Exodus 33
Summary for Exod 33:1-6: 33:1-6 a God would not lead the people up to Canaan as he had previously led them (see 33:3 b; but see also 33:14-17 c). Instead, he would send an angel (33:2 d).Summary for Exod 33:2-3: 33:2-3 e an angel. ... But I will not travel: This angel was possibly not the “angel of the Lord,” since in Exodus and other parts of the Old Testament, the angel of the Lord is closely associated with the presence of the Lord himself (see 3:2 f; 23:20-23 g). Or, God might have been saying that while he would go before them in the person of the angel (33:2 h), he would not dwell among them (33:3 i) in the Tabernacle, as he had planned.
• Canaanites ... Jebusites: See study note on 3:8.
33:3 j land that flows with milk and honey: Although Canaan was not as fertile as the Nile Valley in Egypt, it was a great deal more productive agriculturally than the Sinai Desert where they were.
• stubborn and rebellious: They were covenant-breakers.
• I would surely destroy you: As the Covenant Lord (see study note on 23:20-33), he would enforce the terms of the covenant that called for the destruction of covenant-breakers (see 24:7-8 k and study notes).
Summary for Exod 33:4-6: 33:4-6 l The jewelry and fine clothes might have been worn while worshiping the gold calf. Here their removal signifies mourning (33:4 m) and repentance.
Summary for Exod 33:7-11: 33:7-11 n The means of communication between God and his people before the completion of the Tabernacle are probably recorded here to explain the communications in 33:1-6 o and 33:12-23 p. 33:7 q Although the Tabernacle is often referred to as the Tent of Meeting (see study note on 27:21), the “Tent of Meeting” referred to here was another, temporary tent. When the Tabernacle was completed, it was located in the center of the camp (see Num 2:1-31 r).
Summary for Exod 33:8-11: 33:8-11 s get up and stand ... stand and bow down: The people were awed by the thought that Moses was talking directly to God, face to face (33:11 t).
33:11 u Just as Joshua had previously gained experience as a military leader (see 17:9-13 v), he was now gaining experience as a spiritual leader (see also 24:13 w). Here he may have remained behind to guard the tent, a function the Levites would later fulfill with the Tabernacle (1 Chr 26 x).
Summary for Exod 33:12-23: 33:12-23 y Moses begged for God to go with him and the people to the Promised Land. In these verses the word personally (33:14-15 z) usually reflects a Hebrew term literally rendered face. Moses wanted to continue experiencing the “face to face” relationship he had begun to have (33:11 aa). He also wanted the people to have that experience in some sense. 33:12 ab I know you by name: Moses had been appointed by God himself.
33:13 ac let me know your ways: Moses did not merely want God’s blessings; he wanted to know God’s nature and character, as well as the manner of and reasons for his actions. God’s goal of revealing himself was beginning to be realized, at least in one person.
• Moses wanted God himself to accompany them, because they were the Lord’s own people.
33:14 ad I will give you rest: Literally a place to roost, as in a place where a bird can land and be at peace. Ever since Abraham left Ur, he and his descendants had had no such place.
Summary for Exod 33:15-16: 33:15-16 ae Moses made his request even more direct. Again he showed his understanding of what God was doing. The Exodus was not merely about getting the Israelites out of Egypt so they could go to Canaan. It was about a personal experience of God that would change how they lived. If that was not possible, then they might just as well have stayed at Sinai. Going on to Canaan would be disastrous without the Lord.
33:17 af The Lord reaffirmed his agreement to go with them and his personal appointment of Moses.
33:18 ag Moses asked for confirmation of God’s promises. He asked to see God’s glorious presence (literally glory). He was asking for an experience of seeing the very essence of God (see study note on 16:7).
33:19 ah In his positive reply, God subtly changed the terms. He would grant Moses a glorious experience, but he would not show Moses his face. Rather, he would show him his goodness and express his character (my name), marked above all by mercy and compassion (see Rom 9:14-16 ai).
• Yahweh: Here God is emphasizing his own personal name.
Summary for Exod 33:20-23: 33:20-23 aj God longs to show us his character, but to see his face (his essence) and his glorious presence (33:22 ak) would be to die. Moses was permitted a glimpse of that, but nothing more.
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