Exodus 33:17

EXODUS 33:17

In Exodus 33:17, the Lord reassures Moses with a personal, intimate promise: “I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” This occurs after the people’s rebellion with the golden calf and Moses’ intercession on their behalf. God’s response to Moses hinges on two realities: grace and relationship. The Hebrew word often rendered “grace” (chen) points to favor granted not on merit but by divine choosing. Moses isn’t the only faithful Israelite, but he stands uniquely as the covenant mediator—someone through whom God will reveal his purposes to his people. “I know you by name” elevates Moses from a task-oriented servant to a confidant, a man with a personal, navigable relationship with the divine.

Culturally, ancient Near Eastern kings would alight from the throne to be approached with petitions, yet here there is a notable reversal: the God of Israel communicates in a relational, approachable way, calling Moses by name. The moment anchors the unfolding narrative of Moses as mediator, intercessor, and friend of God, and it sets the stage for the intimate revelation that follows.

This verse foregrounds grace as the posture of God toward human leadership and intercession. It is not Moses’ resume or perfection that earns God’s favor, but God’s own gracious, choosing love. The knowledge of Moses by name signals a covenantal intimacy—God is not distant or abstract but personally invested in Moses’ life and mission. This also foreshadows the idea that God’s presence accompanies his calling: the next verse will show God’s desire to reveal himself in intimate ways to Moses. Theologically, it affirms the relational character of the Mosaic covenant: God delights to be known, yet he safeguards his holiness and sovereignty, reserving certain displays of his glory for moments of mercy and strategic revelation.

We, too, are invited into a relationship where grace precedes merit. Do you feel known by name by God in your daily life? This verse invites us to trust not in our track record but in God’s choosing love. In practical terms, bring your requests before God not as demands but as a child who knows a father’s ear. When you feel insignificant or unworthy, remember that God has named you in the sense of defining your purpose within his covenant. Intercession remains a powerful practice: like Moses, we can plead for our community, praying for mercy and guidance even amid rebellion or brokenness. If you sense God’s calling or a sense of purpose, lean into the relationship that makes you known to him—cultivate daily time in which you listen as well as speak.

Cross-References: Genesis 32:28; Exodus 3:14; Psalm 139:1-4; John 10:14-15; 1 Corinthians 3:16