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Exodus 33
The Tent of Meeting
In the Golden Calf incident of chapter 32, when Moses hadn’t come down from the mountain, people may have panicked and sought comfort by reverting back to their old ways of worshipping their pagan gods. They returned to that Ole Time Religion of Egypt. The religion that brought them comfort in the past. The rituals that took them back to their safe and secure childhood. This brings to mind the old Gospel song, Give me that Old Time Religion: Do you remember that old Gospel song?
Give me that old-time religion
Give me that old-time religion
Give me that old-time religion
Its' good enough for me!
It was good for Paul & Silas,
It was good for Paul and Silas,
It was good for Paul and Silas,
Lord it's good enough for me!
Didn’t we see this desire to “go back” to the old religion in the early church when Jewish Christians were being persecuted? They, too, were tempted to return to the old-time religion of Judaism. To the Levitical priesthood, the Law of Moses, the temple and the sacrifices. This is what the Book of Hebrews addressed. The writer tried to impress upon these Jewish-Christians that Jesus is greater than Moses; his sacrifice was better than animal sacrifices, the New Covenant is superior to the Old Covenant, don’t go back to an inferior system of worship.
In Exodus 33 we find God telling Moses to lead the people onward, towards the promised land.
Exodus 33:1, “Leave this place . . . I will send an angel before you and will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites . . . but I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people.”
I notice a couple of things here. God says, again, that He will drive out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. Earlier He said that the method that He would use will be to put fear into their hearts. This is good to hear. Afterall, these Israelites weren’t trained soldiers, equipped and supplied with the latest military technology and led by graduates of military academies. The promise sounds like all the Israelites would have to do is follow behind the angel and as they approach the land the “enemies” would scatter.
Putting fear into the hearts of the enemy is an example of psychological warfare. I saw an example of psychological warfare at the Kremlin in Moscow.
This is called the Czar Cannon, built in 1586, it is the largest caliber cannon in the world. Its’ barrel has an inside diameter of 35 inches. It was never used in war because it was just too big to be practical, but it was used to impress foreign diplomats. To impress foreign diplomats is a nice way of saying, to scare any potential adversaries.
Verse 3 says, “I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people.”
The people were very sad to hear this, so sad, in fact, that they wouldn’t get dressed up and put on their fancy jewelry. Or what they may have had left after giving so much of it for the construction of the tabernacle. To not wear jewelry in that day was a sign of mourning. Another way of expressing sorrow was to wear sackcloth and ashes.
Exodus 33:7 “Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the tent of meeting. Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. Verse 11, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua, son of Nun did not leave the tent.”
Presidents and kings have their ceremonial offices to meet with visitors. Moses had a special place to go when he wanted to meet with God. He had what was called a Tent of Meeting. Not a very fancy name for such a use.
Did you notice where the tent was located? This special place was not located in the camp, but “outside the camp, some distance away” Verse 7). It symbolized the idea that God had removed his immediate presence from the people. It may have been outside the camp for another reason. It was away from the interruptions. Away from the noise. Away from the distractions. It seems to have been a place where Moses could think, focus on the future, to mediate and pray. Every leader needs a place to take the time to reflect, plan for the future, while having subordinates deal more with the day-to-day management of their organization. The tent of meeting sounds like his own private chapel.
Like Moses, the Pope has his own “tent of meeting” or private chapel.
The President of the U.S. has an office next door to the West Wing of the White House. It is located in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. It’s used by presidents when they need time alone to prepare, write a draft for a speech or to reflect on some issue. Tent of Meeting, Private Office, Mancave, private study, whatever you call them, leaders of all types need a quiet place where they can work without interruption.
Exodus 33:11, When Moses wasn’t in the tent, his young aide, Joshua was there. One commentator suggested that he may have been there to provide security. I don’t think so. Why would a person who is being groomed to succeed Moses, a key aide, be given the task of a security guard? Here is how I picture it. Moses is the commander who makes decisions on WHAT should be done, following the guidance from God. He then turns to Joshua, who is his chief of staff. Joshua coordinated the planning on HOW to implement the goal set by Moses. So I imagine that Joshua had an office in the tent, also. He too needed a place to work out the details of any plan without interruptions.
