Exodus 33

Exodus 33 occurs amidst significant transitions for Israel. After the grievous sin of idolatry with the golden calf, Moses intercedes for the people, and God reassesses His presence among them. This chapter emphasizes Moses' unique relationship with God, detailing conversations that clarify the nature of God's presence with Israel and Moses' role as an intermediary. It also sets the stage for the renewal of the covenant, highlighting themes of presence, forgiveness, and the need for divine guidance.

Exodus 33:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’
2 And I will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”

God instructs Moses to continue leading the people towards the Promised Land, affirming the original promise to the patriarchs. However, there is a significant shift—God will not travel directly among them as previously planned, to avoid destroying them due to their obstinacy and recent sins. Instead, He promises to send an Angel to guide and clear the way, ensuring their arrival but indicating a more distant divine presence, highlighting the consequences of their betrayal.

Exodus 33:4-6 (NKJV)
4 And when the people heard this bad news, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments.
5 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the children of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I come up into your midst for one moment, I would consume you. Now therefore, take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do to you.’”
6 So the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by Mount Horeb.

The response of the Israelites to the news of God's withdrawal reflects their sorrow and repentance; they remove their ornaments as a sign of mourning and penitence. This act, encouraged by God, serves both as a symbol of their acknowledgement of sin and as a form of punishment. It's a tangible way for the people to demonstrate remorse and the seriousness with which they regard God's altered stance toward them.

Exodus 33:7-11 (NKJV)
7 Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting, which was outside the camp.
8 So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle.
9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.
10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door.
11 Thus the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Moses establishes a new center for divine communication, the "Tabernacle of Meeting," located outside the main camp, symbolizing both the need for sanctity and the separation due to the people’s sin. The presence of the cloud and the direct communication between God and Moses are emphasized, signifying God's continued guidance despite the change in His relationship with the broader group. The people's reaction—standing and worshiping from their tent doors—reflects reverence and ongoing commitment to worship, even in a time of divine displeasure. Joshua's continual presence at the tabernacle hints at his future leadership role.

Exodus 33:12-17 (NKJV)
12 Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’
13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”
14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”
17 So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”

In this passage, Moses seeks assurance from God regarding the continuation of Israel's journey after their rebellion with the golden calf. Initially, God had said He would not go with the people personally but would send an angel to lead them (Exodus 33:3). Moses, desiring God's direct involvement, pleads for a clearer commitment from God about who would accompany them.

Moses’ Request for Guidance (verses 12-13): Moses highlights that while God commanded him to lead Israel, He hadn’t clarified who would accompany them. Moses appeals to his personal relationship with God, pointing out that God has said, “I know you by name,” and asks God to show him His ways so that he can continue to find favor with Him. Moses also reminds God that Israel is His people, not just Moses’ responsibility.

God’s Initial Assurance (verse 14): In response to Moses’ request, God says, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” However, it’s important to note that in this verse, God is specifically addressing Moses alone. The singular “you” indicates that the promise of God's presence and rest is given only to Moses at this point, not yet to the entire nation of Israel.

Moses’ Plea for the People (verses 15-16): Despite God’s promise to be with him personally, Moses is not satisfied unless God’s presence is extended to all of Israel. He pleads further, stating that if God's presence does not go with them (all of Israel), they should not move forward. Moses argues that it is God’s presence with the entire nation that distinguishes them as His people and sets them apart from all other nations on earth.

God Grants Moses’ Request (verse 17): God agrees to Moses’ broader request, saying, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken.” This indicates that God not only promises to be with Moses but also extends His presence to the entire nation of Israel. The reason God grants this request is that Moses has found grace (favor) in His sight, and God knows Moses personally by name.

Exodus 33:18-23 (NKJV)
18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”
19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”
21 And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock.
22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.
23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

In this passage, Moses asks to see God’s glory, and God responds by revealing as much of Himself as Moses can safely bear.

Moses’ Request for God’s Glory (verse 18): Moses boldly asks God to reveal His glory, seeking a deeper understanding of God’s essence and character. This request goes beyond a desire for a physical manifestation—it reflects a longing for a fuller revelation of who God is in His nature.

God’s Response (verse 19): God grants Moses’ request, but with limitations. Instead of showing Moses His full glory, God says He will allow His goodness to pass before him and will proclaim His name, “the Lord.” This demonstrates that God’s glory is deeply connected to His character—His goodness, mercy, and compassion. God also emphasizes His sovereign freedom in showing grace and compassion, revealing that He acts according to His own will and character, not based on human merit.

The Limitation on Seeing God’s Face (verse 20): God’s holiness and glory were overwhelming, both physically and spiritually. During Moses’ time, people had not yet been born again in Christ, and thus could not endure the full revelation of God’s character. Encountering God's complete holiness would have exposed their sinful nature, leading to overwhelming guilt and spiritual separation, symbolizing death. Their unregenerated hearts couldn’t live according to God’s perfect standard. Through Christ, however, believers are reconciled to God, allowing them to experience His presence without condemnation, as they are transformed and covered by Christ’s righteousness.

The Plan to Reveal His Glory (verses 21-22): God provides a way for Moses to witness a partial manifestation of His glory. He instructs Moses to stand on a rock, and as God’s glory passes by, He will place Moses in the cleft of the rock, covering him with His hand to protect him from the full impact of His presence. This protective act shows God’s care and understanding of human limitations while still responding to Moses’ desire.

Seeing God’s "Back" (verse 23): After God’s glory passes by, He will remove His hand, allowing Moses to see His “back.” This signifies a limited view of God’s glory—Moses will see only the aftereffects or a lesser part of God’s glory, but not His full, direct presence ("face"). The term “back” doesn’t refer to a literal physical form but symbolizes that Moses could only perceive a portion of God's greatness.

