Exodus 33 explained: Will God Still Go With Them?

God holds back (vv. 1-6)

God will still give the promised land and send an angel ahead, but he refuses to travel among a people so stubborn, like an ox that will not bend its neck to the yoke, because his nearness could destroy them. The people mourn and take off their jewelry, a common sign of grief, and fitting after they had given their earrings to make the calf.

The tent outside the camp (vv. 7-11)

Moses pitches a tent away from the camp where anyone could go to seek the LORD, and the cloud that signaled God's presence comes down at its door while the people watch and bow. Scholars are unsure whether this was Moses' own tent or an early stand-in for the later worship tent, and 'face to face' most likely means close, direct conversation rather than literally seeing God.

Moses pleads for God's presence (vv. 12-17)

Moses reminds God that these are God's own people and says there is no point going on without God, since his presence is what sets them apart. God agrees to go with them, because he knows Moses personally and is pleased with him.

A promise to see God's glory (vv. 18-23)

Moses asks to see God's full splendor, and God promises to let his goodness pass by and to announce his name, while making clear his mercy is his own free choice. Since no one can see God's face and live, God says he will shelter Moses in a crack in the rock and let him see only his back, which most read as picture language for a real but partial view that is actually given in the next chapter.

Key verse: Exodus 33:14

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether God truly changed his plan in response to Moses' pleading or whether the story describes an unchanging God in human terms.

Something to think about

When have you wanted someone's company more than anything they could give you?