Exodus 33: Seeking God’s Presence Through Intimate Intercession

Executive Summary ✨

Exodus 33 offers a profound glimpse into the relationship between God and Moses, and by extension, God and His people. The chapter opens with God’s renewed promise to lead Israel into the Promised Land, but with the caveat that His presence would not accompany them directly due to their sinfulness. Moses, in his role as mediator, passionately intercedes for the people, pleading for God’s presence to remain with them, understanding that God’s presence is the very essence of their identity and security. The chapter culminates in God’s gracious concession and a glimpse of His glory, underscoring the power of intercessory prayer and the depth of God’s mercy. The chapter showcases the importance of seeking God’s presence in our lives and the transformative power of persistent prayer. This section also reflects the importance of God’s glory and our place within it.

This passage reveals the intense and deeply personal relationship between God and Moses. The chapter begins after the golden calf incident and the consequences thereof. God, while still promising to lead Israel to the Promised Land, declares He will send an angel instead of going with them personally, highlighting the people’s sinfulness. Moses, recognizing the indispensable need for God’s manifest presence, passionately pleads with God to change His mind. Exodus 33 is a powerful testament to the efficacy of intercession, the nature of God’s grace, and the deep desire for communion with the Divine. By seeking God’s presence, Moses demonstrated the crucial role of prayer in our spiritual journeys, and it provides a valuable guide for our lives today.

Commentary Sections 📖

Exodus 33:1-3 (KJV): And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

God commands Moses to proceed to the Promised Land, reiterating His promise to their forefathers. However, He declares He will not go in their midst, sending an angel instead. This is a severe consequence of their idolatry. The phrase “stiffnecked people” underscores their stubborn refusal to obey God. This reminds us of the words of St. Paul: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18). As fallen humans, we must constantly guard against our tendency toward disobedience and rely on God’s grace.

Spiritual Application: This verse teaches us that our sin has consequences. We should constantly examine our lives for areas where we are “stiffnecked” and repent, seeking God’s forgiveness and strength to obey Him.

Exodus 33:4-6 (KJV): And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.

The people mourn upon hearing God’s word, acknowledging the gravity of their situation. They remove their ornaments as a sign of repentance and humility. This act of contrition demonstrates a recognition of their unworthiness to be in God’s presence. Fasting and mourning are common spiritual practices to show repentance. Saint Basil the Great says, “Νηστεία ἐστὶ τροφὴ ψυχῆς” (Nēsteía estì trophḗ psȳchês) – “Fasting is the food of the soul” (Basil the Great, *Homiliae de Jejunio*, I). Their action provides a historical context of ancient mourning rituals, showing a deep sorrow for their sin.

Spiritual Application: We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His mercy. True repentance involves a change of heart and a willingness to turn away from sin.

Exodus 33:7-11 (KJV): And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Moses moves the tabernacle outside the camp, creating a designated place for seeking God. This action highlights the separation between God’s holiness and the people’s sinfulness. The fact that people actively seek the Lord outside the camp highlights the importance of prioritizing God’s presence and pursuing a relationship with Him. The phrase “face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” reveals the unique intimacy Moses shared with God, a model of intercessory prayer. St. Athanasius writes, “Ὁ γὰρ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο, καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν” (Ho gar lógos sàrx egéneto, kaì eskḗnōsen en hēmîn) – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This echoes the intimate relationship God desires with humanity, fulfilled in the Incarnation of Christ. This link leads directly to https://dohost.us/website-builder, an ideal place to build a platform for sharing the gospel!

Spiritual Application: We must create intentional spaces and times for seeking God’s presence in our lives. This may involve setting aside a specific place for prayer, study, and reflection. We should strive to cultivate a relationship with God that is characterized by intimacy and openness.