What type of conversations went on in the Tent of Meeting? I will paraphrase Exodus 33:15, Moses said to the Lord, “Hey, if you’re not coming with us, we’re not going.” In verse 16 Moses says, “How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
My impression is that Moses was worried about their safety if there is not some physical manifestation of God among the Israelites. The people needed some evidence of His presence as they moved forward, especially as they got closer to their destination. He wanted some way of showing the Canaanites that the Israelites weren’t just another group of foreigners coming their way.
There may have been a brief pause before God responded to Moses. Then God says, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
Did you notice that this is the second time, at least, that God changed his mind? And why did He do that? Not because God was pleased with the people, but because He was pleased with Moses. I think the two have bonded.
When someone does what you ask, that’s a good time to ask him for something else. Moses saw how quickly God agreed to go with them, he asked for a second favor.
Exodus 33:18, “Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’” Moses is getting a bit brazen here. He’s telling God what to do? He didn’t even say, “please.” Do you think God said, “Say the magic word (please).”?
God agrees to reveal himself to Moses in some physical manifestation. This should be reassuring for him. I also think that this might be an example of using the foot in the door technique. This is when you get someone to agree to a small favor to lay the foundation or increase the likelihood of someone agreeing to a second, larger request. So, initially you make a small request and once the person agrees to this they find it more difficult to refuse a bigger one. Moses just asked, “Would you come with us?” God says Yes. Then Moses hit him with another request, “Can you show yourself to me?”
Exodus 33:20-23, God says that no one can see his face and live. Jesus said in John 1:18 that “No one has seen God at any time.” And yet, God does allow Moses to get a glimpse of his back as He “walked by.”
One commentary says that there are several understandings of what happened between God and Moses in these passages. But one theme they do agree on, Israel had fallen from its spiritual standing and Moses wanted to restore it and to increase his own understanding of God’s essence and ways. To achieve these goals, Moses had to spend time alone with God. We can do the same, by taking the time to meditate on his word and spend time alone reflecting on what he has revealed to us.
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Purim is a Jewish celebration, more like the Fourth of July or Mother’s Day, than a religious holiday like Passover. Purin is usually observed in February or March of each year. The word Purim means, “lots” as in a lottery, which was the means that the villainous Haman, an Amalekite, used to set the date for the massacre of Jews in Persia (previously Babylon). These events in the Book of Esther take place between chapters six and seven of the Book of Ezra. The setting is Persia, seventy years after they were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Israel spent 70 years in captivity in Babylon, which was later taken over by the Persians in 539 B.C. Just a year later, the Persian King Cyrus decreed throughout his empire that any captive Jews in Babylonia who desired could return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Cyrus even allowed the vessels of gold and silver stolen by Nebuchadnezzar’s troops to be returned. As we will read in Isaiah 48 , they all should have left, but some stayed behind. Let’s look at the cast of characters in this drama. The villain in the story was Haman, an Amalekite. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother. You might recall that these siblings had a long-standing conflict that revolved around the birthright. Esau, the firstborn, sold his birthright to his brother Jacob. The hostility that Jacob and Esau had for one another carried on through the generations like a bad gene. Esau had a grandson named Amalek, from which we get the name Amalekites. These cousins of the Israelites attacked them whenever they had the chance. When the Jews were led out of Egypt by Moses, the Amalekites attacked them in Rephidim, in the Sinai Desert. This unprovoked attack led God to promise to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven (Ex. 17:8-14) . Forty years later, in his last major speech to his people, Moses reminded the Jews of the command to go after Amalek (Deut. 25:17-19) . Saul, the first King of Israel, was commanded to wipe out the Amalekites (I Sam. 15:2-3) . But Saul disobeyed and spared the life of King Agag (I Sam 15:9) . This led to the premature end of the reign of Saul (I Sam. 15:23) . Saul, realizing his mistake, subsequently did kill Agag, but one of his sons survived. So not only was he disobedient, but he was also incompetent. Some 500 years later, one of his descendants was Haman. Others in the cast of characters included the royal couple, King Xerxes (some think it was King Ahasuerus or perhaps both names refer to the same person), and Queen Vashti. Then there was Esther, the Jewish maiden, and her uncle Mordecai. And so, with the setting in place, the cast of characters on stage, let the drama that led to Purim begin.
JOB SUFFERS AND DEMANDS FROM GOD AN EXPLANATION AS TO “WHY?”
Did it Really Happen? Does it Really Matter?
