Exodus 33:12-23

Moses pleads with God

12 Moses said to the LORD, "Look, you've been telling me, ‘Lead these people forward.' But you haven't told me whom you will send with me. Yet you've assured me, ‘I know you by name and think highly of you.'
13 Now if you do think highly of me, show me your ways so that I may know you and so that you may really approve of me. Remember too that this nation is your people."
14 The LORD replied, "I'll go myself, and I'll help you."
15 Moses replied, "If you won't go yourself, don't make us leave here.
16 Because how will anyone know that we have your special approval, both I and your people, unless you go with us? Only that distinguishes us, me and your people, from every other people on the earth."
17 The LORD said to Moses, "I'll do exactly what you've asked because you have my special approval, and I know you by name."
18 Moses said, "Please show me your glorious presence."
19 The LORD said, "I'll make all my goodness pass in front of you, and I'll proclaim before you the name, ‘The LORD.' I will be kind to whomever I wish to be kind, and I will have compassion to whomever I wish to be compassionate.
20 But," the LORD said, "you can't see my face because no one can see me and live."
21 The LORD said, "Here is a place near me where you will stand beside the rock.
22 As my glorious presence passes by, I'll set you in a gap in the rock, and I'll cover you with my hand until I've passed by.
23 Then I'll take away my hand, and you will see my back, but my face won't be visible."

Exodus 33:12-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 33

This chapter informs us, that the Lord refusing to go with the people, only sending an angel with them, they are filled with concern, and troubled, Ex 33:1-6. Moses upon this pitched the tabernacle without the camp, where everyone that sought the Lord went; Moses entered into it himself, and the Lord talked to him in a friendly manner in the cloudy pillar that stood at the door of it, and the people worshipped, every man at his own tent door; all which foreboded good, and tended to reconciliation, Ex 33:7-11. Moses improved the opportunity, and entreats the presence of God to go with them, which was granted, Ex 33:12-17 and that he might have a sight of the glory of God; and this is promised to pass before him, he being put into the cleft of the rock, Ex 33:18-23.

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