Help From God, a Necessity

Moses had learned that in order to lead the people successfully, he must have help from God. He pleaded for an assurance of God’s presence: “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”BOE 159.2

The answer was, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” But Moses was not yet satisfied. He prayed that the favor of God might be restored to His people and that the visible evidence of His presence might continue to direct their journey: “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except that You go with us?”BOE 159.3

And the Lord said, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” The prophet still did not stop pleading. He now made a request that no human being had ever made before: “Please, show me Your glory.”BOE 159.4