Exo 33:5 | KingComments | STEP | Through the intercession of Moses and the judgment exercised, God can still give Moses the order to bring the people to the promised land. That does not mean that God is pretending that nothing has happened. He will not go up in their midst Himself. He will send an angel as a guide. If He Himself came into their midst, it would mean the end of their existence. He would destroy them in His holiness. The people are impressed by God’s intention not to go up in their midst. They don’t put on their ornaments. Then God speaks again of the obstinance of the people and that He would destroy them if He were in their midst only for a moment. Had Moses then not pleaded for the people? Was then the evil not judged? Yes, but God also wants to see repentance in the people themselves. He commands that they put off their ornaments. It means the acknowledgment that there is no place for outward appearance. Then He withdraws as it were to deliberate. The outcome of these deliberations depends on what He sees in the people. This gives the people the time and opportunity to show that they truly want to humble themselves.

‏ Exodus 33:5

The People Must Depart

Through the intercession of Moses and the judgment exercised, God can still give Moses the order to bring the people to the promised land. That does not mean that God is pretending that nothing has happened. He will not go up in their midst Himself. He will send an angel as a guide. If He Himself came into their midst, it would mean the end of their existence. He would destroy them in His holiness.

The people are impressed by God’s intention not to go up in their midst. They don’t put on their ornaments. Then God speaks again of the obstinance of the people and that He would destroy them if He were in their midst only for a moment.

Had Moses then not pleaded for the people? Was then the evil not judged? Yes, but God also wants to see repentance in the people themselves. He commands that they put off their ornaments. It means the acknowledgment that there is no place for outward appearance. Then He withdraws as it were to deliberate. The outcome of these deliberations depends on what He sees in the people. This gives the people the time and opportunity to show that they truly want to humble themselves.