Biblical Context:
The request of Moses to see God's glory is a significant event recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 33:18-23. This passage occurs after the Israelites' sin with the golden calf and Moses' intercession on their behalf. God has reaffirmed His covenant with Israel, and Moses seeks further assurance of God's presence with His people.

Scriptural Account:
In Exodus 33:18, Moses boldly asks God, "Please show me Your glory." This request comes after Moses has been in deep communion with God, interceding for the Israelites and seeking God's favor. Moses desires a deeper revelation of God's nature and presence, beyond what he has already experienced.

God's response to Moses is both gracious and protective. In Exodus 33:19-20, God says, "I will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. But He added, 'You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.'" Here, God emphasizes His sovereign grace and the inherent danger of His holiness to sinful humanity.

Theophany and Divine Revelation:
God instructs Moses to stand on a rock, and as His glory passes by, God will cover Moses with His hand to protect him, allowing Moses to see only His back (Exodus 33:21-23). This theophany, or visible manifestation of God, underscores the transcendence and holiness of God. The "back" of God symbolizes the limited revelation that humans can comprehend, as God's full glory is beyond human capacity to endure.

Theological Significance:
Moses' request and God's response highlight several key theological themes:

1. The Holiness of God: God's holiness is so profound that direct exposure to His full glory would be fatal to sinful humans. This underscores the need for mediation and atonement, themes central to the biblical narrative.

2. The Grace of God: Despite the limitations imposed by human sinfulness, God graciously reveals His goodness and character to Moses. This act of revelation is a testament to God's desire for relationship and communication with His people.

3. The Sovereignty of God: God's declaration, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy," emphasizes His sovereign will in dispensing grace and compassion. This statement is later echoed in the New Testament, particularly in Romans 9:15, as a foundational truth about God's sovereign election.

4. The Mediator Role of Moses: Moses acts as a mediator between God and Israel, prefiguring the ultimate mediation of Christ. His intercession and desire to know God more intimately reflect the heart of a true leader and servant of God.

Implications for Believers:
For believers, Moses' encounter with God's glory serves as an invitation to seek a deeper relationship with God, while recognizing the need for reverence and humility. It also points to the ultimate revelation of God's glory in Jesus Christ, who makes it possible for believers to approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Through Christ, the veil is lifted, and believers can behold the glory of the Lord, being transformed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).