See Exodus 3:8. FOR I WILL NOT GO UP IN THE MIDST OF THEE - The covenant on which the original promise Exodus 23:20 was based had been broken by the people. Yahweh now therefore declared that though His Angel should go before Moses, He would withhold His own favoring presence. The nation should be p... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL COME UP ... - Better; If I were to go up for one moment in the midst of thee, I should consume thee. THAT I MAY KNOW ... - By that sign of their repentance Yahweh would decide in what way they were to be punished.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE MOUNT HOREB - From Mount Horeb onward. They ceased to wear their ornaments from the time they were at Mount Horeb.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE - The tent. The only word in the Old Testament which ought to be rendered “tabernacle” משׁכן _mı̂shkān_ does not occur once in this narrative Exodus 26:1. What is here meant is a tent appointed for this temporary purpose by Moses, possibly that in which he was accustomed to dwell. P... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE DOOR - The entrance of the tent. The people by their act of worship gave another proof of their penitence.... [ Continue Reading ]
FACE TO FACE - See Exodus 33:20 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY WAY - He desires not to be left in uncertainty, but to be assured, by Yahweh’s mode of proceeding, of the reality of the promises that had been made to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
REST - This was the common expression for the possession of the promised land. Deuteronomy 3:20; Joshua 1:13, Joshua 1:15; compare Hebrews 4:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU GOEST WITH US - It was this which alone distinguished (rather than “separated”) them from other nations, and which alone would render the land of promise a home to be desired. Compare 2 Samuel 7:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare Exodus 33:13. His petition for the nation, and his own claims as a mediator, are now granted to the full.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHEW ME THY GLORY - The faithful servant of Yahweh, now assured by the success of his mediation, yearns, with the proper tendency of a devout spirit, for a more intimate communion with his divine Master than he had yet enjoyed. He seeks for something surpassing all former revelations.... [ Continue Reading ]
But his request could not be granted in accordance with the conditions of human existence. The glory of the Almighty in its fulness is not to be revealed to the eye of man. Compare Judges 6:22; Isaiah 6:5. A further revelation of the divine goodness was however possible (see Exodus 33:6). It was vou... [ Continue Reading ]