1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:
2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.
4 And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
5 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.
6 And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.
7 And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.
8 And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.
9 And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.
10 And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.
11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
18 And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
Exodus 33 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Exodus, as it marks a turning point in the relationship between God and the Israelites. In this chapter, Moses pleads with God to continue leading the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land, despite their disobedience and idolatry. The main themes of this chapter include the presence of God, intercession, and the consequences of sin. This chapter also holds great significance for Christians, as it reveals the character of God and the importance of seeking His presence in our lives.
Before delving into the details of this chapter, it is important to understand the context in which it takes place. The Israelites had just experienced the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, where God had displayed His power through the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. However, their journey to the Promised Land was not without challenges. The Israelites constantly grumbled and rebelled against God, even going as far as creating a golden calf to worship. This act of idolatry greatly angered God, and He threatened to destroy the Israelites and start over with Moses.
In response to this, Moses interceded on behalf of the people, pleading with God to spare them and continue leading them to the Promised Land. This brings us to Exodus 33, where Moses continues his conversation with God and seeks to reconcile the relationship between God and the Israelites.
The chapter begins with God telling Moses to leave Mount Sinai and lead the people to the land He had promised to their ancestors. However, God also warns Moses that He will not go with them, as He is still angry with the Israelites for their disobedience. This news greatly distresses Moses, as he knows that the presence of God is crucial for the success of their journey.
In response, Moses sets up a tent outside the camp, which he calls the "tent of meeting." This is where he would go to speak with God and seek His guidance. Moses then pleads with God to continue leading the Israelites and to show them His favor. He reminds God of His promise to be with them and to show them His glory. Moses' intercession is a powerful example of a leader standing in the gap for his people and seeking God's mercy and forgiveness on their behalf.
In verse 14, God responds to Moses' plea by saying, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." This is a significant moment in the relationship between God and the Israelites. Despite their disobedience and rebellion, God promises to continue leading them and being present with them. This shows the unchanging and faithful nature of God, who keeps His promises even when His people fail to keep theirs.
However, God also sets a condition for His presence to remain with the Israelites. He tells Moses that He will not go with them if His people continue to rebel and disobey Him. This highlights the importance of obedience and holiness in maintaining a close relationship with God. The consequences of sin are severe, and it can hinder our ability to experience the fullness of God's presence in our lives.
For Christians, Exodus 33 holds great significance as it reveals the character of God and His desire to be in relationship with His people. The presence of God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and this chapter highlights its importance. As believers, we are called to seek God's presence and to cultivate a close relationship with Him through prayer, worship, and obedience.
Furthermore, this chapter also serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin. Just as the Israelites faced the consequences of their disobedience, we too must be mindful of our actions and strive to live a life that is pleasing to God. However, when we do fall short, we can follow Moses' example and intercede for ourselves and others, knowing that God is merciful and forgiving.
The overarching message of Exodus 33 is the importance of seeking the presence of God in our lives. The Israelites were lost without God's guidance and protection, and the same is true for us. We cannot navigate through life successfully without the presence of God. This chapter also teaches us about the power of intercession and the importance of obedience in maintaining a close relationship with God.
Moreover, Exodus 33 also reveals the compassionate and merciful nature of God. Despite the Israelites' disobedience, God still showed them grace and promised to be with them. This is a reminder that no matter how far we may stray from God, He is always willing to forgive and restore us when we turn back to Him.
Exodus 33 is a powerful chapter that highlights the importance of seeking God's presence in our lives. It also teaches us about the power of intercession and the consequences of sin. As Christians, we can learn from the example of Moses and strive to cultivate a close relationship with God, knowing that His presence is essential for our journey through life. Let us remember the words of Moses in verse 15, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here." May we always seek the presence of God in our lives and never take it for granted.
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