Much of Exodus 33 highlights the fact that Moses had a close relationship with God: how they spoke face to face like close friends (vs 11) and how Moses longed not only to see God's marvellous deeds, but also to know and understand His ways (vs 13). In fact, some generations later, David wrote in a psalm that the people of Israel knew God's mighty acts, but Moses knew God's ways. (Psalm 103 vs 7)
With such a strong foundation of friendship, it's not surprising that, at this challenging time on their exodus journey, Moses dared to ask if he could see God's glory. (Exodus 33: 18) I wonder what he expected when he made that request. What would you imagine it's like to see the glory of God? The Bible is full of verses about God's glory and old paintings typically depict it as something bright and shining.
God agrees to reveal His glory to Moses, and what He goes on to do in vs 19 is to reveal something of His character: His goodness, His mercy and compassion... Knowing the nature and character of God is what matters more than anything else. Constantly growing in our knowledge of who God is, no matter what circumstances we happen to be in, is what it truly means to experience His glory.
