Exodus 33:18 And he said, I beseech you, show me your glory. I. AND WHAT DID MOSES ASK FOR? What was the desire of his heart? His prayer was, "I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory." But, it may be said, had not Moses, on various occasions, seen the glory of God? The more of these heavenly treasures we possess, the more highly do we prize them, and the more eagerly do we seek for an increase. These are things that never deceive, never disappoint, never cloy. Our experience of them convinces us that they are solid, substantial, satisfactory. The capacity of the soul is expanded, and we are prepared for larger communications of purity and love. And they who have made the highest attainments in the Christian life, and have experienced most largely the efficacy of the Redeemer's all purifying blood, will be found to be most anxious to rise still higher in spiritual blessings. II. GOD'S REPLY TO THE REQUEST PREFERRED BY MOSES. III. BUT WE HAVE TO OBSERVE, THAT THE DISPLAYS OF THE DIVINE GOODNESS ARE MADE ONLY ACCORDING TO GOD'S OWN WILL. And. what is the character of these to whom the mercy of Jehovah will be extended? The penitent, the humble, the meek, the lowly. IV. WE OBSERVE, THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN DISPLAYS OF THE DIVINE GLORY, WHICH ARE GRANTED TO GOD'S BELIEVING PEOPLE HERE BELOW, ON EARTH. A partial, indistinct, and necessarily defective view — a glimpse at the heavenly glory — a transient exhibition of the Divine excellence. And even before this was granted to Moses, a certain process was necessary: he must be duly prepared. V. STILL IT MUST BE GRANTED, THAT THE MOST EMINENT AND MOST DELIGHTFUL DISPLAYS OF THE DIVINE GLORY ARE RESERVED FOR THE HEAVENLY WORLD. The eye of the disembodied spirit will be strengthened and fitted to gaze, with a steady and direct view, on the uncreated Sun. (W. P. Burgess, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. |
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