The request is 'show me,' as if some visible manifestation were desired
and expected, or, if not a visible, at least a direct perception of
Jehovah's glory.' Moses desires that he, as mediator and lawgiver, may
have some closer knowledge. The answer to his request is a word, the
articulate proclamation of the 'Name' of the Lord. It is higher than
all manifestation to sense, which was what Moses had asked. Here there
is no symbol as of the Lord in the 'cloud.' The divine manifestation is
impossible to sense, and that, too, not by reason of man's limitations,
but by reason of God's nature. The manifestation to spirit in full
immediate perception is impossible also. It has to be maintained that
we know God only 'in part'; but it does not follow that our knowledge
is only representative, or is not of Him 'as He is.' Though not whole
it is real, so far as it goes.
But this is not the highest form. Words and propositions can never
reveal so fully, nor with such certitude, as a personal revelation. But
we have Christ's life, 'God manifest': not words about God, but the
manifestation of the very divine nature itself in action.
'Merciful':--and we see Jesus going about 'doing good.' 'Gracious,' and
we see Him welcoming to Himself all the weary, and ever bestowing of
the treasures of His love. 'Longsuffering':--'Father! forgive them!'
God is 'plenteous in mercy and in truth,' forgiving transgression and
sin:--'Thy sins be forgiven thee.'
How different it all is when we have deeds, a human life, on which to
base our belief! How much more certain, as well as coming closer to our
hearts! Merely verbal statements need proof, they need warming. In
Christ's showing us the Father they are changed as from a painting to a
living being; they are brought out of the region of abstractions into
the concrete.
'And so the word had breath, and wrought
With human hands the creed of creeds.'
'Show us the Father and it sufficeth us.' 'He that hath seen Me, hath
seen the Father.'
Is there any other form of manifestation possible? Yes; in heaven there
will be a closer vision of Christ--not of God. Our knowledge of Christ
will there be expanded, deepened, made more direct. We know not how.
There will be bodily changes: 'Like unto the body of His glory.' etc.
'We shall be like Him.' 'Changed from glory to glory.'