God Commands Israel to Leave Mt Sinai
February 2, 2022
Commentary
The LORD told Moses to lead the Israelites from Mount Sinai toward the promised land, the land He had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (v. 1). He said He would send an angel before them to drive out their enemies and give them victory, but He Himself would not go with them because of their sin (vv. 2–3). The LORD warned that if He went with them, He might destroy them because of their stubbornness. Yet, because of Moses’ prayer and intercession, He chose to spare them and remain faithful to His covenant promise.
When the people heard these words, they were deeply grieved and re-moved their jewelry as a sign of repentance (vv. 4–6). Their ornaments, once symbols of pride and wealth, had to be set aside while they mourned their sin. The LORD commanded them to show humility and obedience, not outward display. Meanwhile, Moses set up a special tent outside the camp where he would meet with the LORD (v. 7). This location outside the camp reminded everyone that their sin had broken fellowship with God and that holiness required separation and repentance. Each time Moses went to the tent, the peo-ple stood and watched until he entered (v. 8).
This tent was not the Tabernacle but Moses’ personal meeting place with the LORD. The larger Tabernacle would not be completed until months later (EXO 40:2). As Moses entered, the pillar of cloud descended, showing the visible presence of the LORD speaking with him face-to-face as a man speaks with his friend (vv. 9–10). Afterward, Moses returned to the camp to lead the people, but Joshua remained near the tent, staying close to the presence of the LORD (v. 11).
Application
When I sin, do I realize how it separates me from the LORD’s presence? Like the Israelites, do I mourn over my sin and humbly return to Him? Moses met with the LORD as a friend because he sought Him daily. How can I make time each day to meet with God, listen to His voice, and restore my fellowship with Him?
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.
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