Epiphany · The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Exodus 33:12-23
Moses and the Glory of the Lord
January 18, 2026
Overview & Insights
“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)
Crisis: Will Yahweh Go with Them? Following Moses’ discovery of the golden calf, Moses and the Lord engaged in conversation as God decided what to do (v. 5). The primary question was whether the Lord would continue to go with them personally (vv. 3, 5, 12, 14–16; see also 34:9). Exodus 32 had ended with the Lord’s immediate negative reaction to their betrayal (32:33–34). God initially decides not to go with them, but two realities, described in the first half of Exodus 33, turn the conversation: the people’s demonstration of repentance; and Moses’ close relationship with the Lord. In the second half of Exodus 33, Moses intercedes further and the Lord decides to go with them and promises to reveal God’s glory and goodness. The following outline reveals the developments in these relationships and conversations:
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Commentary
Commentary on Exodus 33:12-23 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis on Moses interceding for God's presence and asking to see the divine glory.
Exodus 33:12-23 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on God speaking with Moses face to face and the limits of seeing God's glory.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Exodus Chapter 33 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through Moses' plea for God's presence and the passing-by of God's goodness.
Exodus 33:12 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on Moses' bold prayer, Show me now your ways, that I may know you.
Exodus 33 Commentary (Precept Austin) Precept Austin
A resource hub collecting many commentaries, sermons, and word studies on Moses and the glory of God.
Background & Word Study
Exodus - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary overview of Exodus for placing the tent-of-meeting dialogue after the golden calf.
Exodus 33 | Sefaria Sefaria
Hebrew text with translation and Jewish commentary for Moses' request to see God's glory.
Exodus 33:12 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word-by-word interlinear with parsing for Moses' prayer that God's presence go with the people.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Does Moses see God?
Moses asks to see God’s glory; the Lord answers that no one may see his face and live, but shelters Moses in a cleft of the rock and passes by, letting him see his back (Exodus 33:12–23). It is a study in nearness and holy hiddenness.
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