In this discourse, we have addressed the higher aspects of our subject, and now we will turn to what follows. Why does the one who, as testified by the Divine voice, has witnessed God’s presence in numerous theophanies—who speaks of seeing “face to face, as one speaks to his friend” (Ex. 33:11)—still plead for a revelation of God to him (Ex. 33:13), even after Scripture indicates he has already seen Him? This seems perplexing, as though the One who has appeared to him was still unseen. While the heavenly voice concedes to fulfill the supplicant's request and even grants additional grace, it simultaneously leads him to despair by declaring that what he desires is beyond human possibility. Yet, God mentions there is a specific place "with Me," where there exists a rock with a “cleft.” Moses is instructed to stand there, and as God covers the mouth of the cleft with His hand and passes by, Moses glimpses “behind” Him, believing he has attained the vision he requested and that the promise of the Divine voice holds true (Ex. 33:21-23).
Examining this only in a literal sense will yield a meaning that is obscure and potentially misguided regarding the nature of God. For only that which is seen in an outline can have both front and back; every outline forms the boundary of a body. Hence, one who depicts God in such limited terms fails to perceive Him as transcending physicality. All bodies, undeniably complex, comprise a blend of varied elements; thus, one cannot claim that such a composite is indestructible, as the decomposable cannot be eternal. Therefore, if anyone perceives the essence of God literally, they will arrive at the nonsensical conclusion that God Himself is subject to corruption, which is unthinkable, as God is incorruptible and immaterial. What sense, then, do we derive from the written text beyond its immediate interpretation? Yet, if our exploration pushes us to seek a deeper meaning, we must also grasp the entirety of the text in that light.
Thus, the place “with God,” along with the stone and the room in it—the cleft where Moses stands, the hand of God upon the cleft's mouth, the passing by, the proclamation, and the subsequent vision of the back—requires a further examination under the principle of elevating understanding to a more profound perspective. What does this symbolize? Just as bodies poised to roll down a slope swiftly descend on their own once they begin to move, a soul that renounces earthly desires experiences an upward movement, filled with zeal, rising from the mundane to the divine.
As it ascends, nothing obstructs its pursuit; the nature of goodness inherently attracts those who aspire upward. Thus, it continually progresses beyond itself in its quest for heavenly aspirations, as the Apostle notes in his exhortation to reach “forward” (Phil. 3:13), perpetually striving toward the ultimate. The soul endeavors to grasp heights yet to be attained while renewing its commitment to soar higher, for sustained activity directed towards virtue invigorates its efforts, amplifying rather than diminishing the drive toward goodness. Therefore, we note that even Moses, distinguished in greatness, never halts his ascent nor sets limits on his pursuit of the sublime.
Once he embarks upon the ladder where, as James states, “God is established” (Gen. 28:13), he relentlessly seeks the next elevation, continually reaching for higher steps, as even on the summit he discovers further ascents waiting. He renounces false ties with the Egyptian royal family, becomes the protector of the Hebrews, withdraws to a desolate wilderness, tends to a flock of gentle creatures, and witnesses a radiant light. By removing his shoes, he prepares for a greater enlightenment. Chosen to liberate his people, he watches the enemy succumb to the waters, sets up camp beneath a divine cloud, quenching his thirst from a rock, nourishing himself with heavenly sustenance, overcoming foes through the uplifted hands, hearing the blast of the trumpet, entering into darkness, and delving into the secrets of the uncreated sanctuary.
He dismantles idols, pleases God, restores the law shattered by Israel’s sins, shines with glory, and despite reaching such elevated heights, he remains fervent in desiring more, eternally craving the divinity he perceives yet has not fully attained. His request for God’s face is not one seeking mere visual satisfaction but rather stems from an innate longing evident in the soul, yearning for divine beauty and continuously reaching for that ultimate beauty realized in the higher divine realms.
Moses wishes not for mere reflections or shadows but for a direct encounter with the source of beauty itself. The divine voice responds, but the answer is profound, revealing deep truths. God fulfills Moses' wish, yet does not promise any earthly comfort or gratification. The revelation of God to His servant would never consist of what might satisfy a mere spectator's earthly desires. This is the essence of the true vision of God: it perpetually ignites an unquenchable thirst in those who behold it. God states, “Man cannot see Me and remain alive” (Ex. 33:20).
This proclamation does not imply that seeing God's face results in death; after all, the visage of Life cannot be the cause of death. Rather, it underscores that, although God is inherently life-giving, the Divine nature transcends any attributes we might ascribe to it. One who assumes God is fully comprehensible departs from understanding the Divine essence that lies beyond human grasp. True existence equates to true life, which remains beyond comprehension. Consequently, if life-giving essence transcends knowledge, that which can be known falls short of being truly alive; thus, it cannot impart life. What Moses sought was unfulfilled because he realized that God's essence is beyond definition and beyond measure.
