Read-Post Through the Bible

[daniel1212av]

(Exo 32)  "And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. {2} And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. {3} And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. {4} And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. {5} And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. {6} And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. {7} And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: {8} They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. {9} And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: {10} Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. {11} And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? {12} Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. {13} Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. {14} And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. {15} And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. {16} And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. {17} And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. {18} And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. {19} And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. {20} And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strowed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. {21} And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? {22} And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. {23} For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. {24} And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. {25} And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) {26} Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. {27} And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. {28} And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. {29} For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. {30} And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. {31} And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. {32} Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. {33} And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. {34} Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. {35} And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made."

[daniel1212av]

This chapter reveals the necessity and example of Godly leadership, the depravity of man and his proclivity to ungratefulness and to idolatry, the sacrificial intercession of a true shepherd of the sheep in a time of testing, and the righteous but tempered judgment of almighty God in response to Israel's rebellion and Moses' Godly intercession.

Vs. 1 – 5: “The just shall live by faith” (Rm. 1:16), but this people are not just and spiritually affectioned toward God, and have no faith, despite the great manifest miracles done by Almighty God before them, and as soon after their pastor Moses is departed, the people seek security in idols.  This has happened in many churches, where people follow a man or men of strong leadership in faith, and when he is gone the sheep are scattered. While we are in need of strong leadership and some more than others, most immediately ultimately it is us the LORD that must be our strength and song and salvation.   

Vs. 4 – 8: “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” It seems incredible how these idols came to be as explained by Aaron later to Moses, that he cast the gold into the fire and out came these idols, how much more unbelievable yet  true is it that not only Israel but even Aaron would attribute the mighty works of God to dumb idols. Yet we too often take credit for what God has done (and indeed many ministries make money off miracles). And the cry, “these be thy gods” still echoes today, such as in the presentation of many “Christian” music stars who are high and lifted up because of their ability to sing and sell media.

Vs. 9 – 13: This was a test of Moses, in which he could have agreed to the offer of justice and judgment and seen himself exalted. But as  a type of Christ and an everlasting example to pastors and flock alike,  Moses does not seek his own glory but that of God, and the welfare of the seed of Abraham.

V. 14: That “the LORD repented” does not signify that anything happened which God did not foresee, but He offered to Moses a proposal which He knew the outcome of, and “repented” in the sense that He did contrary to His proposal, in fulfilling His plan. A similar situation is that of Jonah.

Vs. 17-18: The spiritually mature pastor can more perfectly discern things about his flock that his understudy imperfectly perceives. 

Vs. 26 – 29: “Who is on the LORD'S side?” This is the question that is also asked of the church today.  “Judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Pt. 4:17). Those who are thus consecrated must not only “have  compassion the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way” (Heb. 5:1), but must also exercise righteous judgment on the rebellious, without partiality – and to first judge ourselves.  And towards the lost we are not only on some to “have compassion, making a difference,” but “others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” Jude vs. 11, 12).

Vs. 34, 35: “..mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.  And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” This Angel is seen as the preincarnate Christ (1Cor. 10:4), who is a shepherd – with a rod! Though God spared the people from their worthy destruction, yet sin has consequences and the people of God will not go unchastised, before (and during) they resume their march toward Zion.   

Exodus 32 -
It is a very lamentable interruption which the story of this chapter gives to the record of the establishment of the church, and of religion among the Jews. Things went on admirably well towards that happy settlement: God had shown himself very favourable, and the people also had seemed to be pretty tractable. Moses had now almost completed his forty days upon the mount, and, we may suppose, was pleasing himself with the thoughts of the very joyful welcome he should have to the camp of Israel at his return, and the speedy setting up of the tabernacle among them. But, behold, the measures are broken, the sin of Israel turns away those good things from them, and puts a stop to the current of God's favours; the sin that did the mischief (would you think it?) was worshipping a golden calf. The marriage was ready to be solemnized between God and Israel, but Israel plays the harlot, and so the match is broken, and it will be no easy matter to piece it again. Here is,  I. The sin of Israel, and of Aaron particularly, in making the golden calf for a god (Exo_32:1-4), and worshipping it (Exo_32:5, Exo_32:6).  II. The notice which God gave of this to Moses, who was now in the mount with him (Exo_32:7, Exo_32:, and the sentence of his wrath against them (Exo_32:9, Exo_32:10).  III. The intercession which Moses immediately made for them in the mount (Exo_32:11-13), and the prevalency of that intercession (Exo_32:14).  IV. His coming down from the mount, when he became an eye-witness of their idolatry (Exo_32:15-19), in abhorrence of which, and as an expression of just indignation, he broke the tables (Exo_32:19), and burnt the golden calf (Exo_32:20).  V. The examination of Aaron about it (Exo_32:21-24).  VI. Execution done upon the ring-leaders in the idolatry (Exo_32:25-29).  VII. The further intercession Moses made for them, to turn away the wrath of God from them (Exo_32:30-32), and a reprieve granted thereupon, reserving them for a further reckoning (Exo_32:33, etc.). – Henry

Exo 32:1-5
In all probability these three chapters originally formed a distinct composition. The main incidents recorded in them follow in the order of time, and are therefore in their proper place as regards historical sequence.
The golden calf - The people had, to a great extent, lost the patriarchal faith, and were but imperfectly instructed in the reality of a personal unseen God. Being disappointed at the long absence of Moses, they seem to have imagined that he had deluded them, and had probably been destroyed amidst the thunders of the mountain Exo_24:15-18. Accordingly, they gave way to their superstitious fears and fell back upon that form of idolatry which was most familiar to them (see Exo_32:4 note). The narrative of the circumstances is more briefly given by Moses at a later period in one of his addresses to the people Deu_9:8-21, Deu_9:25-29; Deu_10:1-5, Deu_10:8-11. It is worthy of remark, that Josephus, in his very characteristic chapter on the giving of the law, says nothing whatever of this act of apostacy, though he relates that Moses twice ascended the mountain.

