Discuss Exodus 33 Page 3

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God is good all the time.......God is good

Hello Tony. I remember your question coming up a few weeks ago, so it remains fresh in my mind.

We know from Exodus 33:18-23, when Moses desired to see God's Glory, the LORD gave him clear instructions as to what would happen; i.e. His Glory (His Goodness) would pass by Moses but his eyes would be shielded from seeing God's Face, "for shall no man see me, and live" (v20).

So, if this is such a clear Truth that was given to Moses, & then we read "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." (v11), how should we understand it? It seems correct to understand this ("face to face") as a metaphor to describe the closeness that Moses shared with the Almighty, as when a friend shares intimately with his friend. With that in mind, we can almost hear the words & tone of voice that Moses used to speak to God in verses 12-18: one of a special friendship, having liberty to speak from the heart. Just as we today might speak to God from our heart as submissive loving children to our Wise & altogether loving merciful Heavenly Father.

We have many other metaphors used in the Bible: e.g. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 describe Paul's special love for the believers there as a nursing mother feeds, cares & protects her children. Or, Matthew 3:16, showing the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. Even though some Churches depict the Spirit as a dove (which is heresy: Deuteronomy 4:15-19), we see the Spirit's descent was observed in a special revelation to John, like the slow graceful descending of a dove - no bird involved here at all. So Moses speaking to God 'face to face' is given in similar fashion - a picture of intimacy yet Moses being shielded & withheld from instant death.

He was speaking to God as we would to a friend, Exodus 20 explains that it is impossible to see God's face and live.

the rest of chapter 33 explains what happened in detail.

Exodus 33:9 "And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses."

Exodus 33:11 "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."

Exodus 33:18-23 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And 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. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And 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: 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

What does that interpret? Did Moses actually saw god, the whole face?

Hello Marie. These verses can be confusing as we are not given a lot to work with to get a full understanding. We can see that in verse 11 ("the LORD spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend"), that Moses is describing the close presence of the LORD in the Tabernacle as opposed to God's Words coming to him from a distance (i.e. from Heaven) or as how the prophets received God's messages for the people. And this 'closeness' is representative of a friend speaking to a friend intimately, which requires both close proximity & maybe a hushed conversation.

And then we read something of their conversation (vv 12-17) before Moses, in that intimate meeting, then begs: "shew me thy glory." To which the LORD replies that He will make all His Goodness (also referred to as His Glory v22) pass by him. It appears that Moses has been transported away from the Tabernacle, into a rock's cleft, so that God's Glory may pass by him, revealing His Glory in Spirit, yet Moses being prevented from seeing the Face of God. We are not told why seeing God's "back parts" & not God's Face is so different that can warrant Moses' demise - but that's what it is.

Verse 11 says: And the LORD spake unto Moses, face to face, but in verse 20: it says "Thou can not see my face, for there shall no man see me, and live. I'm confused between these two verses. Can someone please explain what the different? Thank you and God bless you.

Hello Mary,

As I would like to give you my aspect of this unforgivable sin. There are many that believe "once saved always saved" which is not in the Bible but a made up interpretation of picking verses. There is Scripture to prove that someone can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and lose that gift. Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-29, 1 Timothy 4:1 etc. Now I would only have to see one verse like that for it to touch my heart and know this is not a game. And there are more.

This to me does not mean one cannot fall away and then not return to the Lord as there have been instances like this. His mercy, forgiveness, and longsuffering is endless. He will have mercy and forgiveness to whom He want's Exodus 33:19. As He knows who it will help to prosper and those it will not help and be a waste for Him. As some who were once saved now curse God and the Lord etc. It is all up to God, as he reads hearts, and knows who shall endure till the end and who shall be saved. As He knows the end before the beginning.

As this, detail, also just came to me today as I was outside. Now I see why. Some may say "why would God give His Holy Spirit to someone when knows they will not make it". What came to me was that this is a way to justify us, His chosen people, His children, to show that He did not just give His Holy Spirit to His children. But to all types of people. Of coarse God does not need to do anything to answer questions of men. He is Almighty and does what He pleases. This will make those who fell away inexcusable even on their own terms. As He is fair and just.

