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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E X O D U S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXXIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have a further account of the mediation of Moses
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between God and Israel, for the making up of the breach that sin had
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made between them.
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I. He brings a very humbling message from God to them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:1-3,5">ver. 1-3, 5</A>),
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which has a good effect upon them, and helps to prepare them for mercy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:4,6">ver. 4, 6</A>.
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II. He settles a correspondence between God and them, and both God and
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the people signify their approbation of that correspondence, God by
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descending in a cloudy pillar, and the people by worshipping at the
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tent doors,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:7-11">ver. 7-11</A>.
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III. He is earnest with God in prayer, and prevails,
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1. For a promise of his presence with the people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:12-17">ver. 12-17</A>.
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2. For a sight of his glory for himself,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:18-23">ver. 18</A>,
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&c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ex33_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Israelites Reproved.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses, Depart, <I>and</I> go up hence, thou
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and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of
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Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to
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Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:
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2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out
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the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite,
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the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
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3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up
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in the midst of thee; for thou <I>art</I> a stiffnecked people: lest I
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consume thee in the way.
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4 And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned:
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and no man did put on him his ornaments.
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5 For the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of
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Israel, Ye <I>are</I> a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the
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midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put
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off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto
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thee.
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6 And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their
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ornaments by the mount Horeb.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. The message which God sent by Moses to the children of Israel,
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signifying the continuance of the displeasure against them, and the bad
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terms they yet stood upon with God. This he must let them know for
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their further mortification.
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1. He applies to them a mortifying name, by giving them their just
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character--<I>a stiff-necked people,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:3,5"><I>v.</I> 3, 5</A>.
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"Go," says God to Moses, "go and tell them that they are so." He that
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knows them better than they know themselves says so of them. God would
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have brought them under the yoke of his law, and into the bond of his
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covenant, but their necks were too stiff to bow to them. God would have
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cured them of their corrupt and crooked dispositions, and have set them
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straight; but they were wilful and obstinate, and hated to be reformed,
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and would not have God to reign over them. Note, God judges of men by
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the temper of their minds. We know what man does; God knows what he is:
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we know what proceeds from man; God knows what is in man, and nothing
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is more displeasing to him than stiff-neckedness, as nothing in
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children is more offensive to their parents and teachers than
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stubbornness.
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2. He tells them what they deserved, that he should <I>come into the
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midst of them in a moment, and consume them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Had he dealt with them according to their sins, he had taken them away
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with a swift destruction. Note, Those whom God pardons must be made to
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know what their sin deserved, and how miserable they would have been if
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they had been unpardoned, that God's mercy may be the more magnified.
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3. He bids them <I>depart and go up hence</I> to the land of Canaan,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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This mount Sinai, where they now were, was the place appointed for the
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setting up of God's tabernacle and solemn worship among them; this was
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not yet done, so that in bidding them depart hence God intimates that
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it should not be done--"Let them go forward as they are;" and so it was
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very expressive of God's displeasure.
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4. He turns them over to Moses, as the people whom he had brought up
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out of the land of Egypt, and leaves it to him to lead them to Canaan.
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5. Though he promises to make good his covenant with Abraham, in giving
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them Canaan, yet he denies them the extraordinary tokens of his
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presence, such as they had hitherto been blessed with, and leaves them
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under the common conduct of Moses their prince, and the common convoy
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of a guardian angel: "<I>I will send an angel before thee,</I> for thy
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protector, otherwise the evil angels would soon destroy thee; but <I>I
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will not go up in the midst of thee, lest I consume thee</I>"
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>);
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not as if an angel would be more patient and compassionate than God,
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but their affronts given to an angel would not be so provoking as those
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given to the <I>shechinah,</I> or divine Majesty itself. Note, The
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greater the privileges we enjoy the greater is our danger if we do not
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improve them and live up to them.
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6. He speaks as one that was at a loss what course to take with them.
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Justice said, "Cut them off, and consume them." Mercy said, "<I>How
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shall I give thee up, Ephraim?</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+11:8">Hos. xi. 8</A>.
