_THE LORD REFUSETH TO GO WITH THE PEOPLE: MOSES PITCHETH THE TABERNACLE WITHOUT THE CAMP: THE LORD DESCENDS IN A CLOUD, AND SPEAKS WITH MOSES: MOSES DESIRES TO SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD._ _Before Christ 1491._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, &C.— One would imagine, that this was a repetition of what is said in the 34th verse of the last chapter; to which is added (Exodus 33:4.) a detail of the consequences which the declaration of God (Exodus 33:1.) had upon the people. In this view it should be rendered, _... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NO MAN DID PUT ON HIM HIS ORNAMENTS— The ornaments of dress have always been esteemed marks of cheerfulness and festivity. The laying aside these, and putting on sackcloth or other melancholy robes, has always been usual in times of trouble and sorrow, especially in the East; see Isaiah 32:11.Ne... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES TOOK THE TABERNACLE— Hence it appears plainly, as we have had occasion frequently to observe before; that there was _a tabernacle_ among the Israelites, before that which was formed and reared by the immediate order of God. We must not, however, dissemble, that some take this to be only th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD TALKED WITH MOSES— Houbigant, observing that there is nothing for _the Lord_ in the Hebrew, renders the last clause of this verse, _and the pillar stood at the door of the tabernacle, behind Moses._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES FACE TO FACE, &C.— i.e. Not by visions, dreams, or any obscure and awful resemblances; but by a distinct voice, in a conspicuous, familiar, friendly, and condescending manner. See Deuteronomy 34:10 and compare Exodus 33:20 of this chapter. _His servant Joshua—a young man,_... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE LORD— Moses having received, as we may suppose, sufficient proofs of the contrition of the people for their abominable idolatry, now returns to the tabernacle, and renews his intercession for them with the Lord. He had so far prevailed already, as to gain a promise that the L... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, MY PRESENCE, &C.— Condescending to the intercession of Moses, the Lord promises that his _presence,_ as usual, _shall go with him,_ and _give_ [Israel] that _rest_ in the promised land which they sought. Le Clerc renders this verse, _if my presence shall go with thee, wilt thou be at re... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, I WILL DO THIS THING ALSO— Though we cannot suppose that prayer can make the Deity more compassionate, or produce a change in his sentiments; yet, as he has been pleased to suspend the grant of his favours on the condition of prayer; we have the strongest reason and the bes... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAID, I BESEECH THEE, SHEW ME THY GLORY, &C.— Moses, having obtained from the Lord a merciful remission of the dread penalties denounced upon the Israelites, proceeds now to request a confirmation of his grace by a sight of his _glory._ Again, condescending to his petition, the Lord promises to m... [ Continue Reading ]