The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THE THREAT OF GOD'S WITHDRAWAL, AND THE HUMILIATION OF THE PEOPLE. The intercession of Moses, and his offer to sacrifice himself for his people had obtained from God some great concessions, viz.—

1. That the people's lives should be spared (Exodus 32:14);

2. And that they should be led into Palestine (Exodus 32:34) But a change had been introduced into the conditions under which the future journeys were to be made, somewhat obscurely indicated in the words—"Behold, mine angel shall go before thee" (ibid.)—which was now to be more distinctly set forth. "God's angel" may mean his Presence in the Person of his Son—as it appears to mean in Exodus 23:20-23—or it may mean simply one of the created angelic host, which seems to be its sense in Exodus 32:34, and in Exodus 32:2 of this chapter. By Exodus 32:2 and Exodus 32:3 taken in combination it was rendered manifest, both to Moses and to the people (Exodus 32:4), that they were threatened with the loss of God's actual presence and personal protection during the remainder of their wanderings, and would have, instead of it, the mere guidance and help of an angel in the inferior sense of the word. This was felt to be "evil tidings" and the people consequently "mourned" and "stripped themselves of their ornaments" (Exodus 32:6). Real penitence at last entered their hearts, and led to self-abasement.

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Matthew Henry on Exodus 33:1-6Exodus 33:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThose whom God pardons, must be made to know what their sin deserved. “Let them go forward as they are;” this was very expressive of God's displeasure. Though he promises to make good his covenant with Abraham, in givin…The Israelites Reproved. (b. c. 1491.)Exodus 33:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE ISRAELITES REPROVED. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The message which God sent by Moses to the children of Israel, signifying the continuance of the displeasure against them, and the bad terms they yet stood upon with Go…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1Exodus 33:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Lord said unto Moses. In continuation of what he had said in Exodus 32:33, Exodus 32:34, but possibly at another time; and with the object of fully explaining what had been meant in Exodus 32:34. The land which I sw…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-6Exodus 33:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe hiding of God's face from man. When God hides away his face from his people, it may be— I. AS A JUDGMENT. It was as a judgment that God separated between himself and man after the Fall, and "drove man forth" from th…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-12Exodus 33:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryA nation in garb of penitence. On this section consider— I. THE CONDITIONED PROMISE (Exodus 33:1-4). God has consented to spare the nation. They are to set out forthwith on the journey to Canaan. But his presence is no…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-32Exodus 33:1-32 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe restoration to Divine favour completed. This is a chapter which, beginning very gloomily, ends very gloriously. In the beginning Jehovah seems as if bidding farewell to the people for whom he had done so much; but a…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 33:1-6Those whom God pardons, must be made to know what their sin deserved. “Let them go forward as they are;” this was very expressive of God's displeasure. Though he promises to make good his covenant with Abraham, in givin…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Israelites Reproved. (b. c. 1491.)THE ISRAELITES REPROVED. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The message which God sent by Moses to the children of Israel, signifying the continuance of the displeasure against them, and the bad terms they yet stood upon with Go…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-12A nation in garb of penitence. On this section consider— I. THE CONDITIONED PROMISE (Exodus 33:1-4). God has consented to spare the nation. They are to set out forthwith on the journey to Canaan. But his presence is no…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-32The restoration to Divine favour completed. This is a chapter which, beginning very gloomily, ends very gloriously. In the beginning Jehovah seems as if bidding farewell to the people for whom he had done so much; but a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1The Lord said unto Moses. In continuation of what he had said in Exodus 32:33, Exodus 32:34, but possibly at another time; and with the object of fully explaining what had been meant in Exodus 32:34. The land which I sw…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-6The hiding of God's face from man. When God hides away his face from his people, it may be— I. AS A JUDGMENT. It was as a judgment that God separated between himself and man after the Fall, and "drove man forth" from th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:1-11Mercy vailed in judgment. I. GOD'S SEPARATION FROM THE PEOPLE AND ITS EFFECTS. 1. The separation. 2. Its effects. (3) They were troubled by fear of judgment, for the Lord had said, "I will come up into the midst of thee…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 33:2I will send an angel before thee. Note the change from "my angel" (Exodus 32:34) to "an angel;" which, however, would still have been ambiguous, but for what follows in Exodus 33:3. The angel of God's presence is "an an…Joseph S. Exell and contributors