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Well, says God, <I>put off thy ornaments, that I may know what to do
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with thee;</I> that is, "Put thyself into the posture of a penitent,
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that the dispute may be determined in thy favour, and mercy may rejoice
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against judgment,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Note, Calls to repentance are plain indications of mercy designed. If
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the Lord were pleased to kill us, justice knows what to do with a
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stiff-necked people: but God has no pleasure in the death of those that
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die; let them return and repent, and then mercy, which otherwise is at
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a loss, knows what to do.</P>
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<P>
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II. The people's melancholy reception of this message; it was evil
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tidings to them to hear that they should not have God's special
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presence with them, and therefore,
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1. <I>They mourned</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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mourned for their sin which had provoked God to withdraw from them, and
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mourned for this as the sorest punishment of their sin. When 3000 of
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them were at one time laid dead upon the spot by the Levites' sword, we
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do not find that they mourned for this (hoping that it would help to
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expiate the guilt); but when God denied them his favourable presence
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then they mourned and were in bitterness. Note, Of all the bitter
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fruits and consequences of sin, that which true penitents most lament,
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and dread most, is God's departure from them. God had promised that,
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notwithstanding their sin, he would give them the <I>land flowing with
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milk and honey.</I> but they could have small joy of that if they had
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not God's presence with them. Canaan itself would be no pleasant land
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without that; therefore, if they want that, they mourn.
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2. In token of great shame and humiliation, those that were undressed
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did <I>not put on their ornaments</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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and those that were dressed <I>stripped themselves of their ornaments,
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by the mount;</I> or, as some read it, <I>at a distance from the
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mount</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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standing afar off like the publican,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+18:13">Luke xviii. 13</A>.
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God bade them <I>lay aside their ornaments</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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and they did so, both to show, in general, their deep mourning, and, in
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particular, to take a holy revenge upon themselves for giving their
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ear-rings to make the golden calf of. Those that would part with their
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ornaments for the maintenance of their sin could do no less than lay
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aside their ornaments in token of their sorrow and shame for it. When
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the <I>Lord God calls to weeping and mourning</I> we must comply with
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the call, and not only fast from pleasant bread
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:3">Dan. x. 3</A>),
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but lay aside our ornaments; even those that are decent enough at other
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times are unseasonably worn on days of humiliation or in times of
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public calamity,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+3:18">Isa. iii. 18</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Ex33_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex33_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Tabernacle of the Congregation.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the
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camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the
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congregation. And it came to pass, <I>that</I> every one which sought
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which
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<I>was</I> without the camp.
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8 And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle,
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<I>that</I> all the people rose up, and stood every man <I>at</I> his tent
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door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the
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tabernacle.
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9 And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle,
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the cloudy pillar descended, and stood <I>at</I> the door of the
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tabernacle, and <I>the L<FONT SIZE=-1>ORD</FONT></I> talked with Moses.
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10 And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand <I>at</I> the
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tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every
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man <I>in</I> his tent door.
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11 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses face to face, as a man
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speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but
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his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out
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of the tabernacle.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. One mark of displeasure put upon them for their further humiliation:
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<I>Moses took the tabernacle,</I> not his own tent for his family, but
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the tent wherein he gave audience, heard causes, and enquired of God,
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the <I>guild-hall</I> (as it were) of their camp, and <I>pitched it
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without, afar off from the camp</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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to signify to them that they had rendered themselves unworthy of it,
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and that, unless peace was made, it would return to them no more. God
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would thus let them know that he was at variance with them: <I>The Lord
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is far from the wicked.</I> Thus the glory of the Lord departed from
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the temple when it was polluted with sin,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+10:4,11:23">Ezek. x. 4; xi. 23</A>.
