Neville Goddard on Exodus 33:22

Executive Summary

In his interpretation of Exodus 33:22, Neville Goddard teaches that the term 'glory' is synonymous with God. By comparing the phrases 'my glory passes by' and 'when I pass by,' he concludes that God's glory is His own being, the essential 'I' or 'I AM'. This scriptural passage, therefore, does not describe God showing an attribute, but rather depicts the process of God literally giving Himself to man, thereby bringing individuals to glory by making them become God.

Key Concepts

• Glory is synonymous with God; it is not merely an attribute that God possesses.
• The biblical phrase 'my glory' is directly equated with 'I', the very being of God.
• God's name is I AM, and His glory is Himself, which He cannot give to another.
• The act of God's glory passing by signifies God literally giving Himself to an individual.
• This process is how God brings 'many sons unto glory'—by having them awaken as God.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard's understanding of Exodus 33:22 hinges on a direct equation between the terms 'glory' and God's own identity. He points to the parallel structure in the scripture where God says, 'I will make my glory to pass by' and subsequently, 'when I pass by.' This linguistic parallel reveals that 'my glory' is identical to 'I'. Therefore, when the scripture speaks of God's glory, it is speaking of God Himself.

This interpretation means that glory is not a quality or characteristic of God, but is the substance of His being. God's name is I AM, and this 'I' is His glory. Because God cannot give His glory—which is Himself—to another, the process described is one of incarnation and revelation. God becomes man so that man, through experience, can awaken as God. The act of glory passing by is the culmination of this journey, where God literally gives Himself to you.

This event is the fulfillment of God's purpose of 'bringing many sons unto glory.' It is not about bestowing a reward or a quality, but about a complete transference of being. By receiving God's glory, one receives God Himself and awakens from the 'dream of life' to the reality of being God. The scripture that one will see His 'back' but not His 'face' points to a divine revelation, as only the Son can truly know the Father.

Important Quotes

so, “my glory” is equated with the “I” of God, for His name is I AM.

— Secret Of Imagination

There He equates “glory” with “I”, so He gives Himself to you – actually, literally gives Himself to you, so that you become God!

— Who Is The Son Of Man

So, here we find “my glory” is equal to I. “My glory passes by,” and “When I pass by...”

— Predestined Glory

Related Concepts

• I AM: The source material explicitly states that God's glory is equated with the 'I' of God, 'for His name is I AM.' The glory that is given to man is this fundamental consciousness of being.
• The Promise: The concept of 'bringing many sons unto glory' is central to the Promise. The interpretation of this verse describes the ultimate fulfillment of that promise, where the individual awakens as God by receiving God's being (His glory).

Common Misunderstandings

• Glory is not an attribute: A common mistake is to think of glory as a quality like brightness or majesty that God possesses. The source material clarifies that glory is God Himself.
• The gift is not metaphorical: The act of God giving His glory is not a symbolic gesture. The sources emphasize that God 'actually, literally gives Himself to you,' resulting in you becoming God.

Practical Applications

The primary application of this teaching is not a technique for manifestation, but a profound shift in understanding one's ultimate destiny. By grasping that God's glory is His own being which is destined to be given to you, you can better understand the purpose behind the 'furnaces' of life. The journey of human experience is designed to culminate in the revelation of your own divinity, as you are one of the 'sons' being brought to glory—that is, to the full realization of being God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Neville Goddard mean by 'God's glory' in Exodus 33:22?

He means it is God's own being, the 'I' or 'I AM'. According to the source material, glory is not an attribute God has, but is what God is.

How does this interpretation relate to man's ultimate destiny?

It describes the process of God giving Himself to man. This is how God brings 'sons to glory,' which means individuals awaken to the reality that they are God.

Is the giving of glory a literal or symbolic event?

The source material stresses that it is a literal event. God 'actually, literally gives Himself to you, so that you become God!'