Moses’ Bold Prayer to See God’s Glory: A Cry for Deeper Intimacy

Some prayers rise beyond asking for help or provision—they come from a place of deep spiritual hunger. In Exodus 33:18, Moses makes one of the boldest requests ever recorded in Scripture. After leading Israel through miracles, rebellion, and divine encounters, he pleads for something more:

"I beseech thee, shew me thy glory."
—Exodus 33:18 (KJV)

This is not a prayer for power or success—it is a desperate cry to see more of God Himself. Moses had spoken with God as a friend, experienced His miracles, and heard His voice, but he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to know God more deeply. Let’s unpack the beauty and depth of this powerful prayer.

1. A Prayer for Intimacy, Not Just Intervention

Moses didn’t ask for more miracles, blessings, or reassurance—he asked to see God’s glory. This reveals that the heart of true spiritual maturity is not what God can do for us, but who He is to us.

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."
—Psalm 42:1 (KJV)

This is the kind of prayer God longs to answer: when His people desire His presence more than His power, His face more than His hand.

2. Moses Had Already Encountered God—Yet He Wanted More

Earlier in the chapter, Scripture says:

"The LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend..."
—Exodus 33:11 (KJV)

Yet even that was not enough for Moses. He longed to go deeper. This teaches us that no matter how close we are to God, there is always more of Him to discover.

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection..."
—Philippians 3:10 (KJV)

True intimacy with God is never stagnant—it’s a constant pursuit of deeper revelation.

3. Boldness in the Presence of God

Moses uses the phrase, "I beseech thee", which means earnest pleading. This was a bold prayer, but it came from a heart aligned with God’s desires.

Hebrews encourages us to pray the same way:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace..."
—Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

God doesn’t want lukewarm prayers—He responds to bold, passionate, faith-filled pleas that hunger for His presence.

4. God’s Response: Grace and Protection

Though Moses couldn’t see God’s full glory and live, God granted his request in a powerful way:

"I will make all my goodness pass before thee..."
—Exodus 33:19 (KJV)

This reveals that God’s glory is deeply tied to His goodness, mercy, and character. Moses didn’t just get a visual display—he got a revelation of who God is.

God also hid Moses in the cleft of the rock, showing that intimacy with God comes with holy reverence and divine protection.

5. The Ultimate Fulfillment of This Prayer: Jesus Christ

In the New Testament, the glory of God that Moses longed to see is revealed in Christ:

"And the Word was made flesh... and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father..."
—John 1:14 (KJV)

Through Jesus, we now have access to a fuller revelation of God's glory, not just as a display of power, but as grace and truth.

Conclusion: Lessons from Moses’ Bold Prayer

Moses’ request in Exodus 33:18 teaches us how to pray with depth and spiritual hunger:

  1. Desire God for who He is, not just what He can do.

  2. Keep seeking, no matter how much you’ve already experienced.

  3. Pray with boldness—God honors desperate hearts.

  4. Understand that God’s glory is rooted in His goodness and mercy.

  5. Look to Jesus for the ultimate revelation of God’s glory.

Let us, like Moses, pray not just for answers—but for a deeper revelation of God Himself.

Closing Prayer

Abba Father, in the name of Jesus, we echo the prayer of Moses: Show us Your glory. Not for our benefit or recognition, but because we long to know You more.

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
—James 4:8 (KJV)

Lord, we hunger for more of Your presence. Let Your goodness pass before us. Reveal Your mercy, Your truth, and Your holiness in our lives. May we live every day longing to know You deeper.

In the almighty name of Jesus, Amen.

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