The Lord refuses to go with Israel. (1–6)
The tabernacle of Moses removed without (7–11)
the camp.
Moses desires to see the glory of God. (12–23)Verses 1–6
Those 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 giving them Canaan, yet he denies them the tokens of his presence they
had been blessed with. The people mourned for their sin. Of all the bitter fruits and consequences
of sin, true penitents most lament, and dread most, God's departure from them. Canaan itself would
be no pleasant land without the Lord's presence. Those who parted with ornaments to maintain sin,
could do no less than lay aside ornaments, in token of sorrow and shame for it.
Verses 7–11
Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp. This seems to have been a temporary
building, set up for worship, and at which he judged disputes among the people. The people looked
after him; they were very desirous to be at peace with God, and concerned to know what would
come to pass. The cloudy pillar which had withdrawn from the camp when it was polluted with
idolatry, now returned. If our hearts go forth toward God to meet him, he will graciously come to
meet us.
Verses 12–23
Moses is very earnest with God. Thus, by the intercession of Christ, we are not only saved from
ruin, but become entitled to everlasting happiness. Observe here how he pleads. We find grace in
God's sight, if we find grace in our hearts to guide and quicken us in the way of our duty. Moses
speaks as one who dreaded the thought of going forward without the Lord's presence. God's gracious
promises, and mercy towards us, should not only encourage our faith, but also excite our fervency
in prayer. Observe how he speeds. See, in a type, Christ's intercession, which he ever lives to make
for all that come to God by him; and that it is not by any thing in those for whom he intercedes.
Moses then entreats a sight of God's glory, and is heard in that also. A full discovery of the glory
of God, would overwhelm even Moses himself. Man is mean, and unworthy of it; weak, and could
not bear it; guilty, and could not but dread it. The merciful display which is made in Christ Jesus,
alone can be borne by us. The Lord granted that which would abundantly satisfy. God's goodness
is his glory; and he will have us to know him by the glory of his mercy, more than by the glory of
his majesty. Upon the rock there was a fit place for Moses to view the goodness and glory of God.
The rock in Horeb was typical of Christ the Rock; the Rock of refuge, salvation, and strength.
Happy are they who stand upon this Rock. The cleft may be an emblem of Christ, as smitten,
crucified, wounded, and slain. What follows, denotes the imperfect knowledge of God in the present
state, even as revealed in Christ; for this, when compared with the heavenly sight of him. is but