Exodus 33:12-23 - Prayer Tents

Exodus 33

33The LORD said to Moses, "Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, 'I will give this land to your descendants.'H3068H1696H4872H3212H5927H5971H5927H776H4714H776H7650H85H3327H3290H559H2233H54142And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.H7971H4397H6440H1644H3669H567H2850H6522H2340H29833Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way."H776H2100H2461H1706H5927H7130H7186H6203H5971H3615H18704When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes.H5971H8085H7451H1697H56H376H7896H57165For the LORD had told Moses to tell them, "You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you."H3068H559H4872H559H1121H3478H7186H6203H5971H5927H7130H259H7281H3615H3381H5716H3045H62136So from the time they left Mount Sinai

, the Israelites wore no more jewelry or fine clothes.H1121H3478H5337H5716H2022H27227It was Moses' practice to take the Tent of Meeting

and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.H4872H3947H168H5186H2351H4264H7368H4264H7121H168H4150H1245H3068H3318H168H4150H2351H42648Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside.H4872H3318H168H5971H6965H5324H376H168H6607H5027H310H4872H935H1689As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses.H4872H935H168H6051H5982H3381H5975H6607H168H1696H487210When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents.H5971H7200H6051H5982H5975H168H6607H5971H6965H7812H376H168H660711Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.H3068H1696H4872H6440H6440H376H1696H7453H7725H4264H8334H3091H1121H5126H5288H4185H8432H168

Moses Sees the Lord’s Glory

12One day Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Take these people up to the Promised Land.' But you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, 'I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.'H4872H559H3068H7200H559H5927H5971H3045H7971H559H3045H8034H4672H2580H586913If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people."H4672H2580H5869H3045H1870H3045H4672H2580H5869H7200H1471H597114The LORD replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you."H559H6440H3212H511715Then Moses said, "If you don't personally go with us, don't make us leave this place.H559H6440H1980H592716How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don't go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth."H3045H645H5971H4672H2580H5869H3212H6395H5971H5971H6440H12717The LORD replied to Moses, "I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name."H3068H559H4872H6213H1697H1696H4672H2580H5869H3045H803418Moses responded, "Then show me your glorious presence."H559H4994H7200H351919The LORD replied, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh

, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.H559H2898H5674H7121H8034H3068H6440H2603H2603H7355H735520But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live."H559H3201H7200H6440H120H7200H242521The LORD continued, "Look, stand near me on this rock.H3068H559H4725H5324H669722As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.H3519H5674H7760H5366H6697H5526H3709H5704H567423Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen."H5493H3709H7200H268H6440H7200