The Tent of Meeting
Exodus 33:7-11
Understanding Series
by James K. Bruckner

Crisis: Will Yahweh Go with Them?: Following Moses’ discovery of the golden calf, Moses and the Lord engaged in conversation as God decided what to do (v. 5). The primary question was whether the Lord would continue to go with them personally (vv. 3, 5, 12, 14–16; see also 34:9). Exodus 32 had ended with the Lord’s immediate negative reaction to their betrayal (32:33–34). God initially decides not to go with them, but two realities, described in the first half of Exodus 33, turn the conversation: the people’s demonstration of repentance; and Moses’ close relationship with the Lord. In the second half of Exodus 33, Moses intercedes further and the Lord decides to go with them and promises to reveal God’s glory and goodness. The following outline reveals the developments in these relationshi…

Baker Publishing Group, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series, by James K. Bruckner