In many ways, Moses represents the Law and the Old Testament covenant. When God allows Moses to see only His "back" and not His face, it symbolizes the limited revelation of God that comes through the Law and the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, God’s character is revealed through the Law, the prophets, various theophanies, and judgments, but not in its full, ultimate revelation. The Law gives us a shadow of God’s righteousness, holiness, and justice, but it doesn’t provide the complete revelation of His grace and truth. As 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This verse indicates that the fullest revelation of God's glory is found in Jesus, in contrast to the more veiled, partial revelations of the Old Testament.

Similarly, in John 14:9, Jesus tells Philip, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father,” showing that in Christ, people see God’s character and nature clearly and fully. Jesus is the complete and ultimate revelation of God, where grace and truth are fully revealed (John 1:17).

In contrast, Moses could only see God's "back," which may symbolize that, under the Old Covenant, the Law provided only a partial view of God's character and plan. The Law primarily pointed to something greater—the need for a Savior and the fullness of God’s grace, which is revealed in Christ. This interpretation also highlights the distinction between the Old and New Covenants: the Law reveals sin and the need for salvation, while Christ, in the New Testament, fulfills the Law and reveals God’s redemptive plan.

Moreover, in the Old Testament, while there are commands to love one’s neighbor and show kindness, the concept of loving one's enemies is not as explicitly emphasized as it is in Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament. The Old Testament often focuses on justice and the protection of Israel from its enemies, with many passages involving warfare and judgment on nations that opposed God’s people. However, the full revelation of God’s grace, mercy, and love for all people—including enemies—is more clearly revealed through Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament Perspective:
In the Old Testament, God’s people were often called to separate themselves from surrounding nations due to idolatry and wickedness. There are instances of judgment against Israel’s enemies, such as in the conquest of Canaan, where God commanded the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants due to their moral corruption (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). This led to a nationalistic focus, where the enemies of Israel were often seen as enemies of God. Justice, retribution, and even destruction of enemies were more prominent themes.

That said, there are still glimpses of mercy and love that point toward the fuller revelation of loving one’s enemies:

Proverbs 25:21-22 says, "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." This reflects an early acknowledgment of showing kindness to enemies, though it is not the prevailing theme.

God’s call to Israel included being a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3), yet the love toward enemies is not emphasized as a central theme in the Old Testament.

Jesus’ Radical Teaching:
Jesus came to fully reveal God’s character, particularly in how God’s love extends not only to the righteous but also to sinners, and not just to friends but to enemies. This marked a radical shift in understanding, showing that the heart of God is one of unconditional love and mercy, even toward those who oppose Him.

In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus teaches: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
This teaching turns the conventional wisdom of His time on its head. Instead of focusing on justice and retribution, Jesus calls His followers to extend love to their enemies. Here’s how Jesus’ teachings on loving enemies reveal God’s character more fully:

Reflecting God’s Perfect Love: Jesus’ command to love enemies reflects the heart of God, who extends grace and mercy to all, even to those who oppose or reject Him. Jesus points out that God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). This demonstrates that God’s love is not conditional or partial; He blesses both the righteous and the wicked. By loving enemies, believers reflect the nature of God, who shows compassion to all people.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation: In the Old Testament, while justice and judgment were prominent, Jesus came to reveal that God's ultimate plan is one of forgiveness and reconciliation. Loving one’s enemies involves forgiving those who wrong us and seeking peace, just as God forgives us despite our sins. Jesus embodied this teaching by forgiving even those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This act of love and forgiveness is the ultimate example of loving enemies.

A New Standard of Righteousness: Jesus calls His followers to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20), and loving enemies is part of this higher standard. The Old Testament law emphasized “an eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24), which was intended to limit retaliation, but Jesus introduces a new command—to love, forgive, and bless rather than seek retribution. This teaching challenges the natural human tendency toward vengeance and instead promotes the self-sacrificial love of God.

Manifesting God’s Name: In John 17:6, Jesus says, “I have manifested Your name.” In biblical terms, to manifest God's name is to reveal His character and essence. Jesus fully revealed who God is—especially in His teachings and actions of love toward all, including enemies. This contrasts with the Old Testament, where God’s character was often revealed in part, through His justice and holiness, but not as clearly in terms of unconditional love for enemies. Jesus, by manifesting God's name, shows that God’s nature includes mercy, grace, and love for all people.

The Contrast with the Old Testament:
The Old Testament does contain hints of God’s love for all people, but it is primarily focused on the covenant relationship between God and Israel. In this context, enemies were often viewed as threats to the purity and survival of God’s chosen people. Judgment against enemies was sometimes necessary to protect the covenant community and to carry out God's plan.

However, in Jesus, the revelation of God’s character expands to show that even enemies are to be loved. The message of the New Testament is one of reconciliation, not only between people and God but also between people themselves, regardless of enmity or hostility. Jesus calls His followers to love as God loves, demonstrating the radical nature of divine love.

The Fulfillment of God’s Character in Jesus:
Jesus’ teaching and example fulfill and expand the understanding of God’s character. The Old Testament showed God’s justice and righteousness, setting the foundation for holiness and moral order. The New Testament, through Jesus, reveals that God’s justice is ultimately satisfied in Christ, and His love is extended even to those who oppose Him. This love is exemplified in Jesus’ command to love our enemies, showing that God’s love transcends human boundaries and enmity.

In conclusion, while the Old Testament reveals aspects of God’s justice, holiness, and covenant faithfulness, it is in Jesus Christ that we see the full revelation of God’s character—particularly His love for all people, including enemies. Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies reflects the heart of God, who desires reconciliation and peace, extending grace even to those who are against Him. This revelation transforms the understanding of God’s character from partial to complete, fully revealed in the person and work of Christ.