Exo_32:1
Unto Aaron - The chief authority during the absence of Moses was committed to Aaron and Hur Exo_24:14.
Make us gods - The substantive אלהים  'elôhîym is plural in form and may denote gods. But according to the Hebrew idiom, the meaning need not be plural, and hence, the word is used as the common designation of the true God (Gen_1:1, etc. See Exo_21:6 note). It here denotes a god, and should be so rendered.

Exo_32:2
Break off the golden earrings - It has been very generally held from early times, that Aaron did not willingly lend himself to the mad design of the multitude; but that, overcome by their importunity, he asked them to give up such possessions as he knew they would not willingly part with, in the hope of putting a check on them. Assuming this to have been his purpose, he took a wrong measure of their fanaticism, for all the people made the sacrifice at once Exo_32:3. His weakness, in any case, was unpardonable and called for the intercession of Moses Deu_9:20.

Exo_32:4
The sense approved by most modern critics is: and he received the gold at their hand and collected it in a bag and made it a molten calf. The Israelites must have been familiar with the ox-worship of the Egyptians; perhaps many of them had witnessed the rites of Mnevis at Heliopolis, almost; on the borders of the land of Goshen, and they could not have been unacquainted with the more famous rites of Apis at Memphis. It is expressly said that they yielded to the idolatry of Egypt while they were in bondage Jos_24:14; Eze_20:8; Eze_23:3, Eze_23:8; and this is in keeping with the earliest Jewish tradition (Philo). In the next verse, Aaron appears to speak of the calf as if it was a representative of Yahweh - “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” The Israelites did not, it should be noted, worship a living Mnevis, or Apis, having a proper name, but only the golden type of the animal. The mystical notions connected with the ox by the Egyptian priests may have possessed their minds, and, when expressed in this modified and less gross manner, may have been applied to the Lord, who had really delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. Their sin then lay, not in their adopting another god, but in their pretending to worship a visible symbol of Him whom no symbol could represent. The close connection between the calves of Jeroboam and this calf is shown by the repetition of the formula, “which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” 1Ki_12:28. –  Barnes

[daniel1212av]

Exo_32:10
Let me alone - But Moses did not let the Lord alone; he wrestled, as Jacob had done, until, like Jacob, he obtained the blessing Gen_32:24-29.

Exo_32:14
This states a fact which was not revealed to Moses until after his second intercession when he had come down from the mountain and witnessed the sin of the people Exo_32:30-34. He was then assured that the Lord’s love to His ancient people would prevail God is said, in the language of Scripture, to “repent,” when His forgiving love is seen by man to blot out the letter of His judgments against sin (2Sa_24:16; Joe_2:13; Jon_3:10, etc.); or when the sin of man seems to human sight to have disappointed the purposes of grace (Gen_6:6; 1Sa_15:35, etc.). The awakened conscience is said to “repent,” when, having felt its sin, it feels also the divine forgiveness: it is at this crisis that God, according to the language of Scripture, repents toward the sinner. Thus, the repentance of God made known in and through the One true Mediator reciprocates the repentance of the returning sinner, and reveals to him atonement.

Exo_32:17-18
Moses does not tell Joshua of the divine communication that had been made to him respecting the apostasy of the people, but only corrects his impression by calling his attention to the kind of noise which they are making.

Exo_32:19
Though Moses had been prepared by the revelation on the Mount, his righteous indignation was stirred up beyond control when the abomination was before his eyes.

Exo_32:20
See Deu_9:21. What is related in this verse must have occupied some time and may have followed the rebuke of Aaron. The act was symbolic, of course. The idol was brought to nothing and the people were made to swallow their own sin (compare Mic_7:13-14).

Exo_32:22
Aaron’s reference to the character of the people, and his manner of stating what he had done Exo. 5:24, are very characteristic of the deprecating language of a weak mind.

Exo_32:23
Make us gods - Make us a god.

Exo_32:25
Naked - Rather unruly, or “licentious”.
Shame among their enemies - Compare Psa_44:13; Psa_79:4; Deu_28:37.

Exo_32:26-29
The tribe of Levi, Moses’ own tribe, now distinguished itself by immediately returning to its allegiance and obeying the call to fight on the side of Yahweh. We need not doubt that the 3,000 who were slain were those who persisted in resisting Moses. The spirit of the narrative forbids us to conceive that the act of the Levites was anything like an indiscriminate massacre. An amnesty had first been offered to all by the words: “Who is on the Lord’s side?” Those who were forward to draw the sword were directed not to spare their closest relations or friends; but this must plainly have been with an understood qualification as regards the conduct of those who were to be slain. Had it not been so, they who were on the Lord’s side would have had to destroy each other. We need not stumble at the bold, simple way in which the statement is made.

Exo_32:29
Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord ... - The margin contains the literal rendering. Our version gives the most probable meaning of the Hebrew, and is supported by the best authority. The Levites were to prove themselves in a special way the servants of Yahweh, in anticipation of their formal consecration as ministers of the sanctuary (compare Deu_10:, by manifesting a self-sacrificing zeal in carrying out the divine command, even upon their nearest relatives.

Exo_32:31
Returned unto the Lord - i. e. again he ascended the mountain.

Exo_32:32
For a similar form of expression, in which the conclusion is left to be supplied by the mind of the reader, see Dan_3:15; Luk_13:9; Luk_19:42; Joh_6:62; Rom_9:22. For the same thought, see Rom_9:3. It is for such as Moses and Paul to realize, and to dare to utter, their readiness to be wholly sacrificed for the sake of those whom God has entrusted to their love. This expresses the perfected idea of the whole burnt-offering.
  Thy book - The figure is taken from the enrolment of the names of citizens. This is its first occurrence in the Scriptures. See the marginal references. and Isa_4:3; Dan_12:1; Luk_10:20; Phi_4:3; Rev_3:5, etc.

