Bible in 365 Days

Exodus 33-35

Exodus 33

The command to go forward and possess the land was now repeated to the people. It is clear that the people felt that the promise of an angel to be sent before them was the lowering of a privilege. They spoke of it as "evil tidings," and gave expression to their feeling in that they "stripped themselves of their ornaments from mount Horeb onward." It is probable that they never again arrayed themselves with adornments of joy during the wilderness period.

The action of Moses at this point was full of significance. Whereas the Tabernacle could not yet have been built, there was evidently a temporary tent as the center of worship. This Moses took from the center of the people and pitched it outside the camp, a solemn act symbolizing the removal of the presence of God and the consequent excommunication of the people. At that new center Jehovah spoke unto Moses "face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." It was then that Moses asked for some fuller knowledge of God. The gracious promise was given, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Then the cry of Moses was uttered, "If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."

That cry was again answered with the promise that God would do as His servant asked. Now, made exceeding bold, Moses asked for a vision of God's glory and in reply was told that God would make all His goodness pass before him. The brightest glory of God is ever seen in the outshining of His grace.

Exodus 34

Moses was called again into the mount and the promised unveiling was made to him. It consisted of a declaration by God of the truth concerning Himself, first, as to His nature and second, as to His methods with men. In these we have the merging of the two essential truths that God is love and God is light. He is full of compassion and yet absolutely holy, He forgives and yet cannot clear the guilty. It was strange and paradoxical, yet an infinite music, fully interpreted when Moses was superseded finally by the Son of God.

Following these things, the terms of a covenant between the people and God were enunciated. In view of this covenant they were to make no covenant with the people of the land to which they were going. We have no detailed account of the happenings of this second period in the mount, save that the tables of the law were written anew. Probably in holy silence, Moses looked deeply into the nature of God and thereby was further strengthened for the work that lay before him.

He returned to the people, his face radiant with the glory of this solemn period of communion. He was not conscious of the shining of his face until he learned it from the people. After the words of the law had been delivered, he put a veil on his face. It is in the New Testament we learn clearly the purpose of that veiling. "Moses . . . put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away." Whether Moses understood that the fading of the glory on his face was symbolic of the ultimate passing away of the dispensation of Law it is impossible for us to say. It is equally impossible, however, for us to read this story without rejoicing in the fact that the glory which shines in the faces of those who hold communion with God through Jesus Christ increases ever unto the perfect light.

Exodus 35

This and the four following chapters contain the account of the actual building of the Tabernacle. At the very commencement the Sabbath obligation was again declared. The people were then called on to bring their offerings, the appeal being made to those who had willing hearts. Giving was to be the outward and sacramental sign of the inward grace of devotion to the will of God. It is noticeable that among the offerings the ornaments of the people were conspicuous.

It would seem as though this was the end of the ornaments which they had put off in their contrition. If so it was a double beautiful and sacred ceremony. In the presence of their sin and in deep penitence they had stripped themselves of the signs of a rejoicing people. Henceforward their chief cause of rejoicing would be found in the presence of God among them. This presence was forever symbolized by the Tabernacle of order and beauty. To its construction they brought these symbols of rejoicing.