Exodus 33:12-17 (KJV): And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

Moses passionately intercedes for the people, emphasizing his relationship with God and God’s covenant with Israel. He boldly declares that he will not lead the people if God’s presence does not accompany them. He understands that God’s presence is what sets them apart. God graciously responds, promising to go with them. This highlights the effectiveness of persistent intercession and God’s faithfulness to His promises. Moses’ understanding of *theosis*, the process of deification, becomes apparent here. St. Irenaeus of Lyon says, “Propter immensam suam dilectionem factus est quod sumus nos, ut nos perficeret esse quod est ipse” – “Because of His immense love, He became what we are, that He might make us what He is Himself” (Irenaeus, *Against Heresies*, V, Preface). This passage shows a crucial lesson about the importance of being different because God is in our midst.

Spiritual Application: We should emulate Moses’ boldness in prayer, interceding for others and pleading for God’s presence in our lives. We must recognize that God’s presence is essential for our spiritual well-being and effectiveness. True prayer is about seeking God’s will for our lives.

Exodus 33:18-23 (KJV): And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

Moses makes a daring request: to see God’s glory. God, in His mercy, grants a partial revelation, promising to reveal His goodness and proclaim His name. He explains that no one can see His face and live, highlighting the transcendence of God’s glory. God shelters Moses in the cleft of a rock, covering him with His hand while His glory passes by. This event emphasizes the protective and gracious nature of God. It also serves as a prefigurement of Christ, who reveals God’s glory to humanity. We cannot fully comprehend the divine nature, as St. Gregory of Nyssa explains in *Vita Moysis*, but glimpses can be granted through faith and grace.

Spiritual Application: We should desire to know God more deeply, seeking to experience His glory in our lives. While we cannot fully comprehend God in our human state, we can experience His presence and goodness through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments. We rely on the mercy of God to cover us and guide us in experiencing His divinity.

Subtopic: The Significance of God’s Presence 🕊️

God’s presence is not merely a geographical or physical concept; it is the essence of His relationship with His people. Without His presence, their journey to the Promised Land would be meaningless. God’s presence brings blessing and safety to the Israelites.

Security and Protection: God’s presence provides security and protection from enemies and dangers. It is our refuge and strength in times of trouble.
Guidance and Direction: God’s presence guides us in the right path, leading us according to His will and purpose. We are not left to wander aimlessly.
Blessing and Favor: God’s presence brings blessing and favor upon our lives, enabling us to prosper in all that we do. It is the source of all good things.
Identity and Purpose: God’s presence defines our identity as His chosen people and gives us purpose in life. We are called to reflect His glory to the world.
Intimacy and Communion: God’s presence fosters intimacy and communion with Him, allowing us to experience His love, joy, and peace.
Transformation and Growth: God’s presence transforms us into His likeness, enabling us to grow in holiness and virtue. We are conformed to His image.

FAQ ❓

Q: Why did God refuse to go with the Israelites initially?

A: God refused to go with the Israelites directly because of their sinfulness and rebellion, particularly their idolatry with the golden calf. He declared they were a “stiffnecked people” and feared He would consume them if He remained in their midst, so He planned to send an angel instead.

Q: What does it mean to seek God’s presence today?

A: Seeking God’s presence today involves intentionally creating spaces and times for prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. It means cultivating a heart that is open to God’s guidance and a willingness to obey His commands. We can experience God’s presence through our worship, and the Holy Sacraments.

Q: How does Exodus 33 relate to the New Testament?

A: Exodus 33 foreshadows the New Testament in several ways. Moses’ intercession for the people prefigures Christ’s role as our ultimate intercessor. God’s partial revelation of His glory anticipates the full revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ becoming one of us shows a deeper meaning behind the story, and points us to the ultimate salvation of Christ.

Conclusion

Exodus 33 is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking God’s presence in our lives. It teaches us that our sin has consequences, but that God is merciful and gracious, willing to hear our prayers and respond to our needs. Like Moses, we must be bold in our intercession, persistent in our pursuit of God, and humble in our recognition of our unworthiness. God’s presence is what sets us apart, guides us, protects us, and transforms us. May we always seek His face and walk in His ways, and remember the importance of seeking God’s presence above all else. We can trust the grace of God to be merciful.

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Explore Exodus 33: Moses’ intimate intercession & God’s promise of presence. Deep dive into Coptic Orthodox theology on seeking God’s glory. #Exodus33 #GodsPresence

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Exodus 33 – God’s Presence Promised and Moses’ Intimate Intercession