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Note, It is a sign that God is angry when he removes his tabernacle,
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for his ordinances are fruits of his favour and tokens of his presence;
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while we have them with us we have him with us. Perhaps this tabernacle
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was a plan, or model rather, of the tabernacle that was afterwards to
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be erected, a hasty draught from the pattern shown him in the mount,
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designed for direction to the workmen, and used, in the mean time, as a
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tabernacle of meeting between God and Moses about public affairs. This
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was set up at a distance, to affect the people with the loss of that
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glorious structure which, if they had not forsaken their own mercies
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for lying vanities, was to have been set up in the midst of them. Let
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them see what they had forfeited.</P>
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<P>
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II. Many encouragements give them, notwithstanding, to hope that God
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would yet be reconciled to them.</P>
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<P>
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1. Though the tabernacle was removed, yet every one that was disposed
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to seek the Lord was welcome to follow it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Private persons, as well as Moses, were invited and encouraged to apply
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to God, as intercessors upon this occasion. A place was appointed for
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them to go to <I>without the camp,</I> to solicit God's return to them.
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Thus when Ezra (a second Moses) interceded for Israel there were
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assembled to him many that <I>trembled at God's word,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+9:4">Ezra ix. 4</A>.
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When God designs mercy, he stirs up prayer. <I>He will be</I> sought
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unto
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+36:37">Ezek. xxxvi. 37</A>);
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and, thanks be to his name, he may be sought unto, and will not reject
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the intercession of the poorest. Every Israelite that sought the Lord
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was welcome to this tabernacle, as well as Moses <I>the man of
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God.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. Moses undertook to mediate between God and Israel. He <I>went out to
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the tabernacle,</I> the place of treaty, probably pitched between them
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and the mount
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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and he <I>entered into the tabernacle,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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That cause could not but speed well which had so good a manager; when
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their judge (under God) becomes their advocate, and he who was
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appointed to be their law-giver is an intercessor for them, there is
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<I>hope in Israel concerning this thing.</I></P>
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<P>
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3. The people seemed to be in a very good mind and well disposed
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towards a reconciliation.
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(1.) When Moses went out to go to the tabernacle, the people <I>looked
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after him</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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in token of their respect to him whom before they had slighted, and
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their entire dependence upon his mediation. By this it appeared that
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they were very solicitous about this matter, desirous to be at peace
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with God and concerned to know what would be the issue. Thus the
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disciples looked after our Lord Jesus, when he ascended on high to
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enter into the holy place not made with hands, till a <I>cloud received
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him out of their sight,</I> as Moses here. And we must with an eye of
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faith follow him likewise thither, where he is appearing in the
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presence of God for us; then shall we have the benefit of his
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mediation.
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(2.) When they saw the cloudy pillar, that symbol of God's presence,
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give Moses the meeting, they all <I>worshipped, every man at his tent
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door,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Thereby they signified,
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[1.] Their humble adoration of the divine Majesty, which they will ever
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worship, and not gods of gold any more.
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[2.] Their joyful thankfulness to God that he was pleased to show them
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this token for good, and give them hopes of a reconciliation; for, if
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he had been pleased to kill them, he would not have shown them such
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things as these, would not have raised them up such a mediator, nor
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given him such countenance.
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[3.] Their hearty concurrence with Moses as their advocate in every
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thing he should promise for them, and their expectation of a
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comfortable and happy issue of this treaty. Thus must we worship God in
|
|
our tents with an eye to Christ as the Mediator. Their worshipping in
|
|
their tent doors declared plainly that they were not ashamed publicly
|
|
to own their respect to God and Moses, as they had publicly worshipped
|
|
the calf.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. God was, in Moses, reconciling Israel to himself, and manifested
|
|
himself very willing to be at peace.
|
|
|
|
(1.) God met Moses at the place of treaty,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
The cloudy pillar, which had withdrawn itself from the camp when it was
|
|
polluted with idolatry, now returned to this tabernacle at some
|
|
distance, coming back gradually. If our hearts go forth towards God to
|
|
meet him he will graciously come down to meet us.