Ezra Comes to Jerusalem and Teaches the People
The Miracle of Passover: Zola Levitt
The Jews Journey to Jerusalem
The Israelites Head for Jerusalem and Rebuild their Temple.
How Israelites Should Behave When They Return Home
December 7-15, 2023, is Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)
Chapter 22: The Book of the Law was Found, Josiah leads a Return to God
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Why Study the Bible?
Don’t many consider the Bible to be just a book of myths? Why do we read the Bible rather than the sacred literature of other religions?
How do we know that it is from God? How do we know that what we have today is an accurate translation from the original? Is the Bible complete or have there been some books that have been lost?
We should be able to answer these questions, and there are answers! So start here!
Answers to Common Bible Questions
Lent is a six week period of spiritual devotion starting on Ash Wednesday and ending at Easter. Those who observe Lent usually give up something for Lent. Some might give up coffee, or soda pop, or alcohol, or chocolate. May I suggest that you give up something that will really impress God and make this season of Lent one of the most memorable and meaningful seasons of your life? May I suggest that if you are giving up something, why not give up some of the acts of our sinful nature mentioned in Gal. 5:19? Why don’t we give up lying about others? Do you think you can give up the hate you feel towards others? How about envy, can we work on putting envy aside this year? How about giving up on the naïve idea that all pastors are mature Christian leaders whose word should always be accepted, rather than wolfs in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15). How about giving up the idea that everyone in church is a real Christian (Matt 7:21-23). How about giving up your desire to seek revenge on those who have hurt you (Matt 18:21-22)? If you are insecure and feel threatened when you see the success of others in ministry, how about giving up efforts to hinder others who have been called to minister (Rom 12:4-8)? Of course it is easier to give up something like chocolate, etc. and make yourself feel like you are doing something that is pleasing to God. If you are not willing to give up unchristian behavior, might I suggest something that will really please God this Lent? Give up all evidence of your profession of Christian faith, such as books, pictures and jewelry. Don’t talk about God, Jesus or the Church. I think God would appreciate it if you would stop giving HIM a bad name by the way you live. Let’s give up what hinders our witness and become a better ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) this Lenten season.
In Matthew 2:1-2 is says that the magi saw "His star in the east." What was this star that guided these men to Jesus? Some have suggested that it could have been a comet, an asteroid, or perhaps a meteor or an especially bright star. The problem with these suggestions is that these physical things either quickly move across the sky and then disappear or are too far away to provide directions with any precision. It would be hard to get directions from such objects. The "star" had to move constantly or intermittently at the same pace as the magi. Then it says that it hovered over the house where Mary and Joseph had moved to with Jesus. It hardly sounds like a comet or meteor or a star as we know them. Can you think of another time that people in the Bible were guided by some form of light? How about the time when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt? He didn't have a global positioning system with him. He did have a pillar of fire that led him at night (Ex 13:21-22). We see this light in Solomon's Temple (2 Chron 7:1-3) and when the Jews were about to go into Babylonian captivity, we see it leaving the Temple (Ezek 9-11). In the New Testament we see it at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9) at His transfiguration (Matt 17:5) and His ascension (Acts 1:9). What exactly was this guiding light? The word "star" can also be translated as "radiance." It appears that it was this "radiance" that guided Moses and the magi. The Jews call this the "Shekinah", a physical manifestation of the glory of God in the form of a supernatural radiance. This, I believe, is what the Star of Bethlehem was.
Imagine that you are the pastor of a church. A young married couple is having some difficulties in their relationship and they seek counsel from you. On Monday the wife comes in to give her assessment of their marriage. What do you think she will say? She might say that she is a hardworking, caring and supportive wife and that it is her husband who is the neglectful, insensitive brute and the source of all problems in the marriage. You feel so sorry for this wife and when you see her husband in the hallway, you think to yourself, "What a jerk." On Friday the husband comes in and gives his assessment of the marriage. He tells you that he is hard working and very generous and that she is the major problem in the relationship. As the pastor, you are wondering if they both are talking about the same marriage. Each person tells you what makes them look best and their spouse the worst. Where is the truth? The truth is probably somewhere in between Proverbs 18:17 says, "The first to present his case seems right, til another comes forward and questions him." There are conflicts in all relationships, between spouses, parents and children, employees and employers. When you hear one side of a story, don’t assume that what you hear is the complete truth. And don’t pass on to someone else what you have heard. Probably, at least some of what you heard is untrue to gain your support in a conflict.