And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of
the
congregation
He had been there before, both in the holy, and in the most holy
place, to see that the furniture of each were put as the Lord
directed, which being done he came out again; and now a cloud
being on the outside of it, and the glory of the Lord within, he
was so struck with an awe and reverence of the divine Being, of
whose presence these were a symbol, that he could not engage his
heart, or had not boldness to go into the tabernacle until he was
called, ( Leviticus
1:1 ) for so it follows:
because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord
filled
the tabernacle;
there was something, no doubt, very venerable in the spreading
cloud, as well as very striking in the refulgent glory, which
commanded distance, even to a person that had been used to
converse with God; Moses, that went into the midst of the cloud
where the Lord was, now could not or durst not go into the
tabernacle it covered; and he who then was not deterred by the
sight of the glory of God, which was like devouring fire, (
Exodus
24:16-18 ) now could not, or at least thought it not proper
and advisable to enter into the holy place erected for the
service and worship of God; the chief reason of which may be,
because, as yet, he had not a call to enter, as he then had, and
as we find was afterwards given him, ( Leviticus
1:1 ) and perhaps another reason may be, because he was now
no longer a priest; Aaron and his sons being invested with the
priestly office, whose business it was to draw nigh to God; and
indeed the call he afterwards had was not to come into the
tabernacle, but was a call unto him out of it.