|
|
|
|
(2.) God <I>talked with Moses</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>spoke to him face to face, as a man speaks to his friend</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
which intimates that God revealed himself to Moses, not only with
|
|
greater clearness and evidence of divine light than to any other of the
|
|
prophets, but also with greater expressions of particular kindness and
|
|
grace. He spoke, not as a prince to a subject, but as a <I>man to his
|
|
friend,</I> whom he loves, and with whom he takes sweet counsel. This
|
|
was great encouragement to Israel, to see their advocate so great a
|
|
favourite; and, that they might be encouraged by it, <I>Moses turned
|
|
again into the camp,</I> to tell the people what hopes he had of
|
|
bringing this business to a good issue, and that they might not despair
|
|
if he should be long absent. But, because he intended speedily to
|
|
return to the tabernacle of the congregation, he left Joshua there, for
|
|
it was not fit that the place should be empty, so long as the cloud of
|
|
glory <I>stood at the door</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
but, if God had any thing to say out of that cloud while Moses was
|
|
absent, Joshua was there, ready to hear it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex33_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Moses Petitions to See God's Glory.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 And Moses said unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, 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.
|
|
13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy
|
|
sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find
|
|
grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation <I>is</I> thy
|
|
people.
|
|
14 And he said, My presence shall go <I>with thee,</I> and I will
|
|
give thee rest.
|
|
15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not <I>with me,</I>
|
|
carry us not up hence.
|
|
16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people
|
|
have found grace in thy sight? <I>is it</I> not in that thou goest
|
|
with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the
|
|
people that <I>are</I> upon the face of the earth.
|
|
17 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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.
|
|
18 And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
|
|
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee,
|
|
and I will proclaim the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> before thee; and will be
|
|
gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom
|
|
I will show mercy.
|
|
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no
|
|
man see me, and live.
|
|
21 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, Behold, <I>there is</I> a place by me, and
|
|
thou shalt stand upon a rock:
|
|
22 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:
|
|
23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back
|
|
parts: but my face shall not be seen.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Moses, having returned to the door of the tabernacle, becomes a humble
|
|
and importunate supplicant there for two very great favours, and as a
|
|
prince he has power with God, and prevails for both: herein he was a
|
|
type of Christ the great intercessor, <I>whom the Father heareth
|
|
always.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He is very earnest with God for a grant of his presence with Israel
|
|
in the rest of their march to Canaan, notwithstanding their
|
|
provocations. The people had by their sin deserved the wrath of God,
|
|
and for the turning away of that Moses had already prevailed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+32:14"><I>ch.</I> xxxii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
But they had likewise forfeited God's favourable presence, and all the
|
|
benefit and comfort of that, and this Moses is here begging for the
|
|
return of. Thus, by the intercession of Christ, we obtain not only the
|
|
removal of the curse, but an assurance of the blessing; we are not only
|
|
saved from ruin, but become entitled to everlasting happiness. Observe
|
|
how admirably Moses orders this cause before God, and <I>fills his
|
|
mouth with arguments.</I> What a value he expresses for God's favour,
|
|
what a concern for God's glory and the welfare of Israel. How he
|
|
pleads, and how he speeds.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How he pleads.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He insists upon the commission God had given him to <I>bring up
