Exodus 33

The Tent of Meeting

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.

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.