I hope that helps and this is from me what I have come to learn. Letting the Holy Ghost guide and teach me.

All thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven.

God Bless.

First I will post about someone saying "God doesn't have hands". We all Know God is Spirit. For someone to say He doesn't have hands is absurd. God can have, and be, anything He wants. Here is some Scriptures to consider for the one who stated this:

In Genesis 3:8 the Lord was "walking" in the garden of Eden. In Exodus 33:20 He said no man shall see my "face" and live. Exudus 33:23 speaks of His "hand" and "back parts". The vision of Daniel 7:9 seeing the Ancient of Days(God) "sitting" on His throne wearing a "garment" and having "hair". Many other details in Revelation of one who "sat" upon the throne.

Did God not make us in His image?

Just because we in this physical body cannot see the spirit realm, unless God chooses to send someone a revelation or vision etc, does not mean it is not there.

God Bless.

Dear Tom,

One other aspect I have been led to reply to is about how you stated "once anointed one cannot sin". As I can only perceive what you mean is to have received the Holy Ghost after giving our life to the Lord? Unless this is from a higher level in which God knows exactly who are His from before we took our first breath in this earth. How He knows the end before the beginning which is truth.

Now I know some believe in "once saved always saved". Which is nice to think but there is Scripture to contradict with this thought. Like Hebrews 10:26-31, ( 2 Peter 10:20-22. Jesus stating in Matthew 7:21-23. Also in Matthew 24:10-12 that there shall be a falling away and it is "he that shall endure until the end, the same shall be saved".

As we are all just vessels it is Gods choice alone who is to be saved. As in Romans 9:19-24, ( 2 Timothy 2:19-21. Even when God spake to Moses in Exodus 33:19. It is all His will which is Holy and pure.

Though as stated in the couple verses I have posted it seems that people can lose their salvation. As I would believe there are people who have fallen away and maybe hate God and Jesus Christ now. Also knowing of a couple that have fallen away but come back to the Lord. Which I believe shall be forgiven. As it is His will and all things are possible with God.

The Torah is Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, the first five books of The Bible written by Moses by inspiration of The Holy Spirit.

Have you NOT read the Torah? I probably have read Leviticus the least. I'm currently in a Bible study on Genesis. But I've read through these books many times over the years.

Many significant things to me: a very few of them are...

Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6

Moses intercedes for his people Exodus 33:12-23 "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."

Sevenfold curses for Israel's rebellion Leviticus 26

Moses strikes the rock twice. Oops! Numbers 20:10-13

How can we know if a prophet speaks from God Deuteronomy 18:15-22

You're correct, that "no man can see God's Face & live". And so here in Exodus 24, I don't believe the people saw God's Face, only that which God chose to reveal to them. You can have a look at Ezekiel 1;26-28 to read of Ezekiel's vision of God, that he too was limited to what he saw 'of God' but certainly, what was shown to him was so glorious & powerful, that he could only "fall upon his face" (in awe & in dread of being instantly consumed) - such was his sight. And so too, was Moses spared, when God, in Mercy, covered Moses' face as God's Glory passed by him.

Gods word says no man has ever seen God for God is spirit that being stated biblically there are places in Gods word where there are manifestations of His Glory and power, children of Israel pillar smoke by day fire by night, moses seeing bush not burning the greatest example of course being Jesus Christ being example of almighty Gods love and grace and power on display. This is what I gather.

If no man can see God's face and live, then please explain Ex 24:9-11 to me that says Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders saw the God of Israel. Was this a special circumstance as it says He did not lay His hand on them? Yet Moses was instructed to go to the cleft of the rock and just see God's back.

Exodus 24:9-11 did say that the 74 people did see God, but what did God reveal to them about Himself? "There was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness." That's all they saw - what God chose to reveal to them.

Even Moses when He asked God to show him "His Glory", God obliged saying, "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. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And 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: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen." ( Exodus 33:19-23).

So you will need to discern how God manifested Himself to some people & what they saw & understood from that sight. Was the sight sufficient to satisfy their anticipation & hope? I doubt they were disappointed, rather, overwhelmed & left in awe & fearful at this revelation.

