THE PROBLEM IN KNOWING GOD

Read Exodus 33:19-23.

What Moses wanted could not be done.  He could know God’s attributes,  “Then He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’” (v.19). He could see the afterglow of His glory,  “And the LORD said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.’”(v.21-23). But, to see the face of God in full glory would dissolve Moses like a snowflake in a blast furnace,  “But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’” (v.20).

Why?  Here is the problem in knowing God: Moses was a man and God is not.  God is holy and Moses was a sinner.  It is still true for us in this mortal frame.  This is quite a dilemma.

How would this problem be solved?  God provided a refuge and covering.  That is what Jesus has done for us.

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified....Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭10:12-14, 19-23‬)

The Old Testament priests could not enter behind the curtain into the Holy of holies where the glory of God dwelt. Only one man—the high priest—only one day a year—the Day of Atonement—could enter after first offering sacrifice for his sins. He did so with fear and trembling!  All that changed when Jesus died to atone for our sins once and for all. The veil in the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom (Matt.27:51).  Now, we have bold access to God, and are being changed into His likeness, (2 Cor.3:18), someday to see Him face to face and be transformed fully into His image, (1 John 3:2)!