Comment: I have dared to add to the scripture, but not in blacker type. Some things I have drawn attention to by underlining. I think that the passage is pretty self explanatory. Obviously it would be nice for those with very tidy minds if Moses, whom I assume is the source of this material even if someone later under the Hand of God tidied it up a bit, had stated exactly where the various passages fit in! Today seems to me a summary of God and Moses talk when Moses first climbed Mt Sinai.
Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ When did God say this? Was it at the burning bush? Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” Surely Moses must have been very conscious of what he was being asked to do! Was he ‘shaking in his shoes’ to dare say this to Jehovah God? Would you dare to say the underlined portion when you were talking face to face with God? And he (God) said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he (Moses) said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” This sounds as if Moses was very comfortable about being straightforward and honest with God. But as God reads our hearts rather than our lips, I guess absolute honesty with God is the best policy!
And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Names are important. Moses means ‘drawn out of the water’ – but surely being rescued led onto him being prepared for leadership! Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he (God) said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” We cannot even imagine what God looks like, He is so majestic. Moses saw His back (whatever that means) – we can see the footprints where He has walked! As He has walked as Creator and as Saviour of Lost souls – gloriously changing and sustaining His people!
Proverbs: 21: 23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Prayer: Even though I cannot see You I thank You that I can read of Jesus and talk to you in prayer.
As I read it! 