No, they did not see God, nor can any man see Him & continue to remain alive - such is the Majesty & Holiness of the Almighty ( Exodus 33:20), that sinners such as us would instantly dissolve at such a revelation . Even Moses, who begged to see God (to see His Glory) was not permitted, but God made a concession to him by walking by Moses, covering his eyes & only allowing His "back parts" to be seen ( Exodus 33:12-23).

So in Exodus 24:10, the four plus 70 of the elders of Israel, were only permitted to see God in a very limited way (we're not told this time what was seen except for the sapphire stone beneath Him & the appearance of the heavenlies around Him. They saw no body or shape, but what God chose to reveal to them. Even the Apostle Paul in his transportation into Heaven, heard such wonderful words that could not be spoken about to anyone ( 2 Corinthians 12:1-4) - and I sometimes wonder what Paul also saw there. Whatever he heard & saw, he revealed to us with the heavenly wisdom displayed in his letters to the Churches.

Hello Groman,

That is a very good question. As we also have Exodus 33:20 stating no one can see the face of God and live. As I have heard a couple of Testimonies, from people, that stated to have experiences with God the Father and could not see His face.

Back to your question. The Greek word "horao", translated "to see", has a word origin stating this. "Properly to stare at, that is (by implication), to discern clearly (physically or mentally). The uses, of the same word, in the KJV Bible are: behold, perceive, see, take heed. As see and perceive, also behold, are usually for physically seeing something. To "take heed" may have a translation of: to keep to, obey, regard or mind something. And others. So really using the word "see", as in John 1:18, as you've pointed out, doesn't look like the word they should have used. Like you stated with having people observing, seeing, God in Exodus 24:10-11. As maybe a better word, in John 1:18, would have been something along the line of obeyed or regarded. As nobody has ever lived a sinless life except Jesus Christ. Heeding all glory to the Father.

As I am in no way a professional scribe or pastor. This was just what I came up with to give you some sort of an answer to your question. Someone else may have a better more in depth explanation. God Bless.

You are correct, death is the devil's way. The Canaanites dedicated themselves to the devil resulting in their own miserable destruction. God gave them more than 400 years to repent ( Genesis 15:16). Then the LORD, to whom the promised land belongs, judged righteously and cleaned them out.

EXODUS 30, 27, killing people instead of allowing them to repent for sin for what they have done. I thought God was supposed to be someone of peace and loving, not death. Death is the Devils way!

Alexander, I'm unsure what aspect(s) of Psalm 99:6-9 you are wanting discussion on, but will write on a couple of verses.

Verse 7: God spoke to the children of Israel while on their journey out of Egypt into the land of Canaan in many ways & specifically the verse mentions "in the cloudy pillar". This 'cloudy pillar' of course was the means that God used to guide Israel on their journey in the daytime (the pillar of fire at night). But when Israel stopped to camp, the pillar remained at the Tabernacle door ( Exodus 33:10). This then is the reference made in the Psalm that "God spake to them in the cloudy pillar" as God communicated His Word to Moses & Aaron via the cloudy pillar that stood there.

Verse 8: The word, "Them" refers is to the children of Israel, not to Moses & Aaron (though Aaron & Miriam were also guilty, with Miriam turning leprous). The Psalmist says that God was a God who forgave them (their sins), but also a God Who took vengeance on their inventions. The Hebrew word for 'inventions' speaks of the 'deeds' of Israel during their march, particularly their evil deeds & shameful actions. We know how they wanted a molten calf to represent God ( Ex 32:4), their complaints about food & water, no meat when God gave them manna, against Moses, etc. And God was displeased with them for their complaining & obstinacy (read Psalm 78 to get a fuller picture of these events).

Richard, as long as we are on the side of life; there is still time to be reconciled, by the enduring Love of God.

2 Corinthians 5: 16-21

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is: in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Stop here and read Exodus 33:11-23. And Luke 15:11-32. Hebrews 6:18 and 12:1-2

Lastly, 1 John 1:9

Satan has demons that keep an eye on us: what we do, say, read. They're invisible "spies". Ephesians 6. Satan uses the info collected, to ACCUSE you at the throne of God. You feel those accusations. However the Holy Spirit is still with you, convicting you about your sins. He desires to reconcile these things and stop the torment in your mind.

