After the episode
with the golden calf, God "decided" not to walk among His people
anymore. He told Moses that He would go before them, but not among them. It was
basically a merciful decision. He was repulsed by their stubbornness and
intended to keep His distance from them so as to be less apt to lash out
against them in an instant "if" they rebelled again.
Now, this news did
not please anyone. When the people heard that God was not going to be with them
anymore, they mourned. And, apparently God was immediately affected by that
wholesome response. He commanded them to prepare themselves for His presence
right away. He indicated that He would reconsider His proposition (Exodus
33:5).
The tabernacle
which Moses pitched in this account was not the Tabernacle of God. THE
Tabernacle had not yet been constructed (Exodus 36). But it was a tent set up
for sacred intercourse. Seekers went there seeking after God. Moses went their
too, and when he did, THE cloudy pillar descended to him.
God's presence was
there. It was a good distance from the camp, so God was not yet in their midst,
but He was close by... and the people saw the cloud. He was in the cloud
speaking with Moses... face to face; Friend to friend.
In the conversation that Moses had with Jehovah
on that day, he waxed exceedingly bold. And, why not? God had heeded his
supplications for the nation, why not press on to higher planes? Notice the
gloriously elevated requests of Moses: "Show me Your way, You, Your
presence, Your glory."
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