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Exodus 33

World English Bible

WEB

1Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people that you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ 2I will send an angel before you; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 3Go to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.” 4When the people heard this evil news, they mourned; and no one put on his jewelry. 5Yahweh had said to Moses, “Tell the children of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go up among you for one moment, I would consume you. Therefore now take off your jewelry from you, that I may know what to do to you.’” 6The children of Israel stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward. 7Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far away from the camp, and he called it “The Tent of Meeting.” Everyone who sought Yahweh went out to the Tent of Meeting, which was outside the camp. 8When Moses went out to the Tent, all the people rose up, and stood, everyone at their tent door, and watched Moses, until he had gone into the Tent. 9When Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and Yahweh spoke with Moses. 10All the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Tent, and all the people rose up and worshiped, everyone at their tent door. 11Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn’t depart from the Tent. 12Moses said to Yahweh, “Behold, you tell me, ‘Bring up this people;’ and you haven’t let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your way, now, that I may know you, so that I may find favor in your sight; and consider that this nation is your people.” 14He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15Moses said to him, “If your presence doesn’t go with me, don’t carry us up from here. 16For how would people know that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Isn’t it that you go with us, so that we are separated, I and your people, from all the people who are on the surface of the earth?” 17Yahweh said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim Yahweh’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” 20He said, “You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live.” 21Yahweh also said, “Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22It will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Exodus Chapter 33 presents a pivotal moment in the journey of the Israelites as they navigate their relationship with God following the sin of the golden calf. After this grievous act, God tells Moses that He will not go with the people to the Promised Land, lest He consume them in His anger due to their stubbornness. Instead, He instructs Moses to lead the people to a land flowing with milk and honey, but His presence will not accompany them. This decision underscores the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, reminding us that His presence is a gift that should not be taken lightly. The chapter emphasizes the importance of God’s presence in our lives, as Moses pleads with God, saying, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” (#Moses, #God'sPresence).

Moses then seeks a deeper understanding of God, asking to see His glory. God responds by revealing His goodness and proclaiming His name, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (#God'sGlory). This revelation highlights God's character and His desire to be in relationship with His people. God allows Moses to see His back but not His face, illustrating the concept that while we can experience God’s presence, His full glory remains beyond human comprehension. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of God’s presence in our lives and the importance of seeking Him earnestly.

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Referenced by

  1. Genesis 32:30v20Genesis 32:30 highlights Jacob's realization of having seen God face to face. This is contrasted with Exodus 33:20, where God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live, emphasizing the unique nature of Jacob's encounter.
  2. Deuteronomy 34:10v11Deuteronomy 34:10 states that no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Exodus 33:11 describes the unique relationship Moses had with God, speaking to Him as a friend, highlighting Moses' unparalleled prophetic role.
  3. Joshua 21:44v14Joshua 21:44 highlights that the LORD gave Israel rest on every side, as He had sworn to their ancestors. This is connected to Exodus 33:14, where God promises His presence will go with them and give them rest.
  4. Judges 13:22v20Judges 13:22 reflects Manoah's fear of death after seeing God, echoing Exodus 33:20 where God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live. This underscores the holiness and awe-inspiring nature of God's presence.
  5. 1 Kings 19:11-12v21In 1 Kings 19:11-12, God reveals Himself to Elijah not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. Similarly, in Exodus 33:21-23, God reveals His presence to Moses in a subtle manner, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the intimacy of His communication.
  6. Psalms 99:7v9Psalm 99:7 refers to God speaking to His people from the pillar of cloud, which is seen in Exodus 33:9-11 where God speaks to Moses face to face from the cloud.
  7. Romans 9:15v19Romans 9:15 cites Exodus 33:19, where God declares His right to show mercy and compassion to whom He chooses, underscoring His sovereign will.

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