, revealing His glory--proclaiming His name. When Moses described what he had seen, he used words that describe God's character. He proclaimed his assurance that God is merciful, gracious, patient, abounding in steadfast love, faithful, forgiving, and just (verses 19-22), R.S.V.). By this, God encouraged Moses to nurture and guide His people. In essence, God was saying to Moses, "Show them who I am by the way you govern them."
Hundreds of years later, God again "passed before" mankind in the person of His Son. In that wonderful life "we have beheld his glory" "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14, R.S.V.). As we go to teach all nations about Him we might well remember that the best way to show who He is, is by relating to others in the same way that He relates to us. We may be compassionate, long-suffering, constant, and true. And God's promise to us is the same as it was to Moses: "I will be with you." We will be in such close relationship that we will be secure enough to act this way.
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