Meaning of Exodus 33:19

This verse from Exodus 33:19 is Moses' profound request to see God's glory, and God's response, which reveals a crucial aspect of divine sovereignty and the nature of God's character. God declares that He will reveal His goodness and proclaim His name, but not His full face, as no human could see Him and live. Instead, He will pass by, allowing Moses to witness the aftermath of His presence, a palpable display of His attributes. Crucially, God emphasizes His unhindered prerogative to bestow mercy and compassion. This is not a capricious or arbitrary choice, but rather an expression of His inherent nature and His freedom to act according to His perfect will and purposes, demonstrating that salvation and favor are entirely His gift, not earned by human merit.

Context and Background

This encounter occurs after the devastating sin of the golden calf, where the Israelites' idolatry deeply grieved God and threatened the covenant relationship. Moses, acting as an intercessor, pleads for God's continued presence with His people, fearing that without it, they would be left vulnerable and exposed. God's initial response was to say He would send an angel, but Moses presses further, desiring a direct manifestation of God's glory and presence. Exodus 33:12-18 sets the stage for this pivotal moment, with Moses asking, "Show me your glory." God's reply in verse 19 is a direct answer to this request, albeit with a divine limitation for human safety.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty: The most prominent theme is God's absolute sovereignty in dispensing mercy and compassion. He reserves the right to choose whom He will favor, emphasizing that His actions are not dictated by human deservingness.
• God's Goodness and Glory: God promises to reveal His goodness and proclaim His name. This suggests a revelation of His character, His attributes, and His inherent benevolent nature. While Moses won't see God's face, he will experience the evidence of His passing, which is a manifestation of His glory.
• The Nature of Revelation: God's revelation is mediated and partial. He protects Moses from annihilation by not allowing him to see His face directly, but still offers a profound glimpse into His being.
• The Gift of Mercy: Mercy and compassion are presented as divine gifts, not commodities to be earned. This underscores the grace that is central to God's interaction with humanity.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage speaks powerfully to the concept of grace. It asserts that our relationship with God, our salvation, and His ongoing favor are not based on our performance or inherent worth, but on His free and sovereign decision to extend mercy. This should lead to profound humility and gratitude, recognizing that every blessing is a gift. It also encourages trust in God's perfect wisdom and timing, even when His choices regarding others might seem inexplicable to us. We are called to trust that God's pronouncements of mercy are always just and aligned with His ultimate good plan.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This declaration of sovereign mercy finds echoes throughout Scripture. It foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on God's initiative in salvation through Jesus Christ, where salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). The concept of election, where God chooses specific individuals or nations for His purposes, is also implicitly present. Furthermore, it lays a theological foundation for understanding God's dealings with Israel, His choosing of Abraham, and His covenant faithfulness, even in the face of their repeated disobedience.

Analogies

• A King Bestowing Royal Favor: Imagine a benevolent king who has the absolute power to pardon any prisoner or bestow riches upon any subject. He chooses to do so not based on the prisoners' past deeds or subjects' pleas alone, but according to his own royal prerogative and wisdom.
• A Master Artist's Palette: A master artist has a vast array of colors and techniques at their disposal. They choose which colors to mix and which strokes to apply to create their masterpiece, not out of obligation, but out of their creative vision and skill. Similarly, God uses His attributes of mercy and compassion as He crafts His divine plan.
• A Gardener Tending a Vineyard: A gardener decides which plants to nurture, which to prune, and which to allow to flourish. This selection is based on the gardener's knowledge of the plants, the soil, and the desired outcome, not solely on the individual plant's inherent "goodness."

Relation to Other Verses

• Romans 9:15-16: Paul quotes this verse directly, stating, "For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desiring or on man’s running, but on God who has mercy." This demonstrates the theological significance Paul attached to this passage in explaining God's sovereign plan of salvation.
• John 3:16: While emphasizing God's love for the world, it still points to God's unilateral act of sending His Son, a demonstration of His initiative and grace, aligning with the idea that salvation originates with God's decision to act.
• Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This New Testament passage directly reflects the principle that salvation is a gift, not earned, as declared in Exodus 33:19.
• Psalm 103:8: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love." This verse, and many others like it, describe God's character, of which mercy and compassion are integral, reinforcing that His choices in bestowing them are consistent with His nature.