Moses asked to see God's glory. God showed him His goodness. Explore Exodus 33-34, Ezekiel's dry bones, and Revelation 5 on the Intermediate Shabbat of Passover.
When I was traveling from Denmark to Sweden alone during my last year of study abroad I had experience of something akin to glory though not with the weight. I had booked a sleeper train compartment to travel overnight from Malmo Sweden to Stockholm. There is of course a longer story and context but suffice it to say I made it safely to my compartment. I got in the bed and suddenly something (well, really Someone) filled the compartment and pressed me against the wall and I found myself involuntarily saying thank you. There was no bright light, just presence. This happened to me during a time of spiritual struggle-truthfully more like rebellion. I was 21. You never forget something like that and a little of the emotional residue is still with me. I am now 75. Your explanation and illustration of glory brought it all back. Thank you 🙏🏼
Hi Lynette...good question! At first glance, it doesn’t look like 13.
And that’s because some of the attributes are single Hebrew words or paired phrases that the tradition treats as distinct.
Here is the traditional breakdown:
Adonai
Adonai
El (God / mighty one)
Rachum (compassionate)
Chanun (gracious)
Erech apayim (slow to anger)
Rav chesed (abundant in lovingkindness)
Emet (truth / faithfulness)
Notzer chesed la’alafim (keeping mercy for thousands)
Nosei avon (forgiving iniquity)
Vafesha (and transgression)
Vechata’ah (and sin)
Venakeh (and cleansing / acquitting)
So another common question after breaking it down is why is "ADONAI” counted twice.
Jewish tradition doesn't treat that as an accidental repetition. Instead, it reads it as revealing God’s mercy on two levels. Adonia before a person sins and Adonai after a person sins and repents. I hope that helps!!
When I was traveling from Denmark to Sweden alone during my last year of study abroad I had experience of something akin to glory though not with the weight. I had booked a sleeper train compartment to travel overnight from Malmo Sweden to Stockholm. There is of course a longer story and context but suffice it to say I made it safely to my compartment. I got in the bed and suddenly something (well, really Someone) filled the compartment and pressed me against the wall and I found myself involuntarily saying thank you. There was no bright light, just presence. This happened to me during a time of spiritual struggle-truthfully more like rebellion. I was 21. You never forget something like that and a little of the emotional residue is still with me. I am now 75. Your explanation and illustration of glory brought it all back. Thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am glad the post resonated with you!
Hi Diane, what are the 13 attributes, I am counting 10 what am I missing?
Hi Lynette...good question! At first glance, it doesn’t look like 13.
And that’s because some of the attributes are single Hebrew words or paired phrases that the tradition treats as distinct.
Here is the traditional breakdown:
Adonai
Adonai
El (God / mighty one)
Rachum (compassionate)
Chanun (gracious)
Erech apayim (slow to anger)
Rav chesed (abundant in lovingkindness)
Emet (truth / faithfulness)
Notzer chesed la’alafim (keeping mercy for thousands)
Nosei avon (forgiving iniquity)
Vafesha (and transgression)
Vechata’ah (and sin)
Venakeh (and cleansing / acquitting)
So another common question after breaking it down is why is "ADONAI” counted twice.
Jewish tradition doesn't treat that as an accidental repetition. Instead, it reads it as revealing God’s mercy on two levels. Adonia before a person sins and Adonai after a person sins and repents. I hope that helps!!
I don't think in the flesh, we cannot handle the seeing of the Father's Glory!
I will be chewing on this for a long time!! So much revelation. I always struggled with the “glory” aspect and you explained wonderfully! Beautiful!!
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for this! It is an interesting read.
I am glad you enjoyed it!