When Moses went out …. all the people rose up . Probably Moses "went out" at a set time, or at set times, each day; and the people watched for his going, and "rose up," as a mark of respect and reverence. They felt that he went to the tent mainly to pray for them . read more
As Moses entered into the tabernacle. Rather, "When Moses was gone into the tent." The cloudy pillar descended. It is not quite clear whether this was done once only, or whether the pillar, during the continuance of this "tent of meeting," alternated between the top of Sinai and the door of the tent, descending when Moses entered the tent and reascending when he quitted it. The latter supposition is most consonant with the previous statement ( Exodus 33:7 ) that "every one which sought... read more
The mode of recovering God's presence. Moses felt that he could not rest till he bad obtained for the people the complete return of God's favour, and the assurance of his perpetual presence. But this was no easy task. The offence given was so grievous that it could not be condoned at once. Even the penitence of the people had produced no more than a promise that God would take the matter into his consideration, and determine later what he would do to the people ( Exodus 33:5 ). Moses... read more
And all the people saw … and all the people rose up . This is a literal translation; but it would make the sense clearer to the ordinary reader if the passage were rendered—"And when all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the door of the tent, then all the people rose up," etc. Worshipped . Literally, "bowed themselves down"—"made an obeisance," in token that they recognised the presence of God. read more
The Lord spake unto Moses face to face . As one present—not as one at a distance—"month to mouth," as we read in Numbers 12:8 —but not under any visible form (see verses 20, 23, and compare Deuteronomy 4:12 , Deuteronomy 4:15 ). He turned again . After each conference, Moses returned to the camp, where, no doubt, he had put up for himself another tent, and where his presence was needed He left, however, his personal attendant ("minister"), Joshua, to watch and guard the sacred... read more
See, thou sayest . Moses takes advantage of his privilege of speaking as friend with friend, and uses familiar terms—"See," he says, "thou hast told me to conduct the people to Canaan, yet thou hast not made it clear whom thou wilt send with me. If it is to be an angel, what angel? Why not the angel of the original promise ( Exodus 23:20-23 )? Thou hast distinguished me with thy favour— Consider that this nation is thy people , and extend thy favour to them. At any rate shew me thy... read more
Effectual importunity. Our Lord Jesus Christ spake a parable to show "that men ought always to pray and not to faint" ( Luke 18:1 ). The present record is, we may be sure, inserted in the Old Testament for the same purpose. God wills to be importuned. Not, however, for his own sake, but for ours. He would have us fervent and persistent in prayer, for the improvement of our characters, the increase of our faith by exercise, the intensifying of our sense of dependence upon him. Especially... read more
The third intercession . Moses on this occasion pleads with God to restore his presence to the people. Very noteworthy are the steps in his entreaty. 1 . He veils his request under the form of a desire to know the divine intentions ( Exodus 33:12 ). Will God go up with them or not? God has not yet told him—will he tell him now? What, underneath this form of expression, the heart of Moses really presses for, is, of course, the assurance that God will go with them. 2 . He urges the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 33:7-11
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