Exodus 33

Read Exodus 33.

After the incident of the golden calf (Exodus 32), the LORD told Moses to leave Sinai and lead the people to the promised land. But He declared that He Himself would not go with them; if He did, He would consume them along the way because of their stubbornness. Upon hearing this, the people mourned and stripped off their ornaments (as God had instructed).

Moses then took the tabernacle and pitched it outside the camp, calling it the "Tabernacle of the congregation," where anyone seeking the LORD could go. Moses entered the tabernacle, a pillar of cloud descended and stood at the entrance, and the LORD spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. The people, watching this, worshiped at the doors of their own tents. Afterward, Moses returned to the camp, while his young assistant Joshua stayed at the tabernacle.

Moses then interceded boldly on behalf of the people, pressing the LORD to reconsider His decision not to accompany them. He reminded the LORD that he had found grace in His sight, and he asked to know God's ways so that he might continue to find favor. He argued that it was the presence of the LORD going with them that distinguished Israel from every other nation on earth. The LORD relented and assured Moses that His presence would go with him and that He would give him rest because Moses had found grace in His sight and was known to Him by name.

Moses then made a bold personal request, asking the LORD to show him His glory. The LORD responded that He would make all of His goodness pass before Moses and would proclaim His name before him, showing grace and mercy to whom He chose. However, the LORD said that Moses could not see His face and live because no one could see His face and survive. Instead, the LORD instructed Moses to stand on a rock, where God would cover him with His hand as His glory passed by. God would then remove His hand, allowing Moses to see His back, but His face would remain unseen.

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