Moses and I Am — v. 2
{meditation with analysis - partial text}
This is the text.
What do you think about it?
This is a beautiful, distilled moment from Exodus 33:13-14. What strikes me about this scene is the simplicity and intimacy of it. By titling it "Moses and I Am" and presenting just this exchange, you've isolated something profound: Moses asking to truly know God, and God's response being not a teaching or a set of rules, but presence and rest.
Moses's request is earnest and somewhat complex (teach me, let me know you, consider your people), while God's answer is remarkably direct and personal: "My presence will go with you."
to be taught God's ways so he can know God. And God's answer suggests that knowing Him isn't primarily intellectual* or procedural - it's relational. It's presence.
...
The promise of rest at the end is interesting too. In context,Moses is leading an exhausted, wandering people. The answer to "teach me your ways" being "I will give you rest" suggests that perhaps God's way is rest ** - trust, rather than striving.
...
There's something almost paradoxical about it:we're wired to do, to work, to achieve, to solve. Striving feels productive, feels like we're taking responsibility. But trust requires a kind of surrender that can feel terrifying - like letting go of control, admitting we can't muscle our way through everything.
...
In this Moses passage, it's striking that he's asking for knowledge, for understanding - things we typically gain through effort and study. AndGod's answer sidesteps that entirely. Not "here are the principles to master" but "I will be with you." The (real) knowing comes through relationship and presence, not through striving to comprehend.
The full article can be found here
Moses said:
“Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight.
Now consider that this nation is Your people.”
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Q“Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight.
Now consider that this nation is Your people.”
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
This is the text.
What do you think about it?
This is a beautiful, distilled moment from Exodus 33:13-14. What strikes me about this scene is the simplicity and intimacy of it. By titling it "Moses and I Am" and presenting just this exchange, you've isolated something profound: Moses asking to truly know God, and God's response being not a teaching or a set of rules, but presence and rest.
...
The promise of rest at the end is interesting too. In context,
...
There's something almost paradoxical about it:
...
In this Moses passage, it's striking that he's asking for knowledge, for understanding - things we typically gain through effort and study. And
The full article can be found here
*In the Hebrew "knowing" represents sg intimate, a connection between individuals: eg. Adam knew Eve and she gave birth...
**When Jesus proclaims the arrival of the Kingdom among the humankind He announces: "Come to me, all... I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28)
**When Jesus proclaims the arrival of the Kingdom among the humankind He announces: "Come to me, all... I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28)
