Exodus 23:20-33

Exodus 23:20-Micah : E. Closing Discourse ( Exodus 23:23-Lamentations : a, Exodus 23:27, and Exodus 23:31 b – Exodus 23:33 Rd).— This passage is highly complex. The verses just noted bear marks of the school of D; they condemn “ pillare,” which E approves ( Exodus 24:4 and elsewhere); their warning tone is inconsistent with the dominant tone of promise; and they reflect the view of the Conquest as a clean sweep, which Rd expresses throughout Jos. E’ s Covenant Book has its epilogue ( cf. Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28) presenting God as the Guide and Guardian of His faithful people. While J regards the pillar of cloud ( Exodus 13:21) and the Ark ( Numbers 10:23), if not Hobab ( Numbers 10:31), as the instrument of the Divine guidance, E here promises the companionship of “ an angel,” who is, however, equivalent to God, whose “ name is in Him” ( Exodus 23:21, cf. Genesis 24:7, etc.). The conception of God as manifested under the guise of an angel may be viewed as a preparation for the revelation of the Incarnate Son and the Indwelling Spirit. Abundance, health, fertility, long life, and national stability should follow loyalty to His leading ( Exodus 23:25 d – Exodus 23:26). A plague of hornets should help in the conquest ( Exodus 23:28), which should, however ( Exodus 23:29 f.), be gradual ( cf. Judges 1:19, etc.), till it reached the Euphrates ( Exodus 23:31), as once happened under David and Solomon. In Exodus 23:31 b – Exodus 23:33 Rd, Israel, not God, is to drive out the Canaanites. Perhaps originally in E this epilogue followed the ratification of the covenant ( Exodus 24:3-Ruth :) and the construction of the Tent of Meeting ( Exodus 33:7-1 Kings :).