Thursday, November 06, 2008

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah


Exodus 33:12-22


Moses continues his 'tude display talking to God. He says- Look- you keep telling me to lead, but you haven't told me who You're going to send with me. You told me that You know my name and You're happy with me- but if that's the case- then how about shedding some light on how You work. Teach me Your ways- I'd like to be able to keep pleasing you...but I'm struggling.


Remember... we're talking about Your people here.


God simply replies, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."


Moses doesn't let it ride. He says, If you're not going to send your "presence" then don't send us at all. How will anyone know that You're happy with us if You send us on without You? Without You, nothing distinguishes us from the rest of the people on earth. You're all that we have that makes us special.


And God more or less reinforces what He's been saying what Moses already knows, Ummm... I said I'm going to send my presence.  "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."  Maybe I'm reading to much into it, but it seems like God is saying... Look Moe, have I deserted you yet?  Haven't I done what I said?  I'm here, I'm going to be here, I'm coming with you.  

Moses keeps his haughty tone and tells God, "Now show me your glory."

This is a bizarre request.  What does it even mean, show me your glory?  My contact with that phrase has usually been in the context of without clothing.  She didn't know the guests had arrived and she entered the room in all her glory.

I don't think Moses is asking to see God's body parts- but maybe in a sense he's asking for something metaphorically similar.  

Let me see You without any pretense, without anything hidden, the way You really are.  Back a couple of paragraphs he's asked God to "teach me your ways" - and maybe this is a poetic way of saying- God, let me see through all my misconceptions, all the blinders, all of the physical and spiritual obstacles and let me see you as you really are.

That's an amazing concept.  To see God as he really is.  Not through our own perspectives that include our own agendas, our political philosophies, our denominational biases, our judgmental self-righteousness, but to just see God, as God, THE real God, not just my constructed God.  And maybe that's what Moses is pleading for- I want to understand... let me see you.

God's response is puzzling-  "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."

First he says ok, I'll do it for you- and you'll know it's me  But then he ties mercy and compassion with his own physical appearance.  Maybe He's saying- I'll do it for you- but realize this Moses, I'm choosing to do this.  You haven't argued your way into this situation.  I have mercy and compassion on who I choose- I'm choosing you- I don't owe you this, but I'll do it for you.

The catch is that Moses won't be able to see God's face.  I don't understand why- but something about God's face would mean the end for Moses or any other inadvertant passerby.  I'm guessing this was all thought out beforehand.

At this point why doesn't Moses say...great!  Show me your face and bring me home?  I'll gladly endure whatever follows if the result is to make it to the true promised land.  The concept of heaven might not be something Moses is well versed in- but God certainly isn't making him that offer.

He does, though, offer his protection.  He points out a rock for Moses to stand on and tells him that at the right time He'll put him in the cleft of the rock and cover him with His hand until He has passed.  Then He'll take off His hand and Moses will be able to see His back.

It seems odd to take comfort in the form of God's back- the back could indicate God turning His back, or ignoring Moses,or walking away, but here it's a sign of compromise, a sign of comfort, a sign of protection.  I'll protect you from what you can't face.  I'll turn away so that you can live.