Exodus 33:19-23

19-23. Even this great request is in part granted, for these verses contain the promise that, so far as mortal man may be permitted to see the divine glory, Moses shall witness a most sublime theophany . As Jehovah willed to blot the sinful Israelite out of his book, (Exodus 32:33,) and for manifest reason, so he will show mercy on whom he will show mercy, namely, on Moses as an example, who by persistent prayer obtains the gracious favour of his Lord . See Whedon’s note on Romans 9:15. But here appears the statement that no man can behold Jehovah’s face and live . This profound truth underlies the entire divine revelation, and shows the necessity of the incarnation of the Word of God . “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him . ” In harmony with this great truth, Moses is promised a vision of the glory of Israel’s God . He will place him in a cleft of the rock when he again goes up into the mountain, and will pass by so as to exhibit, as it were, his back, but not his face . So shall he behold and hear what will infix forever in his soul the holiest conception of the name and nature of Jehovah. For the fulfilment of this promise, see Exodus 34:5-8.