Sermons on Exodus 33:19

Exodus 33:19 Interpretation:

Understanding God's Sovereignty in Mercy and Election (MLJTrust) offers a detailed and unique interpretation of Exodus 33:19 by distinguishing between the terms "mercy" and "compassion," explaining that compassion is the feeling aroused by suffering, while mercy is the practical action to relieve that suffering. The sermon emphasizes that the passage is not about justice or righteousness but about God's sovereign freedom to dispense mercy as He wills, independent of human merit or action. The preacher also draws a sharp contrast between God's necessary attributes (e.g., justice, wisdom) and His voluntary attribute of mercy, arguing that God is not "mechanically" merciful to all, as the sun shines on all, but chooses the recipients of His mercy. This analogy, drawn from Puritan Charnock, is used to highlight the voluntary and sovereign nature of divine mercy, setting it apart from other attributes that are always universally expressed.

God's Sovereign Grace: Assurance and Hope for All (Desiring God) provides a notable linguistic and theological insight by comparing the structure of Exodus 3:14 ("I am who I am") and Exodus 33:19 ("I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious"), arguing that just as God's existence is self-determined and uninfluenced by anything external, so too is His gracious action. The sermon asserts that God's sovereign freedom in showing mercy is essential to His name and glory, and that any external constraint on His will would negate His divinity. This interpretation is further deepened by the assertion that the manifestation of God's name is the revelation of His glory, so when God proclaims His name to Moses, He is revealing His very essence.

Embracing God's Omnipotence in Salvation and Grace (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Exodus 33:19 as God's self-disclosure of His sovereign right to show mercy and compassion as He wills, especially in the context of election and reprobation. The preacher highlights the context of Moses' intercession after the golden calf incident, noting that God's declaration is both a comfort and a boundary: God is not obligated to show mercy to all, and His choices are not subject to human questioning. The sermon also draws out the implication that God's mercy is not distributed on the basis of human will or effort, but solely on His sovereign decision, and that this is the foundation for understanding both election and reprobation.

Reflecting God's Greatness: The Power of Prayer (Leonia United Methodist Church) references Exodus 33:19 in the context of Moses' request to see God's glory, interpreting the passage as a promise of God's presence and goodness. The sermon uses the analogy of the "spotlight" to describe God's glory, suggesting that God's presence and favor are like a spotlight that shines on individuals, not to draw attention to themselves but to reflect God's greatness. This metaphor is used to encourage believers to seek God's glory and presence in their lives, and to understand that being in the "spiritual spotlight" means drawing attention to Christ rather than oneself.

God's Righteousness and Freedom in Divine Election (Desiring God) offers a unique linguistic and theological insight by connecting the phrase "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" in Exodus 33:19 to the very name of God, Yahweh, and the declaration "I am who I am" from Exodus 3. The sermon argues that the structure and meaning of "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" parallels "I am who I am," both expressing God's absolute self-determination and freedom. The preacher highlights that the Hebrew structure of these phrases emphasizes God's independence from any external cause or influence, making his freedom to show mercy or compassion a core aspect of his divine identity and glory. This is further illustrated by the close connection between Moses' request to see God's glory and God's response to proclaim his name, suggesting that God's glory is fundamentally tied to his sovereign freedom.

God's Sovereignty in Election: Trusting His Divine Will (Desiring God) interprets Exodus 33:19 as a declaration of God's absolute freedom in dispensing mercy and compassion, emphasizing that these divine actions are not determined by human will, effort, or merit. The sermon uses the analogy of "running" and "willing" to illustrate human exertion and desire, but insists that God's mercy is not a response to these human actions. Instead, the preacher asserts that God's name and glory are defined by this freedom, and that his righteousness consists in acting according to what is infinitely valuable—namely, his own name and glory. The sermon also draws a practical application by examining Paul's view of Titus' earnestness in 2 Corinthians 8, showing that genuine human volition is real, but ultimately rooted in God's sovereign action.

God's Sovereignty: Mercy, Hardening, and Righteousness Explored (Desiring God) interprets Exodus 33:19 as establishing the principle of God's freedom not only in showing mercy but also in hardening hearts, as seen in the cases of Moses and Pharaoh. The sermon uniquely balances the positive aspect of mercy with the negative aspect of hardening, arguing that both are expressions of God's sovereign will and are not contingent on human will or effort. The preacher explores the Old Testament context, especially the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, and suggests that God's hardening may involve a "negative agency"—God hiding his face and allowing people to be handed over to their own iniquities, rather than actively pushing them into hardness.