If the Divine could be confined within limits, then those limits would inherently fail to encapsulate all that God encompasses. Much like air and water serve as limits for land-dwellers and aquatic beings respectively, confining God implies He would be surrounded by something alien to His nature. However, God's essence is undeniably beautiful, and anything that fails to align with beauty is necessarily distinct from it, rooted instead in the nature of evil. This contrasts reveal that anything perceived as limiting God also subjects Him to negativity. Therefore, any attempt to contain God within limits is patently absurd.
One should not seek to comprehend the invisible nature of God within the confines of human understanding. Instead, the soul's yearning for beauty grows stronger as it ascends toward the sublime. The authentic experience of seeing God embodies an insatiable desire that only intensifies with each new revelation. It follows that one who beholds as much beauty as possible will find themselves forever fueled by a longing to encounter more. Hence, no boundaries can hinder the ascent toward God, for there are no limits to beauty, and no fulfillment can extinguish one’s desire for the greater Beauty.
Then, what signifies this particular place identified by God? What is this rock? What capacity lies within its confines? What do we make of God's hand that covers the mouth of the cleft? What does God's passing mean? What does it entail to witness the back of God, which He promised to disclose to Moses who sought to behold His face? Each of these elements is undoubtedly great and deserving of the grandeur of the Giver, indicating a promise far superior to any divine manifestations previously revealed.
Therefore, from what has been elucidated, one can grasp the extraordinary heights to which Moses longs to ascend, while God, who “works all things together for good” (Rom. 8:28), facilitates this ascent. “This is the place by Me,” God declares (Ex. 33:21). In light of earlier exposition, we can infer that by indicating a place, God does not impose restrictions based on quantity—after all, what is immeasurable cannot be confined. Rather, by transcending the constraints of outline, God invites the listener into the boundless and infinite.
Thus, the message seems to communicate: since you continually seek to extend forward, lacking satiety in your journey, you are destined to remain in an unceasing flow. Indeed, “I have a place where those who pass through do not halt their current.” Yet, this flowing current paradoxically stands still: “Stand upon this rock” (Ex. 33:21). It is remarkable that something can embody both movement and stability. One who ascends does not remain stationary, while one who stands does not ascend. In this case, steadfastness entails an ascending nature. Hence, the more steadfastly one remains, the more efficacious is their flow of virtue.
In contrast, someone who is volatile and unstable in their convictions cannot maintain goodness; they drift, as the Apostle warns (Eph. 4:14), vacillating amidst uncertainties, never achieving true virtue. Just as travelers on shifting sands may seem to traverse significant distances while making no progress, so too does one who wavers fail to achieve ascendance. However, as the Psalmist states, having extracted his feet from mire, he sets them "upon a rock" (Ps. 39:3)—the rock being Christ, who embodies perfect virtue.
The more firmly one is established in goodness—aligned with Paul’s exhortation to remain "steady" (1 Cor. 15:58)—the more easily they soar upward, as if aided by wings, drawing on this foundation to reach higher realms. Hence, He who revealed the place to Moses, assuring him of a position upon the rock, directs him toward divine ascendance. The Apostle eloquently articulated this truth, affirming that those who disassemble the earthly tabernacle have guardianship of the eternal temple not made with human hands (2 Cor. 5:1).
Truly, whoever has navigated the “course” in this expansive spiritual field—this place referenced in Scriptures—while keeping the faith (2 Tim. 4:7), or metaphorically, has set their feet “upon a rock,” will receive the crown of righteousness from the hand of the Most High. Various names describe this reward in Scripture: the cleft of the rock, the sweetness of paradise (Gen. 3:23), eternal shelter (Luke 16:9), dwelling with the Father (John 14:2), the bosom of the patriarch (Luke 16:22), the land of the living (Ps. 114:8), still waters (Ps. 22:2), the heavenly Jerusalem (Gal. 4:26), the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 7:21), the honor of divine rank (Phil. 3:14), and the crown of grace (Prov. 1:9), are just a few of the multifaceted descriptions offered.
Thus, we affirm that those who perceive Moses’ entrance into the rock are aligned in this understanding. Paul, recognizing the rock as Christ, expresses a shared belief that all goodness emanates from Him, wherein lies the treasures of grace. Anyone who dwells in goodness indeed dwells in Christ, for He is the embodiment of all goodness. Whoever reaches this point and is embraced by the hand of God—the hand representing the life-giving power of creation, the Only Begotten who created all things (John 1:3)—will be guided and will hear the call, standing behind the Divine presence, following the path laid out by the Lord.
This understanding resonates with David's proclamation: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 90:1). This signifies being hidden in God’s being, as underscored: “His feathers shall cover you, and under His wings, you shall find refuge” (Ps. 91:4). This notion mirrors what it means to follow God, remaining steadfast. David expresses reliance on the right hand of God that sustains him (Ps. 62:9).
THEOSIS