Exo_32:33, Exo_32:34
Each offender was to suffer for his own sin. Compare Exo_20:5; Eze_18:4, Eze_18:20. Moses was not to be taken at his word. He was to fulfill his appointed mission of leading on the people toward the land of promise.

Exo_32:34
Mine Angel shall go before thee - See the marginal references and Gen_12:7.
In the day when I visit ... - Compare Num_14:22-24. But though the Lord chastized the individuals, He did not take His blessing from the nation. – Barnes

[def]

Nothing is change and we will be visited by the Lord Angel soon very soon .the churchs are fill of Aaron.

[daniel1212av]

Thanks for your comment.

(Exo 33)  "And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: {2} And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: {3} Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. {4} And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. {5} For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. {6} And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb. {7} And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. {8} And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. {9} And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. {10} And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. {11} And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. {12} And Moses said unto the LORD, 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 is thy people. {14} And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. {15} And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. {16} For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. {17} And the LORD 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 LORD 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 LORD said, Behold, there is 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."

[daniel1212av]

Moses further examples the manner of heart, and especially Pastors ought to have, and the LORD draws nigh unto them that draw nigh unto Him. Moses so treasures the presence of the LORD that he will not leave unless the presence of the LORD goes with him. And in stark contrast to the Israelies, who sought to make God into an visible image like unto corruptible creatures which they could see, Moses seeks to see the Lord's glory, and to him the LORD reveals His goodness. The face is the part of God and of man that most reveals the person, and the face of the LORD man may not see and live. God thus places Moses in a clift of the rock, and  cover him with his hand while he passes by, and Moses sees the back parts of the LORD.

 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."   "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:14, 17). 

Exodus 33 -
In this chapter we have a further account of the mediation of Moses between God and Israel, for the making up of the breach that sin had made between them.  I. He brings a very humbling message from God to them (Exo_33:1-3, Exo_33:5), which has a good effect upon them, and helps to prepare them for mercy (Exo_33:4, Exo_33:6).  II. He settles a correspondence between God and them, and both God and the people signify their approbation of that correspondence, God by descending in a cloudy pillar, and the people by worshipping at the tent doors (Exo_33:7-11).  III. He is earnest with God in prayer, and prevails,  1. For a promise of his presence with the people (Exo_33:12-17).  2. For a sight of his glory for himself (Exo_33:18, etc.). – Henry


Exo 33:1-6 -
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. – MHCC
 
Exo 33:7-11 -
Here is, I. One mark of displeasure put upon them for their further humiliation: Moses took the tabernacle, not his own tent for his family, but the tent wherein he gave audience, heard causes, and enquired of God, the guild-hall (as it were) of their camp, and pitched it without, afar off from the camp (Exo_33:7), to signify to them that they had rendered themselves unworthy of it, and that, unless peace was made, it would return to them no more. God would thus let them know that he was at variance with them: The Lord is far from the wicked. Thus the glory of the Lord departed from the temple when it was polluted with sin, Eze_10:4, Eze_11:23. Note, It is a sign that God is angry when he removes his tabernacle, for his ordinances are fruits of his favour and tokens of his presence; while we have them with us we have him with us. Perhaps this tabernacle was a plan, or model rather, of the tabernacle that was afterwards to be erected, a hasty draught from the pattern shown him in the mount, designed for direction to the workmen, and used, in the mean time, as a tabernacle of meeting between God and Moses about public affairs. This was set up at a distance, to affect the people with the loss of that glorious structure which, if they had not forsaken their own mercies for lying vanities, was to have been set up in the midst of them. Let them see what they had forfeited.

II. Many encouragements give them, notwithstanding, to hope that God would yet be reconciled to them.
1. Though the tabernacle was removed, yet every one that was disposed to seek the Lord was welcome to follow it, Exo_33:7. Private persons, as well as Moses, were invited and encouraged to apply to God, as intercessors upon this occasion. A place was appointed for them to go to without the camp, to solicit God's return to them. Thus when Ezra (a second Moses) interceded for Israel there were assembled to him many that trembled at God's word, Ezr_9:4. When God designs mercy, he stirs up prayer. He will be sought unto (Eze_36:37); and, thanks be to his name, he may be sought unto, and will not reject the intercession of the poorest. Every Israelite that sought the Lord was welcome to this tabernacle, as well as Moses the man of God.

2. Moses undertook to mediate between God and Israel. He went out to the tabernacle, the place of treaty, probably pitched between them and the mount (Exo_33:, and he entered into the tabernacle, Exo_33:9. That cause could not but speed well which had so good a manager; when their judge (under God) becomes their advocate, and he who was appointed to be their law-giver is an intercessor for them, there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.

3. The people seemed to be in a very good mind and well disposed towards a reconciliation. (1.) When Moses went out to go to the tabernacle, the people looked after him (Exo_33:, in token of their respect to him whom before they had slighted, and their entire dependence upon his mediation. By this it appeared that they were very solicitous about this matter, desirous to be at peace with God and concerned to know what would be the issue. Thus the disciples looked after our Lord Jesus, when he ascended on high to enter into the holy place not made with hands, till a cloud received him out of their sight, as Moses here. And we must with an eye of faith follow him likewise thither, where he is appearing in the presence of God for us; then shall we have the benefit of his mediation. (2.) When they saw the cloudy pillar, that symbol of God's presence, give Moses the meeting, they all worshipped, every man at his tent door, Exo_33:10. Thereby they signified, [1.] Their humble adoration of the divine Majesty, which they will ever worship, and not gods of gold any more. [2.] Their joyful thankfulness to God that he was pleased to show them this token for good, and give them hopes of a reconciliation; for, if he had been pleased to kill them, he would not have shown them such things as these, would not have raised them up such a mediator, nor given him such countenance. [3.] Their hearty concurrence with Moses as their advocate in every thing he should promise for them, and their expectation of a 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.

