Exodus 33

The LORD refuseth to go with the people, as he had promised formerly, v.i, etc. the people mourned over it, and layeth by their ornament 4. Moseh causeth the Tebernacle to be brought forth without the Camp, 7. He goeth into to it, God speaks with him in it, 9. He prayeth the LORD, to shew him his way, 12. and that he would be pleased to go with the people, 15. which God doth promise again unto him, 17. He desireth to see the glory of God, 18. God promiseth to proclaim his Name abroad, 19. But his face be seen by no man, 20.

1. Morevover the LORD spake to Moseh, Go, get thee hence, thou and the people with thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land which i have sworn to Abraham, Isaac ,and Jaco[i.e. Promised unto theem oth; whence alos the Land of Canaan was called the land of promise] saying [viz. to each one of those three Patriarchs in particular, and as several times] unto thy sed will i give it]

2. And I will send an Angel before thy face, [He doth not speak here of the Son of Go, as before, Exod.23.20. But of another created Angel] and i will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, and the Hithies, and the Pherizites, the Hivites,a nd the Jebusites; [understand like wise the Girgasites, expressed , Deuteronomy 7:1.]

3. Unto the land that floweth with Milk and Honey, for I shall not go up in the midst of thee; [i.e. I shall not conduct you henceforward any longerby a visible token of my presence, as hitherto i did by the cloudy pillar:never the less God of his goodness was entreated again, and did continue marching along before and with his people as formely] for thou art a stiff – necked people, that i consume thee not upon this way.

4. When the people heard this evil word, they mourned, and none of them put on his ornament.

5. And the LORD had said to Moseh, Say unto the children of Israel, Thou art a stiff – necked people; in a moment i should i should go up in the midst of thee, and should destroy thee, should i destroy thee. The sense is, ifi did go up in the midst of thee, should i destroy thee. The sense is, if ye should chance to treapass once again so obominably against me, as ye did with the setting of the golden Calf, i should assurredly destroy you altogether on a sudden] yet now, put off thy ornament from thee, and i shall know what I shall do.

6. Then the children of Israel bereaved themselves of their ornaments, (afar off) [This parenthesis inserted here out of the next verse] from Mount Horeb.

7. And Moseh took the Tent , [Oth. a Tent : not the tent where the people was to assemble together , for the exercise of the publique worship, for the same was not made yet, as appears by Exodus 36 .But this was Moseh his own Tent , or an other which was made of purpose for Moseh to take up his abode for a time in the same , where the people might repair unto him , until they should be reconciled with God . And pitched him (the same) without the Camp , removing far off from the Camp, God eing departed from the Camp, verse 3. Moseh would not remain there neither] and he called it, the Tent of the Congregation : and it came to pass , that every one that sought the LORD [or, enquired counsel of the LORD, viz. by Moseh] went forth to the Tent of the Congregation , which was without the Camp.

8. And it came to pass , when Moseh went forth to the Tent , [viz. out of the Camp, to his new-erected Tent without the Camp , to intercede with God for the people] all the people stood [Heb. they stood] up, and every one put himself in the door of his Tent : and they looked after Moseh , untill he was entred into his Tent .

9. And it came to pass , when Moseh was entred into the Tent , that the cloud pillar came downwards [viz. from the Mount] and stood in the door of the Tent : and He [viz. the LORD , as verse 11.] spake with Moseh , [viz. out of the cloud pillar, which was an assured token of Gods grace and favour , Psalms 99:7.]

10. When the people saw the cloud pillar to stand in the door of the Tent ; then all the people rose up , and bowed themselves , every one in the door of his Tent .

11. And the LORD spake to Moseh face to face , [i.e. familiarly, plainly, by a clear and articulate voice , this was a special priviledge , which no other Prophets had , Deut .5.4. and chapter 34.10. and Num.12.6,7,8.] even as a man speaketh with his friend : after that , he [viz. Moseh] returned again to the Camp ; yet his servant Joshua , the son of Nun , that young man , departed not out of the midst of the Tent [i.e. he came not into the midst of the Camp, but remained constantly in the tent without the Camp.]

12. And Moseh said to the LORD ; Behold, Thou sayest to me , [Above verse 1.] Carry this people up , but Thou letst me not know , whom [Oth. What] Thou wilt send with me : whereas Thou hast said ; I know thee by name , [i.e. I have known and chosen thee in love before others , and take a very particular care of thee ; Compare Gen.18.19. Exodus 31:2.] and likewise Thou hast found grace in mine eyes . [see Gen.6.8.]

13. Now then, I pray, if I have found grace in thine eyes ,then let me know thy way now, [i.e. shew me the means , whereby Thou intendest to guide and guard this people ; or, how Thou wilt deal with them] and I shall know Thee , that I may finde grace in thine eyes : [ oth. Because I found grace , etc. or, that I may finde grace , etc. and regard , that this Nation is thy people.

14. Then he said , Must my face go along , for to set thee at rest ? [Oth. My face shall, etc. by the face of God here , is understood the visible token of his gracious presence , such as was the cloud-pillar, and the fire-pillar.]

15. Then he [viz. Moseh] said to him ; If thy face shall not go along, do not make us go up hence .

16. For whereby should it be made now , that I found grace in thine eyes , and thy people ? is it not thereby , That thou goest with us ? Thus shall we be seperated , I, and thy people from all the people that is upon the face of the earth .

17. Then the LORD said to Moseh : This same thing likewise which thou hast spoken , I will do : [i.e. I will go up along with you] because thou hast found grace in mine eyes , and I know thee by name . [see above verse 12.]

18. Then said he , shew me now thy glory.

19. But he said ; I will curse all my goodness to pass by before thy face , and I will proclaim the Name of the LORD [or , the Name of JEHOVAH ; see the fulfilling hereof , Exodus 34:6.] before thy face : but I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious , and I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.

20. He said moreover ; Thou shalt not be able to see my face [i.e. my own Essence and proper Being, nor my Glory in its perfection , by reason of thy sinfulness , Rom.3.23. We cannot see God in this mortal and corruptible life . See Gen.16.13. but hereafter we shall see him as he is , 1 Cor. 13.12. and 1 Jo.3.2.] for no mae shall see me , and live . [Hence arose the common opinion amoung the Israelites , that they must die , if they should see the LORD , Deut .5.24,25. Judges 13:22. Isa.6.5. Daniel 10:8. and Rev.1.17.]

21. The LORD said further ; Behold there is a place by me , [viz. upon mount Sinai , or Horeb] there thou shalt place thy self upon a Rock.

22. And it shall come to pass , when my Glory shall pass by before thee , [i.e. when I shall pass by thee there in my Glory] then I will set thee in a cleft of the rock : and I will cover thee with my hand , until I shall be passed by.

23. And when I shall have taken away my hand , then shalt thou see my hindmost parts , but my face shall not be seen. [See above verse 20.]