Exodus 33:2-5, 10-23, 34:1-9
2 I will send an Angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. 3 But I will not go with you to this land flowing with milk and honey, for you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” 4 When the people heard these distressing words they were very sad and none of them put on any ornaments. 5 Yahweh then said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you, even for a moment, I would destroy you! Now, take off your ornaments that I may know what I shall do to you.” 10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud at the entrance to the tent, they would arise and worship, each one at the entrance to his own tent. 11Then Yahweh would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his neighbor, and then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua, son of Nun, would not leave the tent. 12 Then Moses said to Yahweh, “You say to me: ‘Lead this people up,’ but you haven’t told me who you will send with me and yet you have said that you know me by name and that I have found favor in your sight. 13 And now if I have found favor in your sight, let me know your ways, that I may know you and so find favor in your sight. Look, this people is your own people.” 14 Yahweh said, “My Face will go with you and I will give you rest.” 15 And Moses said, “If your Face does not come with us, do not take us from here. 16 And how will anyone here know that you look kindly on me and my people? Will it not be because you go with us? In that way, I myself and your people will be distinguished from every other nation on the face of the earth.” 17 Yahweh then said to Moses, “What you have said I will do, for I look kindly on you and I have known you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Then let me see your Glory.” 19 And He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and proclaim the name of Yahweh before you. For I am gracious to whom I want to be gracious and I am merciful to whom I want to be merciful.” 20 Then Yahweh said, “You cannot see my face because man cannot see me and live.” 21 And he added, “See this place near me; you shall stand on the rock 22 and when my Glory passes I will put you in a hollow of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”
Exodus 34:2
165 Lovers of your Law have found great peace; nothing can make them stumble, not even distress.
My God, in all these verses, we see the relationship that Moses enjoyed with You. It was an intimate friendship. You spoke to Him face to face as to a friend. Moses knew how to move Your heart and You in turn allowed Moses to persuade You to turn away from the decision you had made not to accompany the people of Israel but to send an angel to accompany them instead. Moses stood his ground until You relented. Moses also asked if he could see You, God almighty and You tenderly did so permitting Your glory to pass over Him in such a way that the ecstasy would not kill him. Moses spent time with You on Mount Sinai as You desired to bless him.
Blessed as Moses was, I am more blessed because I enjoy a union with You in the Eucharist that Moses never experienced on earth. You and I become one - God in me and I in God.
Psalm 119:165
165 Lovers of your Law have found great peace; nothing can make them stumble, not even distress.
My this be rightly said of me Beloved.
Mark 12:37
Many people came to Jesus and listened to Him gladly.
May I always be counted among those who come to You, listen to You and obey You gladly my Lord.
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