How was the Glory of God Revealed to Moses? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

Throughout the Bible, God has revealed Himself to us. His desire is that we might come to see His Glory shining forth, drawing us to Him. He reveals His Glory in many ways. Sometimes, it is through revealing His Sovereignty, His Grace, His Love, His Faithfulness, His Just Righteousness, and His Almighty Power. In the life of Moses, He revealed His Glory through all of these methods. Moses saw His Glory in a burning bush that called Him into service. He watched the mighty Hand of God at work in redeeming His people from Egyptian Slavery. His Grace and Faithfulness were displayed in His dealings with His people. However, never did His Loving Grace overshadow His Just Righteousness. All were displayed with equal significance.

He led His people with a cloud by day and fire by night. We must not forget this. In everything He did, He remained true to Himself. Faithfully, He led the people; even, when they disappointed Him. Through hardship and trial, they learned to trust in Him. Sometimes, they foolishly forgot all of what He had already done. Much like we, they at times doubted Him; forgetting He Sovereignly knew what was best. He parted the Red Sea that they might cross over on dry land, safely allowing them to cross and destroying their enemy. Despite all that He did to display His Glory, how often did they fail to trust Him with the next trial they faced? How often, did they moan and complain rather than to praise Him?

What About Us?

That seems to be the story of mankind. Over and over again, God displays His Glory to us and we so quickly forget when we face the next trial along this journey. We forget to keep our eyes focused on Him.

Moses: “JUST TO SEE GOD’S GLORY”

As Moses climbed Mt. Sinai, the Glory of God covered the mountain in the form of clouds and fire. Moses had no fear facing the clouds and the fires. He climbed steady to the place where God would meet him and talk with him.

Moses asked God to show him the fullness of His Glory.

“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

¹⁹And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

²⁰And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

²¹And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

²²And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

²³And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen” (Exodus 33).

When Moses returned to the people, his face shone so brightly they could not look upon him and he had to wear a veil.

SEEING HIS GLORY IN EVERYTHING

God is preparing us to one day stand before Him to see the fullness of His Glory. Sometimes we must face the fiery trials in this life, so we might learn to trust in Him. Every attribute of God is a part of His Glory. John Piper wrote:

And from cover to cover, the great dominating reality of the Bible is that this infinitely valuable, infinitely pure and beautiful divine uniqueness — this God-ness — shines forth through creation and through all the acts of God in history and in redemption as the glory of God, that is, the outward radiance of the intrinsic worth and beauty and greatness of his manifold perfections.

I refer to the radiance of the beauty of his “manifold perfections” because the Bible can speak of the glory of God’s might (2 Thessalonians 1:9) or the glory of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:6), etc. And it can simply speak of the glory of God. So, I take the glory of God to be the radiance of the intrinsic worth and beauty and greatness of his manifold perfections. Every attribute of God is a facet in the diamond that is the glory of God.[1]

The Glory of God

God knows that we cannot truly know joy, unless we truly know Him. Everything else is counterfeit; because, He is the ultimate perfection that our hearts desire and cannot find apart from Him. If I am to find happiness and peace, it can only come from knowing Him. All else fails in comparison. Once I gain a glimpse of Glory; because, He by grace allows it to awaken my heart to desire Him, then I cannot be satisfied with only knowing a fraction of that Glory. Furthermore, I become willing to endure whatever hardship it takes to awaken my heart further to knowing Him.

ATTRIBUTES OF HIS GLORY

Give Him honor for who He IS and praise for what He has done
His Glory is intrinsic to who He IS and has been eternally equally Glorious. He doesn’t need anything to make Him glorious and there is nothing we can do to make Him more Glorious. He is self-perpetuating.
One day in our glorified bodies we shall see God face to face. For now, the brilliance of that Glory is more than we can face. It is like a white light shining so brightly exposing every particle of dust within our hearts. Look at how Paul described the presence of God, where Jesus sits beside the throne.

That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. I Timothy 6:14-16

A Glimpse of Glory

Yet, Christ willingly clothed Himself in human form, that we might see God and that He might pay the penalty for our sin. He displayed Glory in all that He did and said. Yet, only on the mount of transfiguration did He peel back His humanity for a moment to allow a glimpse of the brilliant white light of His Glory to shine forth, revealing that it was so much more than our human eyes can see or our minds could comprehend.

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.’

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (Matthew 17:1-7)

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

We were created to be vessels which reflect His Glory to the world, drawing men to desire Him. Next time we will explore that idea further; but, for now I leave you with this question. Do you want to see His Glory as Moses did? Or as the Peter, James and John on the the mount of transfiguration? It may be through fiery trials; but, can you like Moses say: “Show me more of Your Glory Lord, whatever it takes, I want more of You and less of me.”

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

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ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.

WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”

Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.