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Exodus 33:7-23 – Praying through the Bible #37 – A Prayer of Closeness
My imagination is not vivid enough to paint the picture of Exodus 33. That might be why this scene has always been intriguing. I wish I could hide with Moses. But if I focus on seeing what was seen, I will miss seeing what is really there.
It begins with an amazing proclamation of fellowship. Yahweh speaks to Moses “face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend” (33.11). It closes with a warning: “You cannot see my face” (33.20), followed by a blessing (33.21-23). Apparently speaking face to face is not the same as seeing face to face. Moses is as close to God as any human could be. That is the unimagined reality of this Biblical experience, getting close to God.
As God’s friend, Moses finds “favor in God’s sight” (33.12). Being approved by God is not enough for Moses. Getting closer to God is his driving desire and impelling impulse. Earlier God had said, “I will not go with you because you are a stiff-necked people” (33.3). Instead God would send a substitute, an angel (33.2). Meaning, God would still be involved, just not as personally close. This angel would be God’s “presence” (33.14). God’s substitute presence is not good enough for Moses; not because he is so good, but because He craves closeness to God. Therefore he prays, “If Your presence does not go, don’t make us go” (33.15). Paraphrasing an old hymn, “Anywhere with Jesus or nowhere at all.” Moses and Israel are even defined by their relationship to Yahweh. Their God made them different and special: “I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth” (33.16).
After Moses’ prayer, God agrees, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name” (33.17). Being known is not enough for Moses. He craves even more closeness, praying, “Please let me see Your glory” (33.18). God’s answer takes a good imagination: “I will cause my goodness to pass in front of you…. You are to stand on the rock, and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand, until I have passed by. Then I will take my hand away, and you will see My back, but My face will not be seen” (33.19,21-23). As Moses experiences a personal Passover, hear the song, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me.”
How can we get closer to God? As marvelous as the closing scene is, it is rightfully, exclusive to Moses. Earlier he prayed, “Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight” (33.13). The Bible is more than a revelation of ways; it is a revelation of God. We see God in God’s ways. This is how we too can get close to God, no imaginations needed.
Prayer Challenge: Do we crave closeness to God? That is worth pursuing in prayer. Pray as we read not to see just scenes, but to see God who reveals Himself. Pray that we will get closer to God by getting to know God.
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