Exodus 33:9. And the Lord talked with Moses— Houbigant, observing that there is nothing for the Lord in the Hebrew, renders the last clause of this verse, and the pillar stood at the door of the tabernacle, behind Moses. read more
9-11. the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle—How would the downcast hearts of the people revive—how would the tide of joy swell in every bosom, when the symbolic cloud was seen slowly and majestically to descend and stand at the entrance of the tabernacle! as Moses entered—It was when he appeared as their mediator, when he repaired from day to day to intercede for them, that welcome token of assurance was given that his advocacy prevailed, that Israel's sin was... read more
The tent referred to here cannot be the tabernacle since the Israelites had not yet built it. It must have been a smaller tent used as a meeting place for Moses, the people, and God over which the pillar of cloud stood. This tent served some of the functions of the tabernacle that later replaced it. Moses now moved this tent outside the camp to symbolize the removal of God’s presence from the people’s midst. [Note: See Henry Mowvley, "John 1:14-18 in the light of Exodus 33:7-34:35," The... read more
The Intercession of Moses (continued)6. By the mount Horeb] RV ’from mount Horeb onward’: this implies that they ceased wearing their ornaments. Their humiliation was lasting. Horeb] i.e. Sinai: see on Exodus 3:1.7. Moses took the tabernacle] RV ’Moses used to take the tent,.. and he called it, The tent of meeting’: see on Exodus 25:22. The tent here is most probably not the Tabernacle whose construction is prescribed in Exodus 25-31. The words describe the practice of Moses before its... read more
MOSES ESTABLISHES A TEMPORARY TABERNACLE.(7-11) Moses, having experienced the blessedness of solitary communion with God during the forty days spent on Sinai, felt now, as he had never felt before, the want of a “house of God,” whither he might retire for prayer and meditation, secure of being undisturbed. Months would necessarily elapse before the Tabernacle could be constructed according to the pattern which he had seen in the mount. During this interval he determined to make use of one of... read more
The Presence Shall Enlighten the Way (for the New Year) Exodus 33:13-15 We have here: I. An unenlightened prayer for light. A rash prayer, impatient, unwise, and of the kind which God never answers according to our pleasure. Show me now Thy way. He wanted to have the sealed book opened, unrolled and set before him that book in which God has written things to come. The Lord is too merciful to let us look ahead. It is in mercy that He overthrows our predictions and mocks our guesses. It is... read more
CHAPTER XXXIII.PREVAILING INTERCESSION.Exodus 33:1-23At this stage the first concession is announced: Moses shall lead the people to their rest, and God will send an angel with him.We have seen that the original promise of a great Angel in whom was the Divine Presence was full of encouragement and privilege (Exodus 23:20). No unbiassed reader can suppose that it is the sending of this same Angel of the Presence which now expresses the absence of God, or that He Who then would not pardon their... read more
5. Moses’ Intercession and its Results CHAPTER 33 Repentance and Intercession 1. The word of the Lord and the people’s repentance (Exodus 33:1-6 ) 2. The tabernacle without the camp (Exodus 33:7 ) 3. Moses enters the tabernacle (Exodus 33:8-11 ) 4. Moses’ prayer and Jehovah’s answers (Exodus 33:12-17 ) 5. Moses’ request (Exodus 33:18-23 ) The words of the Lord, with which this chapter begins, reveal Him as the covenant-keeping Jehovah. He remembers His covenant, though they are a... read more
TOLD TO GO WITHOUT THE LORD'S PRESENCE (vs.1-23) Again the Lord gives instructions to Moses to depart with the people to go to the land of Canaan, affirming also that He would send His angel before them, who would drive out the nations inhabiting the land (vs.1-2). However, the Lord added a statement that was absolutely devastating to Moses, "I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people" (v.3). Could Moses think of leading the people on... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 33:7-11
THE TEMPORARY TABERNACLE"Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it without the camp, afar off from the camp; and he called it The tent of meeting. And it came to pass that every one that sought Jehovah went out unto the tent of meeting, which was without the camp. And it came to pass that when Moses went out unto the Tent, that all the people rose up and stood, every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses until he was gone into the Tent. And it came to pass, when Moses entered into... read more