Pentecost Season · Proper 24 · Year A
Exodus 33:12-23
Moses and the Glory of the Lord
October 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:
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on Exodus 33:12-23 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this Year A reading by a named seminary scholar.
Exodus 33 - Moses and the Presence of God Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of Moses' prayers and the promise of God's presence.
Exodus 33:12 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on Moses' plea and God's glory.
Exodus 33:12 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Exodus 33 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page collecting word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Exodus 33 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
The Hebrew of the narrative alongside English with linked Jewish commentary for the OT reading.
Exodus 33:12 Interlinear BibleHub
The Hebrew of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Exodus 19-40 Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of the second half of Exodus that frames God dwelling with his 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.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Matthew 22:15-22
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.