Exodus 33:19 Theological Themes:

Understanding God's Sovereignty in Mercy and Election (MLJTrust) introduces the theme that God's mercy is not a universal attribute like His justice or holiness, but a voluntary and sovereign act. The sermon forcefully rejects universalism by arguing that God's mercy is not dispensed to all, and that to claim otherwise is to misunderstand both the nature of God and the explicit teaching of Scripture. The preacher also addresses the assurance of salvation, arguing that assurance is grounded not in human understanding or effort but in God's sovereign choice.

God's Sovereign Grace: Assurance and Hope for All (Desiring God) presents the theme that God's sovereign freedom is the very foundation of assurance for believers, especially in the face of human sinfulness and "stiff-necked" rebellion. The sermon applies the doctrine of unconditional election as a source of humility, hope for the worst of sinners, and encouragement for missions, emphasizing that God's freedom to show mercy is not hindered by human unworthiness or hardness.

Embracing God's Omnipotence in Salvation and Grace (Ligonier Ministries) adds the facet that God's omnipotence is most clearly displayed in His sovereign election and reprobation, and that true understanding of God's power must include His right to save and to pass over according to His will. The sermon also stresses that God's sovereignty does not negate the necessity of prayer or evangelism, but rather undergirds them as ordained means.

Reflecting God's Greatness: The Power of Prayer (Leonia United Methodist Church) introduces the theme that God's glory is not only to be admired but to be lived in and reflected by believers. The sermon applies the idea of God's presence as transformative, using the metaphor of the veil being lifted (from 2 Corinthians 3) to illustrate how Christ unveils God's glory to the church, enabling believers to be transformed into His image.

God's Righteousness and Freedom in Divine Election (Desiring God) introduces the theme that God's righteousness is inseparable from his allegiance to his own name and glory, and that this allegiance is expressed through his absolute freedom in election. The sermon adds the nuanced idea that God's freedom is not arbitrary but is the very essence of his divine identity, as revealed in his name Yahweh and the phrase "I am who I am." This means that God's acts of mercy are not just displays of power but are deeply rooted in his self-existence and self-determination, making his freedom a moral and theological necessity rather than a capricious choice.

God's Sovereignty: Mercy, Hardening, and Righteousness Explored (Desiring God) presents the distinct theological theme that God's acts of mercy and hardening are not coordinate goals but that hardening serves the greater purpose of magnifying mercy. The preacher argues from Romans 9:22-23 that God's endurance of "vessels of wrath" (like Pharaoh) is ultimately designed to make known the "riches of his glory" for the "vessels of mercy," thus framing even God's acts of hardening as subordinate to his overarching purpose of displaying mercy and glory to the elect.

Exodus 33:19 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Understanding God's Sovereignty in Mercy and Election (MLJTrust) provides detailed historical context for Exodus 33:19, explaining that the statement was made after the incident of the golden calf, when Moses interceded for the people and requested a display of God's glory. The preacher notes that Moses was seeking mercy not just for himself but for the entire nation, and that God's response was to limit His mercy to certain individuals rather than the whole nation, highlighting the particularity of divine grace in the context of Israel's rebellion.

Embracing God's Omnipotence in Salvation and Grace (Ligonier Ministries) also situates Exodus 33:19 in the aftermath of the golden calf, emphasizing the gravity of Israel's sin and the severity of God's judgment (the death of 3,000 and a plague). The sermon underscores that Moses' plea for God's presence and favor was made in the context of a people who had just been severely disciplined, and that God's willingness to continue with them was an act of sovereign mercy, not a response to their merit.

God's Sovereign Grace: Assurance and Hope for All (Desiring God) gives a thorough contextual explanation, recounting the events of Exodus 32–33: the golden calf, God's threat to destroy Israel, Moses' intercession, and God's decision to go with the people. The preacher highlights the tension between God's holiness and Israel's sinfulness, and how Moses' request to see God's glory was a plea for assurance that God's mercy could truly accompany such a rebellious people.

God's Righteousness and Freedom in Divine Election (Desiring God) provides historical and contextual insight by situating Exodus 33:19 within the narrative of Moses' request to see God's glory. The sermon explains that in the ancient Near Eastern context, a deity's "name" represented their essence and reputation, and that God's self-revelation to Moses as Yahweh ("I am who I am") was a radical assertion of divine independence and self-existence, contrasting with the polytheistic gods whose actions were often seen as subject to fate or external forces. The preacher also notes the significance of the all-caps "LORD" in English translations, indicating the use of the divine name Yahweh, and ties this to the Hebrew linguistic structure that emphasizes God's self-determination.

Exodus 33:19 Cross-References in the Bible:

Understanding God's Sovereignty in Mercy and Election (MLJTrust) references Romans 9:14–18, where Paul quotes Exodus 33:19 to support the doctrine of election and God's sovereign right to show mercy. The sermon also references the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16) as a "perfect commentary" on the principle that God is free to dispense grace as He chooses, regardless of human expectations of fairness. Additionally, Job 33:13 is cited to reinforce the idea that God is not accountable to human questioning.

