Exodus 33:1-23
Q.1. What was Israel told through Moses? How did the people respond? How did the unique relationship of Moses impact others? – (Exo.33:1-11)
God gave Moses the marching orders – to the land of which I swore Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, To your descendants I will give it … a land flowing with milk and honey (Exo.33:1 & 3). He promised to send an angel before them to drive out the inhabitants of the land (Exo.33:2). However, after the episode of the golden calf, God declared – I will not go up in your midst … lest He destroy them (Exo.33:3). As a result, the people went into mourning and – stripped themselves of their ornaments … as Moses suggested (Exo.33:6 c.f. Exo.33:4-6). God had already given the exact design of the tabernacle (c.f. Exo.25:9 c.f. Exo.Chpts.25-27). However, it would take some time to produce. In the meantime, Moses pitched a temporary tent for himself and – everyone who sought the Lord would go to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp (Exo.33:7). He had a powerful influence on the people who would also worship in their own tents (Exo.33:8 & 10). God blessed the fellowship time – 9 Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses … Thus, the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend (Exo.33:9). Moses modelled dependence on God to his young successor, Joshua who – would not depart from the tent (Exo.33:11).
Q.2. What concerns did Moses express to God? How did God respond? Why did the Lord limit His revelation of Himself to Moses? – (Exo.33:12-23)
God had told Moses to lead the people he had brought from the land of Egypt (Exo.33:1). Moses argued that God had not told him who would assist him to accomplish such an ambitious task (Exo.33:12). Moses was unwilling to lead the people without an assurance of God’s presence. His dependence on the Lord was growing and he asked that if he had found favour with the Lord then – let me know Your ways that I might know You! (Exo.33:13). He refused to minister alone on the horizontal plain unless He could know the Lord better on the vertical plain. Then he reminded God – Consider too, that this nation is YOUR people! (Exo.33:13). His persistence was rewarded when God agreed – My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest (Exo.33:14). Moses responded – If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here! (Exo.33:15). Moses knew that Israel could never become God’s unique people without God’s presence. He asked- … Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth? (Exo.33:16). The Lord further honoured Moses by revealing His goodness to Moses while He hid him in the cleft of a rock – 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen (Exo.33:22-23). However, God would not reveal the full blaze of His glory because – You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! (Exo.33:20 c.f. Jn.1:18).