Part 1
BEHOLDING GOD'S GLORY:
AN INTRODUCTION: Exodus 33:17-23
by Max Frazier, Jr.
a short study in 10 parts
Christmas - what is this special season anyway? How would you describe it to someone who had never heard of it before? Perhaps you would use words like these: Mary, Joseph, a baby, shepherds, magi, angels, Bethlehem. Or maybe you would include these words in your description: love, joy, fear, responsibilities, incarnation, gifts. But the one word which you might easily overlook is the word "glory."
Christmas is a revelation of God's glory. The carol writers have captured that thought. Listen to the following words:
"Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation! O sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above; Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."
"Gloria in excelsis Deo."
"It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old."
"Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King."
"Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia. Christ the Savior is born."
We will be studying several portions of Scripture which describe the various aspects of God's glory. But we begin today be asking ourselves: Just what is God's glory? For an answer we turn to a man who was an authority on God's glory: Moses.
Our great text is found in Exodus 33, verses 17-23. Let us set the background for this great text. Moses had spent 40 days upon Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God. While he was absent, the leaders of Israel persuaded Aaron to build an idol for them to worship. Aaron complied with their wishes and formed a golden calf and Israel began its orgiastic rituals around it. God's anger was aroused and Moses left God's presence and returned to camp. Seething with anger at what he saw, Moses smashed the stone tablets given to him by God and rendered judgment upon the people. With the judgment accomplished, Moses returned to God to ask for 2 things: (1) that God would forgive his people, and (2) that God's presence would continue to go with them. God answered both requests.
Verse 18 records Moses' request. Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." This request came as a result of God's previous answers to his prayers. Moses was not content with just his present relationship with God. He hungered for an even deeper relationship. He wanted to witness God's glory.
This request of Moses spoke to my own heart. How hungering and thirsting am I for more of God? Perhaps I have become satisfied with what I have of God now! Yes, God has been so good to me. I have a healthy family that loves and cares for each other. I have a comfortable home with sufficient food and clothing. I have a job which I enjoy doing among a group of people whom I love.
Need I dare to ask God for more? Of things which God can give, No! But oh how I need to ask for a deeper experience with him. How I need to pray as did the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10, I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."
Dear Village Friends, Will you join with me today in praying that God would draw us deeper into himself; that we might experience the reality of his glory?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God wants us to be victors, not victims; to grow, not grovel; to soar, not sink; to overcome, not to be overwhelmed. (William A. Ward)
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