1 John 2:1 names Jesus as your ADVOCATE: your attorney. And He's sitting right beside His Father in heaven, NOW. Your name is still written in the Book of Life.

It's time now for you to pray. Confess your heart. Receive the cleansing power that is in the shed blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:2. Jesus already paid for it. It will be well with your soul, afterwards.

We all need to run to, 1 John 1:2 as soon as sin happens. We are soul and spirit encased in flesh. All that Bible reading makes the spirit man get bigger than the sinful flesh and the gullible soul. Hebrews 12:2, said, to RUN THE RACE. Win!

I love you brother and never feel that you are alone in this. You're blessed.

Get to know God the Holy Spirit, who is The Spirit of Christ. Book of John, ch 16

M.

God is Spirit. There are MANY scriptures on God being seen. If you read it slowly, you will see the description is in imagery.

Go get some pen & paper and write down these scriptures; then you can read them and picture God in your heart when you pray.

John 1:18, John 6:46, John 5:37

1 John 4:12, 1 John 3:6, 1 John 4:20

1 Timothy 1:17, 1 Timothy 6:16

Luke 1:31-32, Matthew 22, Romans 1:20

Philippians 2, Hebrews 1:1-13,

Colossians 1:15

Deuteronomy 4:12, 15. Exodus 3:6

Exodus 33:20-23

Isaiah 38:11, Isaiah 64:4

Job 9:11, Job 35:14, Job 23:8

This is a ps from me: if you have "pictures of God" (some artist imagined) in your home? You need to get rid of them,

According to Exodus 20. That's not a photograph of God and is considered to be a graven image. Crosses on the wall is ok, but not images.

I have 1 still life painting of a bowl of fruit and a pitcher of water. It makes me think of eating a meal with Jesus.

Mishael

Genesis 1: 28 Our Lords vision and plan for his children is to Multiply and Increase

1. Enlarge your Tent : Tent represents Prayer, our prayer time should be extended- Exodus 33:9

2. Stretch our your curtains : Curtain represent the Holiness - Exodus 26:33

3. Do not hold back : Represent not to be a hindrance to god's work - Luke 9:49-50

4. Lengthen you cords : Represents Love of God Hosea 11:4

5. Strengthen your Stakes : Represents the Word of God Matthew 7:24-25

Ephesians 5:10 and find our what pleases the God.

This what Lord wanted from us and it pleased to him

Amen.

You did not see God.

That was Satan...

Exodus 33:20

Hi Sadie,

I'm proud of you for sharing your struggle. I am reminded of a verse that really impressed me recently. Exodus 33:14 "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Isn't that such a comforting promise? I pray you can experience that! God bless.

Please pray that the LORD GOD remove all stumblingblocks placed multiple times daily into my path by Satan's children to stop me from doing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and from erasing and making vain whatsoever they've ALLOWED me to get done. I NEED GOD's Voice, HIS real-time communication with me in my life, as our father, David the king (we are Christ's lineage, and Jesus came through David's line ( Matthew 1:1-17; Genesis 22:15-18, and Genesis 1:1-18 for full context)) had with the ephod ( I Samuel 23:9-12; I Samuel 30:7-8), as our brother, Moses OFT did ( Exodus 33:11-17 and Exodus 33:11-23 for proper context), and as our father, Abraham did ( Genesis 18). These men obeyed God's law, so pray

Hi, good question. If you read in Exodus 33:20 Moses asks to see God, but he explains that he can't see his face and live. So, instead Moses would see his glory or goodness pass by. God has revealed some part of his glory to select people. Genesis 32:24-32 Jacob wrestled with God, but didn't initially know it. God took the form of a man and probably didn't reveal all of himself.

Mary Brown: I believe the scripture you are referencing is found in Exodus 33:17 - 23

This I like Joshua 1:9. He will be our strength.

There is much Power in Love!! When you choose to say yes to Love-- you are saying yes to everything God is, because God is Love! The more you choose to walk in Love, the deeper and stronger your roots will grow. Remember-- Love is the Greatest Feeling He can build in you. He brings Security in you and empowers you to Live the Life of Blessings He has in store for you!! AMEN...PRAISE GOD ALWAYS!