God's Sovereign Grace: Assurance and Hope for All (Desiring God) draws extensively on Romans 9:14–18, Acts 13:48 (as many as were ordained to eternal life believed), John 10:26 (you do not believe because you are not my sheep), Ephesians 1:4–5 (God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world), and 2 Peter 1:10 (confirm your calling and election). Each reference is used to reinforce the doctrine of unconditional election and the sovereign freedom of God in salvation, showing that faith and obedience are the result, not the cause, of God's electing grace.

Embracing God's Omnipotence in Salvation and Grace (Ligonier Ministries) references Romans 9:6–24, using Paul's argument about election, reprobation, and the potter's right over the clay to expand on the meaning of Exodus 33:19. The sermon also references Malachi 1:2–4 to explain the context of "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated," and Job (implicitly) in the discussion of questioning God's ways. Deuteronomy 32 and Zephaniah 3 are cited to affirm God's justice.

Reflecting God's Greatness: The Power of Prayer (Leonia United Methodist Church) references 2 Corinthians 3:15–18 to draw a parallel between Moses' veiled face and the unveiling of glory in Christ, applying the passage to the transformation of believers. Matthew 5:14 ("you are the light of the world") is also cited to support the metaphor of believers reflecting God's glory.

God's Righteousness and Freedom in Divine Election (Desiring God) references several biblical passages to support and expand on Exodus 33:19. The sermon draws a direct line from Exodus 33:19 to Exodus 3, where God reveals his name as "I am who I am," arguing that both passages emphasize God's absolute freedom and self-existence. It also references Romans 1 and 3 to show that unrighteousness is defined as the failure to honor God's glory, and that God's righteousness is his commitment to uphold his own name and glory. Psalm 41 and 143 are cited to illustrate the biblical parallelism between God's righteousness and his preservation of his name. These cross-references collectively reinforce the argument that God's freedom in election is not only consistent with his righteousness but is its very foundation.

God's Sovereignty: Mercy, Hardening, and Righteousness Explored (Desiring God) references Exodus 9:16 and Exodus 4:21, 7:3-4 to discuss the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, showing that God's intention to harden Pharaoh was declared before any of Pharaoh's actions. The sermon also brings in Isaiah 63:17 and 64:7 to suggest that God's hardening may involve withdrawing his presence and allowing people to be consumed by their own iniquities. Romans 9:22-23 is used to argue that God's endurance of vessels of wrath serves the purpose of making known the riches of his glory to vessels of mercy, thus integrating the themes of mercy and hardening within God's overarching redemptive plan.

God's Sovereignty in Election: Trusting His Divine Will (Desiring God) references 2 Corinthians 8:16-17 to illustrate how God's sovereign action can coexist with genuine human volition. Paul attributes Titus' earnestness both to God's action ("God put it in the heart of Titus") and to Titus' own accord, demonstrating that divine sovereignty and human responsibility are not mutually exclusive but are mysteriously intertwined.

Exodus 33:19 Christian References outside the Bible:

Understanding God's Sovereignty in Mercy and Election (MLJTrust) explicitly references Puritan theologian Stephen Charnock, quoting his distinction between God's necessary goodness and His voluntary goodness, and using Charnock's analogy of the sun's indiscriminate shining versus God's selective mercy. The sermon also mentions Karl Barth and William Barclay as proponents of universalism, critiquing their views as contrary to the explicit teaching of Exodus 33:19. Additionally, C.H. Dodd is cited for his interpretation of election as ultimately leading to universal salvation, which the preacher rejects.

Embracing God's Omnipotence in Salvation and Grace (Ligonier Ministries) references Thomas Aquinas (via Sinclair Ferguson) on the nature of theology as proceeding from God, teaching about God, and leading back to God in worship. Augustine is also cited for the idea that God's inability to act against His nature is not a limitation but a demonstration of true power. The Canons of Dort are referenced in the discussion of election and reprobation, and Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying that a lack of heart for the lost may indicate one is not saved.

Exodus 33:19 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Reflecting God's Greatness: The Power of Prayer (Leonia United Methodist Church) uses the metaphor of the "spotlight" from popular culture and psychology to illustrate the concept of God's glory. The preacher explains the "spotlight effect," a psychological phenomenon where people overestimate how much others are paying attention to them, and contrasts this with the spiritual spotlight of God's glory, which is not about drawing attention to oneself but to Christ. The analogy is extended to discuss the discomfort of public attention in modern society, especially with the prevalence of social media and constant observation, and is used to encourage believers to embrace being in the "spiritual spotlight" for God's purposes rather than their own fame.