|
|
this people,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
This he begins with: "Lord, it is thou thyself that employest me; and
|
|
wilt thou not own me? I am in the way of my duty; and shall I not have
|
|
thy presence with me in that way?" Whom God calls out to any service he
|
|
will be sure to furnish with necessary assistances. "Now, Lord, thou
|
|
hast ordered me a great work, and yet left me at a loss how to go about
|
|
it, and to through with it." Note, Those that sincerely design and
|
|
endeavour to do their duty may in faith beg of God direction and
|
|
strength for the doing of it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He improves the interest he himself had with God, and pleads God's
|
|
gracious expressions of kindness to him: <I>Thou hast said, I know thee
|
|
by name,</I> as a particular friend and confidant, <I>and thou hast
|
|
also found grace in my sight,</I> above any other. <I>Now,
|
|
therefore,</I> says Moses, if it be indeed so, that <I>I have found
|
|
grace in thy sight, show me the way,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
What favour God had expressed to the people they had forfeited the
|
|
benefit of, there was no insisting upon that; and therefore Moses lays
|
|
the stress of his plea upon what God had said to him, which, though he
|
|
owns himself unworthy of, yet he hopes he has not thrown himself out of
|
|
the benefit of. By this therefore he takes hold on God: "Lord, if ever
|
|
thou wilt do any thing for me, do this for the people." Thus our Lord
|
|
Jesus, in his intercession, presents himself to the Father, as one in
|
|
whom he is always well pleased, and so obtains mercy for us with whom
|
|
he is justly displeased; and we are <I>accepted in the beloved.</I>
|
|
Thus also men of public spirit love to improve their interest both with
|
|
God and man for the public good. Observe what it is he is thus earnest
|
|
for: <I>Show me thy way,</I> that I may know that <I>I find grace in
|
|
thy sight.</I> Note, Divine direction is one of the best evidences of
|
|
divine favour. By this we may know that we <I>find grace in God's
|
|
sight,</I> if we find grace in our hearts to guide and quicken us in
|
|
the way of our duty. God's good work in us is the surest discovery of
|
|
his good-will towards us.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He insinuates that the people also, though most unworthy, yet were
|
|
in some relation to God: "<I>Consider that this nation is thy
|
|
people,</I> a people that thou hast done great things for, redeemed to
|
|
thyself, and taken into covenant with thyself; Lord, they are thy own,
|
|
do not leave them." The offended father considers this, "My child is
|
|
foolish and froward, but he is my child, and I cannot abandon him."
|
|
|
|
(4.) He expresses the great value he had for the presence of God. When
|
|
God said, <I>My presence shall go with thee,</I> he caught at that
|
|
word, as that which he could not live and move without: "<I>If thy
|
|
presence go not with me, carry us not up hence,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
He speaks as one that dreaded the thought of going forward without
|
|
God's presence, knowing that their marches could not be safe, nor their
|
|
encampments easy, if they had not God with them. "Better lie down and
|
|
die here in the wilderness than go forward to Canaan without God's
|
|
presence." Note, Those who know how to value God's favours are best
|
|
prepared to receive them. Observe how earnest Moses is in this matter;
|
|
he begs as one that would take no denial. "Here we will stay till we
|
|
obtain thy favour; like Jacob, <I>I will not let thee go except thou
|
|
bless me.</I>" And observe how he advances upon God's concessions; the
|
|
kind intimations given him make him yet more importunate. Thus God's
|
|
gracious promises, and the advances of mercy towards us, should not
|
|
only encourage our faith, but excite our fervency in prayer.
|
|
|
|
(5.) He concludes with an argument taken from God's glory
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Wherein shall it be known</I> to the nations that have their eyes
|
|
upon us that <I>I and thy people</I> (with whom my interests are all
|
|
blended) <I>have found grace in thy sight,</I> distinguishing favour,
|
|
so as to be <I>separated from all people on earth?</I> How will it
|
|
appear that we are indeed thus honoured? <I>Is it not in that thou
|
|
goest with us?</I> Nothing short of this can answer these characters.
|
|
Let it never be said that we are a peculiar people, and highly
|
|
favoured, for we stand but upon a level with the rest of our neighbours
|
|
unless thou go with us; sending an angel with us will not serve." He
|
|
lays a stress upon the place--"<I>here</I> in this wilderness, whither
|
|
thou hast led us, and where we shall be certainly lost if thou leave
|
|
us." Note, God's special presence with us in this wilderness, by his
|
|
Spirit and grace, to direct, defend, and comfort us, is the surest
|
|
pledge of his special love to us and will redound to his glory as well
|
|
as our benefit.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Observe how he speeds. He obtained an assurance of God's favour,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>I will give thee rest,</I> I will take care to make thee easy in
|
|
this matter; however it be, thou shalt have satisfaction." Moses never
|
|
entered Canaan, and yet God made good his word that he would give him
|
|
rest,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:13">Dan. xii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) To the people for his sake. Moses was not content with that answer
|
|
which bespoke favour to himself only, he must gain a promise, an
|
|
express promise, for the people too, or he is not at rest; gracious
|
|
generous souls think it not enough to get to heaven themselves, but
|
|
would have all their friends go thither too. And in this also Moses
|
|
prevailed: <I>I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Moses is not checked as an unreasonable beggar, whom no saying would
|
|
serve, but he is encouraged. God grants as long as he asks, <I>gives
|
|
liberally,</I> and <I>does not upbraid</I> him. See the power of
|
|
prayer, and be quickened hereby to ask, and seek, and knock, and to
|
|
<I>continue instant in prayer, to pray always and not to faint.</I> See
|
|
the riches of God's goodness. When he has done much, yet he is willing
|
|
to do more: <I>I will do this also</I>--above <I>what we are able to
|
|
ask or think.</I> See, in type, the prevalency of Christ's
|
|
intercession, which he ever lives to make for all those that come to
|
|
God by him, and the ground of that prevalency. It is purely his own
|
|
merit, not any thing in those for whom he intercedes; it is because
|
|
<I>thou hast found grace in my sight.</I> And now the matter is
|
|
settled, God is perfectly reconciled to them, his presence in the
|
|
pillar of cloud returns to them and shall continue with them; all is
|
|
well again, and henceforth we hear no more of the golden calf. <I>Lord,
|
|
who is a God like unto thee, pardoning iniquity?</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Having gained this point, he next begs <I>a sight of God's
|
|
glory,</I> and is heard in this matter also. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The humble request Moses makes: <I>I beseech thee, show me thy
|
|
glory,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Moses had lately been in the mount with God, had continued there a
|
|
great while, and had enjoyed as intimate a communion with God as ever
|
|
any man had on this side heaven; and yet he is still desiring a further
|
|
acquaintance. All that are effectually called to the knowledge of God
|
|
and fellowship with him, though they desire nothing more than God, are
|
|
nevertheless still coveting more and more of him, till they come to see
|
|
as they are seen. Moses had wonderfully prevailed with God for one
|
|
favour after another, and the success of his prayers emboldened him to
|
|
go on still to seek God; the more he had the more he asked: when we are
|
|
in a good frame at the throne of grace, we should endeavour to preserve
|
|
and improve it, and strike while the iron is hot: "<I>Show me thy
|
|
glory; make me to see</I> it" (so the word is); "make it some way or
|
|
other visible, and enable me to bear the sight of it." Not that he was
|
|
so ignorant as to think God's essence could be seen with bodily eyes;
|
|
but, having hitherto only heard a voice out of a pillar of cloud or
|
|
fire, he desired to see some representation of the divine glory, such
|
|
as God saw fit to gratify him with. It was not fit that the people
|
|
should see any similitude when the Lord spoke unto them, <I>lest they
|
|
should corrupt themselves;</I> but he hoped that there was not that
|
|
danger in his seeing some similitude. Something it was more than he had
|
|
yet seen that Moses desired. If it was purely for the assisting of his
|
|
faith and devotion, the desire was commendable; but perhaps there was
|
|
in it a mixture of human infirmity. God will have us walk by faith, not
|
|
by sight, in this world; and <I>faith comes by hearing.</I> Some think
|
|
that Moses desired a sight of God's glory as a token of his
|
|
reconciliation, and an earnest of that presence which he had promised
|
|
them; but he knew not what he asked.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The gracious reply God made to this request.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He denied that which was not fit to be granted, and which Moses
|
|
could not bear: <I>Thou canst not see my face,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
A full discovery of the glory of God would quite overpower the
|
|
faculties of any mortal man in this present state, and overwhelm him,
|
|
even Moses himself. Man is mean and unworthy of it, weak and could not
|
|
bear it, guilty and could not but dread it. It is in compassion to our
|
|
infirmity that God <I>holdeth back the face of his throne, and
|
|
spreadeth a cloud upon it,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+26:9">Job xxvi. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
God has said that <I>here</I> (that is, in this world) his <I>face
|
|
shall not be seen</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>);
|
|
|
|
that is an honour reserved for the future state, to be the eternal
|
|
bliss of holy souls: should men in this state know what it is, they
|
|
would not be content to live short of it. There is a knowledge and
|
|
enjoyment of God which must be waited for in another world, when we
|
|
shall <I>see him as he is,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+3:2">1 John iii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the mean time let us adore the height of what we do know of God, and
|
|
the depth of what we do not. Long before this, Jacob had spoken of it
|
|
with wonder that he had <I>seen God face to face,</I> and yet <I>his
|
|
life was preserved,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:30">Gen. xxxii. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
Sinful man dreads the sight of God his Judge; but holy souls, being
|
|
<I>by the Spirit of the Lord changed into the same image, behold with
|
|
open face the glory of the Lord.</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:18">2 Cor. iii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He granted that which would be abundantly satisfying.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He should hear what would please him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will make all my goodness pass before thee.</I> He had given him
|
|
wonderful instances of his goodness in being reconciled to Israel: but
|
|
that was only goodness in the stream; he would show him goodness in the
|
|
spring--<I>all his goodness.</I> This was a sufficient answer to his
|
|
request. "Show me thy glory," says Moses. "I will show thee my
|
|
goodness," says God. Note, 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; for we must fear even <I>the Lord and his goodness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+3:5">Hos. iii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
That especially which is the glory of God's goodness is the sovereignty
|
|
of it, that he will be <I>gracious to whom he will be gracious,</I>
|
|
that, as an absolute proprietor, he makes what difference he pleases in
|
|
bestowing his gifts, and is not debtor to any, nor accountable to any
|
|
(<I>may he not do what he will with his own?</I>); also that all his
|
|
reasons of mercy are fetched from within himself, not from any merit in
|
|
his creatures: as he has mercy on whom he will, so, because he will.
|
|
<I>Even so, Father, because it seemed good in thy sight.</I> It is
|
|
never said, "I will be angry at whom I will be angry," for his wrath is
|
|
always just and holy; but <I>I will show mercy on whom I will show
|
|
mercy,</I> for his grace is always free. He never damns by prerogative,
|
|
but by prerogative he saves. The apostle quotes this
|
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:15">Rom. ix. 15</A>)
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in answer to those who charged God with unrighteousness in giving
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that grace freely to some which he withholds justly from others.
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[2.] He should see what he could bear, and what would suffice him. The
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matter is concerted so as that Moses might be safe and yet satisfied.
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<I>First,</I> Save in a <I>cleft of the rock,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>.
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In this he was to be sheltered from the dazzling light and devouring
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fire of God's glory. This was the rock in Horeb out of which water was
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brought, of which it is said, <I>That rock was Christ,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:4">1 Cor. x. 4</A>.
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It is in the clefts of this rock that we are secured from the wrath of
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God, which otherwise would consume us; God himself will protect those
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that are thus hid. And it is only through Christ that we have <I>the
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knowledge of the glory of God.</I> None can see his glory to their
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comfort but those who stand upon this rock, and take shelter in it.
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<I>Secondly,</I> He was satisfied with a sight of his back-parts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
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He should see more of God than any ever saw on earth, but not so much
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as those see who are in heaven. The face, in man, is the seat of
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majesty, and men are known by their faces; in them we take a full view
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of men. That sight of God Moses might not have, but such a sight as we
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have of a man who has gone past us, so that we only see his back, and
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have (as we say) a blush of him. We cannot be said to look at God, but
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rather to look after him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:13">Gen. xvi. 13</A>);
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for we see <I>through a glass darkly.</I> When we see what God has done
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in his works, observe the goings of our God, our King, we see (as it
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were) his back-parts. The best thus <I>know but in part,</I> and we
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cannot order our speech concerning God, by reason of darkness, any more
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than we can describe a man whose face we never saw. Now Moses was
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allowed to see only the back-parts; but long afterwards, when he was a
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witness to Christ's transfiguration, he saw <I>his face shine as the
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sun.</I> If we faithfully improve the discoveries God gives us of
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himself while we are here, a brighter and more glorious scene will
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shortly be opened to us; for <I>to him that hath shall be
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given.</I></P>
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