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, Exo_33:9. 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 talked with Moses (Exo_33:9), spoke to him face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Exo_33:11), 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 man to his friend, 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, Moses turned again into the camp, 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 stood at the door (v. 9); but, if God had any thing to say out of that cloud while Moses was absent, Joshua was there, ready to hear it. – Henry

[daniel1212av]

Exo 33:12-17 -
Jehovah had commanded Moses to lead the people to Canaan, and promised him the guidance of an angel; but He had expressly distinguished this angel from His own personal presence (Exo_33:1-3). Moreover, though it has not been mentioned before, Jehovah had said to Moses, “I have known thee by name,” - i.e., I have recognised thee as Mine, and chosen and called thee to execute My will (cf. Isa_43:1; Isa_49:1), or put thee into “a specifically personal relation to God, which was peculiar to Moses, and therefore was associated with his name” (Oehler); - “and thou hast also found grace in My eyes,” inasmuch as God had granted a hearing to his former intercession. Moses now reminded the Lord of this divine assurance with such courage as can only be produced by faith, which wrestles with God and will not let Him go without a blessing (Gen_32:27); and upon the strength of this he presented the petition (Exo_33:13), “Let me know Thy way (the way which Thou wilt take with me and with this people), that I may know Thee, in order that I may find grace in Thine eyes, and see that this people is Thy people.” The meaning is this: If I have found grace in Thy sight, and Thou hast recognised me as Thy servant, and called me to be the leader of this people, do not leave me in uncertainty as to Thine intentions concerning the people, or as to the angel whom Thou wilt give as a guide to me and the nation, that I may know Thee, that is to say, that my finding grace in Thine eyes may become a reality;

(Note: Domine fac ut verbis tuis respondeat eventus. Calvin.)
and if Thou wilt lead the people up to Canaan, consider that it is Thine own people, to whom Thou must acknowledge Thyself as its God. Such boldness of undoubting faith presses to the heart of God, and brings away the blessing. Jehovah replied (Exo_33:14), “My face will go, and I shall give thee rest,” - that is to say, shall bring thee and all this people into the land, where ye will find rest (Deu_3:20). The “face” of Jehovah is Jehovah in His own personal presence, and is identical with the “angel” in whom the name of Jehovah was (Exo_23:20-21), and who is therefore called in Isa_63:9 “the angel of His face.”

   With this assurance on the part of God, the covenant bond was completely restored. But to make more sure of it. Moses replied (Exo_33:15, Exo_33:16), “If Thy face is not going (with us), lead us not up hence. And whereby shall it be known that I have found grace in thine eyes, I and Thy people, if not (lit., is it not known) in Thy going with us, that we, I and Thy people, are distinguished (see at Exo_8:18) before every nation upon the face of the earth?” These words do not express any doubt as to the truth of the divine assurance, “but a certain feeling of the insufficiency of the assurance,” inasmuch as even with the restoration of the former condition of things there still remained “the fear lest the evil root of the people's rebellion, which had once manifested itself, should bread forth again at any moment” (Baumgarten). For this reason Jehovah assured him that this request also should be granted (Exo_33:17). “There was nothing extraordinary in the fact that Moses desired for himself and his people that they might be distinguished before every nation upon the face of the earth; this was merely the firm hold of faith upon the calling and election of God (Exo_19:5-6).” – K+D

Exo 33:12-23 -
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 like seeing a man that is gone by, whose back only is to be seen. God in Christ, as he is, even the fullest and brightest displays of his glory, grace, and goodness, are reserved to another state. – MHCC

[def]

Thanks for your comment.

(Exo 33)  "And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: {2} And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: {3} Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. {4} And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. {5} For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. {6} And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb. {7} And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. {8} And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. {9} And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. {10} And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. {11} And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. {12} And Moses said unto the LORD, 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 is thy people. {14} And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. {15} And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. {16} For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. {17} And the LORD 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 LORD 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 LORD said, Behold, there is 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."

Breath taking thank you...I am holding my KJ right now and reading again verse 19-23 i am so grateful for His goodness and that he chose to shew me mercy ..I don't deserve this and that is when I cry with my all  thank you Jesus  the Lamb of God The Light of the world the Face of God" FACE TO FACE"..well i better stop while I am ahead,love in Jesus,Def

[daniel1212av]

(Exo 34)  "And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. {2} And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. {3} And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. {4} And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. {5} And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. {6} And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, {7} Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. {8} And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. {9} And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. {10} And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. {11} Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. {12} Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: {13} But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: {14} For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: {15} Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; {16} And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. {17} Thou shalt make thee no molten gods. {18} The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt. {19} All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male. {20} But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. {21} Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest. {22} And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end. {23} Thrice in the year shall all your menchildren appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. {24} For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year. {25} Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning. {26} The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. {27} And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. {28} And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. {29} And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. {30} And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. {31} And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. {32} And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. {33} And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. {34} But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. {35} And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him."

[daniel1212av]

Exodus 34 -
God having in the foregoing chapter intimated to Moses his reconciliation to Israel, here gives proofs of it, proceeding to settle his covenant and communion with them. Four instances of the return of his favour we have in this chapter: - I. The orders he gives to Moses to come up to the mount, the next morning, and bring two tables of stone with him (Exo_34:1-4).  II. His meeting him there, and the proclamation of his name (Exo_34:5-9).  III. The instructions he gave him there, and his converse with him for forty days together, without intermission (v. 10-28).  IV. The honour he put upon him when he sent him down with his face shining (Exo_34:29-35). In all this God dealt with Moses as a public person, and mediator between him and Israel, and a type of the great Mediator. – MHCC

Exo 34:1-4
When Moses had restored the covenant bond through his intercession (Exo_33:14), he was directed by Jehovah to hew out two stones, like the former ones which he had broken, and to come with them the next morning up the mountain, and Jehovah would write upon them the same words as upon the first,

(Note: Namely, the ten words in Ex 20:2-17, not the laws contained in Exo_34:12-26 of this chapter, as Göthe and Hitzig suppose. See Hengstenberg, Dissertations ii. p. 319, and Kurtz on the Old Covenant iii. 182ff.)

and thus restore the covenant record. It was also commanded, as in the former case (Exo_19:12-13), that no one should go up the mountain with him, or be seen upon it, and that not even cattle should feed against the mountain, i.e., in the immediate neighbourhood (Exo_34:3). The first tables of the covenant were called “tables of stone” (Exo_24:12; Exo_31:18); the second, on the other hand, which were hewn by Moses, are called “tables of stones” (Exo_34:1 and Exo_34:4); and the latter expression is applied indiscriminately to both of them in Deu_4:13; Deu_5:19; Deu_9:9-11; Deu_10:1-4. This difference does not indicate a diversity in the records, but may be explained very simply from the fact, that the tables prepared by Moses were hewn from two stones, and not both from the same block; whereas all that could be said of the former, which had been made by God Himself, was that they were of stone, since no one knew whether God had used one stone or two for the purpose. There is apparently far more importance in the following distinction, that the second tables were delivered by Moses and only written upon by God, whereas in the case of the former both the writing and the materials came from God. This cannot have been intended either as a punishment for the nation (Hengstenberg), or as “the sign of a higher stage of the covenant, inasmuch as the further the reciprocity extended, the firmer was the covenant” (Baumgarten). It is much more natural to seek for the cause, as Rashi does, in the fact, that Moses had broken the first in pieces; only we must not regard it as a sign that God disapproved of the manifestation of anger on the part of Moses, but rather as a recognition of his zealous exertions for the restoration of the covenant which had been broken by the sin of the nation. As Moses had restored the covenant through his energetic intercession, he should also provide the materials for the renewal of the covenant record, and bring them to God, for Him to complete and confirm the record by writing the covenant words upon the tables. – K+D   

Exo 34:5-9 -
The Lord descended by some open token of his presence and manifestation of his glory in a cloud, and thence proclaimed his NAME; that is, the perfections and character which are denoted by the name JEHOVAH. The Lord God is merciful; ready to forgive the sinner, and to relieve the needy. Gracious; kind, and ready to bestow undeserved benefits. Long-suffering; slow to anger, giving time for repentance, only punishing when it is needful. He is abundant in goodness and truth; even sinners receive the riches of his bounty abundantly, though they abuse them. All he reveals is infallible truth, all he promises is in faithfulness. Keeping mercy for thousands; he continually shows mercy to sinners, and has treasures, which cannot be exhausted, to the end of time. Forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin; his mercy and goodness reach to the full and free forgiveness of sin. And will by no means clear the guilty; the holiness and justice of God are part of his goodness and love towards all his creatures. In Christ's sufferings, the Divine holiness and justice are fully shown, and the evil of sin is made known. God's forgiving mercy is always attended by his converting, sanctifying grace. None are pardoned but those who repent and forsake the allowed practice of every sin; nor shall any escape, who abuse, neglect, or despise this great salvation. Moses bowed down, and worshipped reverently. Every perfection in the name of God, the believer may plead with Him for the forgiveness of his sins, the making holy of his heart, and the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom. – MHCC


Vs. 6, 7 have often been held as a most concise description of the character of Almighty God.  "Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful." (Psa 116:5) . God is characteristically merciful and gracious, but unlike the typical emphasis today, in which grace has become a Christian mantra to excuse our lack of holiness, God is also infinitely holy and perfectly just, and grace is purposed to bring about His holiness in us (Rm. 8:4).  God does indeed make our sins to be felt by others besides , and examples are given in Scripture where children suffered for their parent's (or nation's) sins.  And due to Adam's sin “we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Rm. 8:23).  But it is also true that that sinners benefit due to the goodness of others (Jn. 4:38). However the former is not punishment as if the children were guilty, nor the latter because they themselves were righteous, and those who are lost are lost due to their own  guilt, while those that are saved are only saved on the blood and righteousness of Christ. Only in Him are holiness and justice satisfied  mercy  "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."(Psa 85:10)

Exo 34:10-17 -
The Israelites are commanded to destroy every monument of idolatry, however curious or costly; to refuse all alliance, friendship, or marriage with idolaters, and all idolatrous feasts; and they were reminded not with idolaters, and all idolatrous feats; and they were reminded not to repeat the crime of making molten images. Jealously is called the rage of a man, Pro_6:34; but in God it is holy and just displeasure. Those cannot worship God aright, who do not worship him only. – MHCC

Exo 34:17-26 -
The true way to worship Jehovah is then pointed out, first of all negatively, in the prohibition against making molten images, with an allusion to the worship of the golden calf, as evinced by the use of the expression מסּכה אלהי, which only occurs again in Lev_19:4, instead of the phrase “gods of silver and gold” (Exo_20:23); and then positively, by a command to observe the feast of Mazzoth and the consecration of the first-born connected with the Passover (see at Exo_13:2, Exo_13:11, and Exo_13:12), also the Sabbath (Exo_34:21), the feasts of Weeks and Ingathering, the appearance of the male members of the nation three times a year before the Lord (Exo_34:22, see at Exo_23:14-17), together with all the other instructions connected with them (Exo_34:25, Exo_34:26). Before the last, however, the promise is introduced, that after the expulsion of the Canaanites, Jehovah would enlarge the borders of Israel (cf. Exo_23:31), and make their land so secure, that when they went up to the Lord three times in the year, no one should desire their land, sc., because of the universal dread of the might of their God (Exo_23:27).  – K+D

[daniel1212av]

Exo 34:8-26 - Moses bowed . . . and worshipped--In the East, people bow the head to royalty, and are silent when it passes by, while in the West, they take off their hats and shout. – JFB
 
Exo 34:28-35 -
Near and spiritual communion with God improves the graces of a renewed and holy character. Serious godliness puts a lustre upon a man's countenance, such as commands esteem and affection. The vail which Moses put on, marked the obscurity of that dispensation, compared with the gospel dispensation of the New Testament. It was also an emblem of the natural vail on the hearts of men respecting spiritual things. Also the vail that was and is upon the nation of Israel, which can only be taken away by the Spirit of the Lord showing to them Christ, as the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Fear and unbelief would put the vail before us, they would hinder our free approach to the mercy-seat above. We should spread our wants, temporal and spiritual, fully before our heavenly Father; we should tell him our hinderances, struggles, trails, and temptations; we should acknowledge our offences.

Exo 34:27-35 -
Moses was to write down these words, like the covenant rights and laws that had been given before (Exo_24:4, Exo_24:7), because Jehovah had concluded the covenant with Moses and Israel according to the tenor of them. By the renewed adoption of the nation, the covenant in ch. 24 was eo ipso restored; so that no fresh conclusion of this covenant was necessary, and the writing down of the fundamental conditions of the covenant was merely intended as a proof of its restoration. It does not appear in the least degree “irreconcilable,” therefore, with the writing down of the covenant rights before Knobel).

Exo_34:28
Moses remained upon the mountain forty days, just as on the former occasion (cf. Exo_24:18). “And He (Jehovah) wrote upon the tables the ten covenant words” (see at Exo_34:1).

Exo_34:29-35
The sight of the glory of Jehovah, though only of the back or reflection of it, produced such an effect upon Moses' face, that the skin of it shone, though without Moses observing it. When he came down from the mountain with the tables of the law in his hand, and the skin of his face shone אתּו בּדבּרו, i.e., on account of his talking with God, Aaron and the people were afraid to go near him when they saw the brightness of his face. But Moses called them to him, - Viz. first of all Aaron and the princes of the congregation to speak to them, and then all the people to give them the commandments of Jehovah; but on doing this (Exo_34:33), he put a veil upon (before) his face, and only took it away when he went in before Jehovah to speak with Him, and then, when he came out (from the Lord out of the tabernacle, of course after the 4_444444 of the tabernacle), he made known His commands to the people. But while doing this, he put the veil upon his face again, and always wore it in his ordinary intercourse with the people (Exo_34:34, Exo_34:35). This reflection of the splendour thrown back by the glory of God was henceforth to serve as the most striking proof of the confidential relation in which Moses stood to Jehovah, and to set forth the glory of the office which Moses filled. The Apostle Paul embraces this view in 2Co_3:7., and lays stress upon the fact that the glory was to be done away, which he was quite justified in doing, although nothing is said in the Old Testament about the glory being transient, from the simple fact that Moses died. The apostle refers to it for the purpose of contrasting the perishable glory of the law with the far higher and imperishable glory of the Gospel. At the same time he regards the veil which covered Moses' face as a symbol of the obscuring of the truth revealed in the Old Testament. But this does not exhaust the significance of this splendour. The office could only confer such glory upon the possessor by virtue of the glory of the blessings which it contained, and conveyed to those for whom it was established. Consequently, the brilliant light on Moses' face also set forth the glory of the Old Covenant, and was intended both for Moses and the people as a foresight and pledge of the glory to which Jehovah had called, and would eventually exalt, the people of His possession. – K+D

V. 35: “And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone..” 

(Mark 9:1-8)  "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. {2} And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. {3} And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. {4} And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. {5} And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. {6} For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. {7} And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. {8} And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves."

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:18).

(Psa 84:11)  "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

(Mat 5:16)  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

[daniel1212av]

(Exo 35)  "And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them. {2} Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. {3} Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day. {4} And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, {5} Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, {6} And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, {7} And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and gotcha2tim wood, {8} And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense, {9} And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate. {10} And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded; {11} The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets, {12} The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the veil of the covering, {13} The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the showbread, {14} The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light, {15} And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle, {16} The altar of burnt offering, with his brazen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, {17} The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court, {18} The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords, {19} The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office. {20} And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. {21} And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. {22} And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD. {23} And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them. {24} Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord's offering: and every man, with whom was found gotcha2tim wood for any work of the service, brought it. {25} And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. {26} And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair. {27} And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; {28} And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. {29} The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. {30} And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; {31} And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; {32} And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, {33} And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. {34} And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. {35} Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work."

[daniel1212av]

Exodus 35 -
What should have been said and done upon Moses' coming down the first time from the mount, if the golden calf had not broken the measures and put all into disorder, now at last, when with great difficulty reconciliation was made, begins to be said and done; and that great affair of the setting up of God's worship is put into its former channel again, and goes on now without interruption.  I. Moses gives Israel those instructions, received from God, which required immediate observance.  1. Concerning the sabbath (Exo_35:1-3).  2. Concerning the contribution that was to be made for the erecting of the tabernacle (Exo_35:4-9).  3. Concerning the framing of the tabernacle and the utensils of it (Exo_35:10-19).  II. The people bring in their contributions (Exo_35:20-29).  III. The head-workmen are nominated (Exo_35:30, etc.). – MHCC

Exodus 35 -
Moses assembles the congregation to deliver to them the commandments of God, Exo_35:1. Directions concerning the Sabbath, Exo_35:2, Exo_35:3. Free-will offerings of gold, silver, brass, etc., for the tabernacle, Exo_35:4-7. Of oil and spices, Exo_35:8. Of precious stones, Exo_35:9. Proper artists to be employed, Exo_35:10. The tabernacle and its tent, Exo_35:11. The ark, Exo_35:12. Table of the shew-bread, Exo_35:13. Candlestick, Exo_35:14. Altar of incense, Exo_35:15. Altar of burnt-offering, Exo_35:16. Hangings, pins, etc., Exo_35:17, Exo_35:18. Clothes of service, and holy vestments, Exo_35:19. The people cheerfully bring their ornaments as offerings to the Lord, Exo_35:20-22; together with blue, purple, scarlet, etc., etc., Exo_35:23, Exo_35:24. The women spin, and bring the produce of their skill and industry, Exo_35:25, Exo_35:26. The rulers bring precious stones, etc., Exo_35:27, Exo_35:28. All the people offer willingly, Exo_35:29. Bezaleel and Aholiab appointed to conduct and superintend all the work of the tabernacle, for which they are qualified by the spirit of wisdom, Exo_35:30-35. – Clarke

Vs. 1 – 3:  “And Moses gathered all the congregation..”  Moses has “church” and repeated the principal commandment that was a sign they were God's people, distinct from others for which Sabbath keeping was not enjoined, nor failure thereof punished (unlike purely moral commands). 
 
Vs. 4 – 29:  This was not tithing, but free will type giving: “The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work,... (V. 29a). The parallel to this under the New Covenant is 2 Cor. 8, 9  "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver"  (2 Cor 9:7).

Vs. 30 -35: I have commented on the gifting of Bezaleel the son of Uri before, and here he is joined with Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. These are not only to work but to teach, and i think the gifting speaks of the gifts poured out upon the congregation at large as described in 1 rm. 12 and Cor. 12, which are not for personal glory but in service and praise to God, and must be used by souls of good character, which unlike spiritual charisms is not a gift of the Spirit of God but a fruit.

Exo 35:1-24 -
Preliminaries to the Work. - Ex 35:1-29. After the restoration of the covenant, Moses announced to the people the divine commands with reference to the holy place of the tabernacle which was to be built. He repeated first of all (Exo_35:1-3) the law of the Sabbath according to Exo_31:13-17, and strengthened it by the announcement, that on the Sabbath no fire was to be kindled in their dwelling, because this rule was to be observed even in connection with the work to be done for the tabernacle. (For a fuller comment, see at Exo_20:9.). Then, in accordance with the command of Jehovah, he first of all summoned the whole nation to present freewill-offerings for the holy things to be prepared (Exo_35:4, Exo_35:5), mentioning one by one all the materials that would be required (Exo_35:5-9, as in Exo_25:3-7); and after that he called upon those who were endowed with understanding to prepare the different articles, as prescribed in ch. 25-30, mentioning these also one by one (Exo_35:11-19), even down to the pegs of the dwelling and court (Exo_27:19), and “their cords,” i.e., the cords required to fasten the tent and the hangings round the court to the pegs that were driven into the ground, which had not been mentioned before, being altogether subordinate things. (On the “cloths of service,” Exo_35:19, see at Exo_31:10.) In Exo_35:20-29 we have an account of the fulfilment of this command. The people went from Moses, i.e., from the place where they were assembled round Moses, away to their tents, and willingly offered the things required as a heave-offering for Jehovah; every one “whom his heart lifted up,” i.e., who felt himself inclined and stirred up in his heart to do this. The men along with (על as in Gen_32:12; see Ewald, §217) the women brought with a willing heart all kinds of golden rings and jewellery: chak, lit., hook, here a clasp or ring; nezem, an ear or nose-ring (Gen_35:4; Gen_24:47); tabbaath, a finger-ring; cumaz, globulus aureus, probably little golden balls strung together like beads, which were worn by the Israelites and Midianites (Num_31:50) as an ornament round the wrist and neck, as Diod. Sic. relates that they were by the Arabians (3, 44). “All kinds of golden jewellery, and every one who had waved (dedicated) a wave (offering) of gold to Jehovah,” sc., offered it for the work of the tabernacle. The meaning is, that in addition to the many varieties of golden ornaments, which were willingly offered for the work to be performed, every one brought whatever gold he had set apart as a wave-offering (a sacrificial gift) for Jehovah. הניף to wave, lit., to swing or move to and fro, is used in connection with the sacrificial ritual to denote a peculiar ceremony, through which certain portions of a sacrifice, which were not intended for burning upon the altar, but for the maintenance of the priests (Num_18:11), were consecrated to the Lord, or given up to Him in a symbolical manner (see at Lev_7:30). Tenuphah, the wave-offering, accordingly denoted primarily those portions of the sacrificial animal which were allotted to the priests as their share of the sacrifices; and then, in a more general sense, every gift or offering that was consecrated to the Lord for the establishment and maintenance of the sanctuary and its worship. In this wider sense the term tenuphah (wave-offering) is applied both here and in Exo_38:24, Exo_38:29 to the gold and copper presented by the congregation for the building of the tabernacle. So that it does not really differ from terumah, a lift of heave-offering, as every gift intended for the erection and maintenance of the sanctuary was called, inasmuch as the offerer lifted it off from his own property, to dedicate it to the Lord for the purposes of His worship. Accordingly, in Exo_35:24 the freewill-offerings of the people in silver and gold for the erection of the tabernacle are called terumah; and in Exo_36:6, all the gifts of metal, wood, leather, and woven materials, presented by the people for the erection of the tabernacle, are called קדשׁ תּרוּמת. (On heaving and the heave-offering, see at Exo_25:2 and Lev_2:9.) – K+D

[daniel1212av]

Exo 35:20-29 -
Moses having made known to them the will of God, they went home and immediately put in practice what they had heard, Exo_35:20. O that every congregation would thus depart from the hearing of the word of God, with a full resolution to be doers of the same! Observe here,
I. The offerings that were brought for the service of the tabernacle (Exo_35:21, etc.), concerning which many things may be noted. 1. It is intimated that they brought their offerings immediately; they departed to their tents immediately to fetch their offering, and did not desire time to consider of it, lest their zeal should be cooled by delays. What duty God convinces us of, and calls us to, we should set about speedily. No season will be more convenient than the present season. 2. It is said that their spirits made them willing (Exo_35:21), and their hearts, Exo_35:29. What they did they did cheerfully, and from a good principle. They were willing, and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God and his service, a desire of his presence with them in his ordinances, gratitude for the great things he had done for them, faith in his promise of what he would further do (or, at least, from the present consideration of these things), that they were willing to offer. What we give and do for God is then acceptable when it comes from a good principle in the heart and spirit. 3. When it is said that as many as were willing-hearted brought their offerings (Exo_35:22), it should seem as if there were some who were not, who loved their gold better than their God, and would not part with it, no, not for the service of the tabernacle. Such there are, who will be called Israelites, and yet will not be moved by the equity of the thing, God's expectations from them, and the good examples of those about them, to part with any thing for the interests of God's kingdom: they are for the true religion, provided it be cheap and will cost them nothing. 4. The offerings were of divers kinds, according as they had; those that had gold and precious stones brought them, not thinking any thing too good and too rich to part with for the honour of God. Those that had not precious stones to bring brought goats' hair, and rams' skins. If we cannot do as much as others for God, we must not therefore sit still and do nothing: if the meaner offerings which are according to our ability gain us not such a reputation among men, yet they shall not fail of acceptance with God, who requires according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not, 2Co_8:12; 2Ki_5:23. Two mites from a pauper were more pleasing than so many talents from a Dives. God has an eye to the heart of the giver more than to the value of the gift. 5. Many of the things they offered were their ornaments, bracelets and rings, and tablets or lockets (Exo_35:22); and even the women parted with these. Can a maid forget her ornaments? Thus far they forgot them that they preferred the beautifying of the sanctuary before their own adorning. Let this teach us, in general, to part with that for God, when he calls for it, which is very dear to us, which we value, and value ourselves by; and particularly to lay aside our ornaments, and deny ourselves in them, when either they occasion offence to others or feed our own pride. If we think those gospel rules concerning our clothing too strict (1Ti_2:9, 1Ti_2:10; 1Pe_3:3, 1Pe_3:4), I fear we should scarcely have done as these Israelites did. If they thought their ornaments well bestowed upon the tabernacle, shall not we think the want of ornaments well made up by the graces of the Spirit? Pro_1:9. 6. These rich things that they offered, we may suppose, were mostly the spoils of the Egyptians; for the Israelites in Egypt were kept poor, till they borrowed at parting. And we may suppose the rulers had better things (Exo_35:27), because, having more influence among the Egyptians, they borrowed larger sums. Who would have thought that ever the wealth of Egypt should have been so well employed? but thus God has often made the earth to help the woman, Rev_12:16. It was by a special providence and promise of God that the Israelites got all that spoil, and therefore it was highly fit that they should devote a part of it to the service of that God to whom they owed it all. Let every man give according as God hath prospered him, 1Co_16:2. Extraordinary successes should be acknowledged by extraordinary offerings. Apply it to human learning, arts and sciences, which are borrowed, as it were, from the Egyptians. Those that are enriched with these must devote them to the service of God and his tabernacle: they may be used as helps to understand the scriptures, as ornaments or handmaids to divinity. But then great care must be taken that Egypt's gods mingle not with Egypt's gold. Moses, though learned in all the learning of the Egyptians, did not therefore pretend, in the least instance, to correct the pattern shown him in the mount. The furnishing of the tabernacle with the riches of Egypt was perhaps a good omen to the Gentiles, who, in the fulness of time, should be brought into the gospel tabernacle, and their silver and their gold with them (Isa_60:9), and it should be said, Blessed be Egypt my people, Isa_19:25. 7. We may suppose that the remembrance of the offerings made for the golden calf made them the more forward in these offerings. Those that had then parted with their ear-rings would not testify their repentance by giving the rest of their jewels to the service of God: godly sorrow worketh such a revenge, 2Co_7:11. And those that had kept themselves pure from that idolatry yet argued with themselves, “Were they so forward in contributing to an idol, and shall we be backward or sneaking in our offerings to the Lord?” Thus some good was brought even out of that evil.
II. The work that was done for the service of the tabernacle (Exo_35:25): The women did spin with their hands. Some spun fine work, of blue and purple; others coarse work, of goats' hair, and yet theirs also is said to be done in wisdom, Exo_35:26. As it is not only rich gifts, so it is not only fine work that God accepts. Notice is here taken of the good women's work for God, as well as of Bezaleel's and Aholiab's. The meanest hand for the honour of God, shall have an honourable recompence. Mary's anointing of Christ's head shall be told for a memorial (Mat_26:13); and a record is kept of the women that laboured in the gospel tabernacle (Phi_4:3), and were helpers to Paul in Christ Jesus, Rom_16:3. It is part of the character of the virtuous woman that she layeth her hands to the spindle, Pro_31:19. This employment was here turned to a pious use, as it may be still (though we have no hangings to make for the tabernacle) by the imitation of the charity of Dorcas, who made coats and garments for poor widows, Act_9:39. Even those that are not in a capacity to give in charity may yet work in charity; and thus the poor may relieve the poor, and those that have nothing but their limbs and senses may be very charitable in the labour of love. – Henry

[daniel1212av]

(Exo 36)  "Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded. {2} And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: {3} And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. {4} And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; {5} And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. {6} And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. {7} For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. {8} And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them. {9} The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains were all of one size. {10} And he coupled the five curtains one unto another: and the other five curtains he coupled one unto another. {11} And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. {12} Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another. {13} And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle. {14} And he made curtains of goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them. {15} The length of one curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains were of one size. {16} And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. {17} And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. {18} And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one. {19} And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that. {20} And he made boards for the tabernacle of gotcha2tim wood, standing up. {21} The length of a board was ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half. {22} One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle. {23} And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward: {24} And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. {25} And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards, {26} And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. {27} And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. {28} And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. {29} And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners. {30} And there were eight boards; and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets. {31} And he made bars of gotcha2tim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, {32} And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward. {33} And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other. {34} And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold. {35} And he made a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work. {36} And he made thereunto four pillars of gotcha2tim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver. {37} And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework; {38} And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass."