The Lord Commands Israel to Leave Mt Sinai
February 2, 2022
Commentary
God tells Moses that he and his people were led out of Egypt and they now need to move out of Mt Sinai and go toward the promised land (v. 1). He promised to send an angel with them and defeat their enemies but said He would not go with them (vv. 2-3). Because of their sin of making and worshiping the golden calf, he was inclined to destroy them but because of Moses’ prayer He would spare them.
In contrast to the strained relationship between Israel and the Lord (vv. 4-5), Moses experienced a great relationship with Him. He told Moses to tell the people to take off their fancy jewelry during this time and they started mourning. Soon they stopped wearing fancy jewelry (v. 6). Moses erected a tent outside the camp (v.7). The fact it was erected outside the camp was a constant reminder to the people that because of their sin God was outside their community. This was really a call to separation. Each time he went out to the tent, the other people would stand outside their tents and watch him enter (v. 8).
This tent was not the tabernacle, but Moses own personal dwelling where God met with him and he with God. The larger, more permanent tabernacle of the congregation was not finished and set up until almost seven months later (Ex. 40:2). The people would bow down as a thick cloud would come down in front of the tent as the Lord would speak to Moses (vv. 9-10). Afterward, Moses would return to the camp but Joshua, his assistant, would stay there (v. 11).
Application
I want to be careful to not separate from other Christians over petty things when I am told that I should be “Forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). The chief reason for separation is idolatry.
Exodus 33:1– 11 (NET)
1 The Lord said to Moses, “Go up from here, you and the people whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, and I might destroy you on the way.”
4 When the people heard this troubling word they mourned; no one put on his ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I went up among you for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments that I may know what I should do to you.’” 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments by Mount Horeb.
7 Moses took the tent and pitched it outside the camp, at a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. Anyone seeking the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp.
8 And when Moses went out to the tent, all the people would get up and stand at the entrance to their tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. 9 And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 When all the people would see the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people, each one at the entrance of his own tent, would rise and worship. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent.