Chapter XXXIII
Ver. 1-23. The Lokd Refuseth to Go with the PE0P1.E. 1. tlie Lord said—rather "had" said unto Moses. The conference detailed in this chapter wiust be considered as having occurred prior to the pathetic intercession of Moses, recorded at the close of the preceding chapter; and tlie historian, having mentioned tlie fact of his earnest and painful anxiety, under the overwhelming pressure of which he poured forth that intercessory prayer for his apostate countrymen, now enters on a detailed account of the circumstances. 3. I will not go up . . . lest I consume thee—Here the Lord is represented as determined to do what he afterwards did not. (See on ch.
32. 10). 4-. when the people Iieard these evil tidings from Moses on his descent from the mount. 5. put off thy ornaments—In seasons of mourning, it is customary with Eastern people to lay aside all gewgaws, and divest themselves of their jewels, their gold, and every thing rich and splendid in their dress. This token of their sorrow the Lord required of His offending people, that I may know wliat to do unto thee—The language is accommodated to the feeble apprehensions of men. God judges the state of the heart by the tenor of the conduct. In the case of the Israelites, He cherished a design of mercy; and the moment he discerned the first symptoms of contrition, by their stripping otT their ornaments, as penitents conscious of their error, and sincerely sorrow-
ful, this fact added its weight to the fervency of Moses' prayers, and gave them prevalence with God in behalf of the people. 7. Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched
it without the camp—Not the tabernacle, of which a pattern had been given him, for it was not yet erected, but his o\Vn tent—conspicuous as that of the leader—in a part of which he heard causes, and communed with God about
• bo people's interests ; hence called "the tabernacle of the ...ijngregation," and the withdrawal o£ which, in abhorrence from a polluted camp, was regarde<l as the first step In tlie total abandonment with which God had threatened them. 8. all the people rose up, and stootl every man at his tent floor—Its removal produced deep and universal consternation; and it is easy to conceive how anxiously all eyes wouUl be directed towards It; how rajiidly tlie happy intelligence would spread, when a phenomenon was witnessed from which an encouraging hope could be founded. 9-11. the cloutly pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle—How would
self to Moses, in the glory of His self-existent and eternal majesty, as " I am ;" now He makes himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness,—attributes that were to be illustriously displayed in the future history and experience of the church. Being about to republish His law, —the sin of the Israelites being forgiven, and the deed of pardon about to be signed and scaled, by renewing tho terms of the former covenant,—it was the most fitting time to proclaim the extent of the Divine mercy which was to be displayed, not in the ease of Israel only, but of
all who offend. 8-aO. Moses bowed . . . and worslilpped —In the East, people bow the head to royalty, and are silent when it passes by, while In the West, they take otr their hats and shout. 9. he said. If now I have found grace In thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I prny thee, go among us—On this proclamation, he, in tho overflowing benevolence of his heart, founded an earnest petition
Mie downcast hearts of the people revive—how would the tide of joy swell in every bosom, when the symbolic cloud was seen slowly and majestically to descend, and stand at the entrance of the tabernacle ! as Moses entered—It was when he appeared as their mediator—when he repaired from day today to intercede for them, that welcome token of assurance was given th.at his advocacy prevailed, that Israel's sin was forgiven, and that God would again bo praclous. lS-23. I beseech thee, show me thy glory
for the Divine presence being continued with the people
and God was pleased to give Ills favourable answer to his Intercession by a renewal of His promise under the form of a covenant, repeating the leading points that formed the conditions of the former national compact. a7,!48. the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these wowls—j. e., the ceremonial and Judicial iivjunctions comprehended above (r. 11-26); while the re-writing of the ten commandment*! on the newly-prepared slalis was done by God him-
Tills is one of the most mysterious scenes described in the
I'.lble: he had, for his comfort and encouragement, a KpUmdid and full display of the Divine majesty, not in Its nnveiied efTulgence, but as far as the weakness of liumanlty wouhl admit. The face, hand, back parts, are to
D'i understood figuratively.
self (cf. Deuteronomy 10. 1-1). lie was there with thfl Lord forty days and forty nights—As long as formcrl.v, being sustained for the execution of his special duties by the miraculous power of God. A special cause Is assigned
CHAPTER XXXIV,
Ver. l-Xy. The Tatu.es ark Reneweb. 1. the Lord snld unto Moses, Ilew thee two tables of stone like unto the first—(Jod having been reconciled to repentant Israel, through tl>e earnest Intercession, the su(^<'eRsful mediation of Moses, means were to lie taken for the restoration of the broken covenant. Intimation was given, bowevcr. In a most intelligible and expreiislve Rianner,
for his protracted fast on this second occasion (Deuteronomy !). IH). ^9. Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone when he talked with him— It was an Intlmntlon of the exalted presence Into which he had been admitted and of the glory he had witnessed (2 Corinthians 3. 18,) and In that view, it was a badge of his ii^h
OimtrilnUions to, Ihe Tahemaxh. EXODUS XXXV, XXXVl. Offering* Delirered lo the Workmen.
office as the ambassador of God. No testimonial needed
minded the people that the Individuals entrusted with the application of their gold and silver had l)een nominated to the work by authority to wliicli all would l)OW. 35. Them liath he ftlled with wisflom of lieart—
to be produced. Hi' bore his credentials on his very face
ftud whether this extraordinary effulgence was a permaDent or merely temporary distinction, it cannot be doubted that this retlected glory was given him as an honour before all the pet>ple. 30. they were afraid to come uigh him—their fear arose from a sense of guilt,—
statement which not only testifies that skill in art and science is a direct gift from God, l)at tliat weaving was especially the business of men in Egypt (see ch.lW. "22; 39.
the beaming radiance of his countenance made him appear to their awe-struck consciences a flaming minister
22, 27), and in perfect harmony with the testimony of the monuments is the account given by Moses to the artists wlio were divinely taught the arts necessary for the embellishment of the tabernacle. Others, whose limited means did not admit of these expensive contributions, ottered their gratuitous services in fiiljricating such articles of tapestry as wei-e needed; arts wiiich the Israelitish females learned as bonds-women, in the houses of Egyptian princes.
of heaven. 3.1. he p«t a veil upon hU face—That veil was with the greatest propriety removed when speaking with the Lord, for every one appears unveiled lo the eye of Omniscience; but it was removed On returning to the people, —and tliis was emblematic of the dark and shadowy character of that dispensation (2 Corinthians 3.
13, 14). CHAPTER XXXV.