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Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Cole - This column or ‘pillar’ (literally, a ‘standing’ thing) of cloud, whatever its nature, signified the presence of YHWH, and whenever Moses entered the tent the sign of God’s presence was to be seen. Exodus 40:33, 34 seems to describe the same phenomenon in connection with the completed tent of later chapters, as a sign of God’s ‘residence’ (like the flag over a royal palace) (TOTC-Exodus) and the LORD would speak with Moses - While Jehovah had spoken at the outset from a burning bush (Ex 3:14) and then from the midst of the cloud on Mount Sinai (Ex 31:18) but now from a tent. In about less than a year the nation would leave Mount Sinai, so God had prepared another meeting place that would travel with the nation. The writer of Psalm 99 gives us an interesting insight into holy men of old meeting with God writing Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called on His name; They called upon the LORD and He answered them. 7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; They kept His testimonies And the statute that He gave them. Exodus 33:10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. worship: Ex 4:31 1Ki 8:14,22 Lu 18:13 Exodus 33 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WORSHIP OF THE LIVING GOD When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent - While not all the people went out to the tent of meeting, all did see the glory of God and did respond appropriately. The people of Israel understood that this pillar of cloud was a visible symbol of God’s presence with his people (Ex 13:21). It was like a divine "flag" signaling that Yahweh was present, if not in their midst, at least in their line of sight! When the people saw the cloud, they would know that Moses and the Lord were in communion. How interesting that the same people who had worshiped and bowed down to a lifeless golden calf (Ex 32:8 uses same verb shachah) now willingly worship and bow down to the Living God even though they could not see an image of Him but only a pillar of cloud.
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Cole - God as he is, in all his mystery, we cannot know or comprehend. For a full revelation of what God is like, man must wait until Jesus Christ (John 14:9). There is no contradiction between this and Exodus 24:10+, where the elders ‘saw the God of Israel’ (cf. Gen. 32:30). All they saw was the ‘pavement of sapphire’ that was ‘under his feet’: all that Isaiah saw was the skirt of the royal garments that filled the vast temple courtyard (Isa. 6:1+). (TOTC-Exodus) Currid - That mankind cannot see God in the fulness of his attributes—goodness, immutability, eternality—is taught throughout the Scriptures (see 3:6; Judg. 13:22; Job 13:20). Man’s nature is fallen and unholy; thus he cannot look upon the effulgence of God’s splendour, sinlessness and holiness. Not even the angels can look directly at God (Isa. 6:1–3). (Epsc Exodus Volume 2 ) In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” No man hath seen God at any time,... he hath DECLARED HIM (John 1:18). • The Word... John 1:1. • The Word Was with God... John 1:1. • The Word Was God... John 1:1. • The Word of God... Revelation 19:13. • The Word of Life... 1 John 1:1. • The Word Was Made Flesh... John 1:14. • The Image of God... 2 Corinthians 4:4. • The Image of the Invisible God... Colossians 1:15. • The Express Image of His Person... Hebrews 1:3. • The Brightness of His Glory... Hebrews 1:3. • Wisdom... Proverbs 8:12, 22. • The Wisdom of God... 1 Corinthians 1:24. • The Power of God... 1 Corinthians 1:24. • My Messenger... Isaiah 42:19. • The Messenger of the Covenant... Malachi 3:1. • The Angel of Jehovah... Genesis 22:15. • The Angel of God... Genesis 31:11, 13; Exodus 14:19. • The Angel of His Presence... Isaiah 63:9. WHAT DOES "YOU CANNOT SEE MY FACE" MEAN? Has no man ever seen the uncreated God? This fascinating question is answered with three excerpts taken from Hard Sayings (edited by Walter Kaiser, et al) (1) Exodus 24:9–11 Did Moses and the Elders See God? (go to page 126 in Hard Sayings) The claim that Moses and his company “saw the God of Israel” appears to contradict the flat denials of such a possibility in texts such as Exodus 33:20. John 1:18 affirms that “no one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only [the only Son], who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” Similarly, 1 Timothy 6:16 teaches that God is the one “who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” What are we to believe? Did some see God who is spirit and without form, or did they not? These passages surely look as if they contradict each other. The translators who compiled the Greek version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, were so concerned about any wrong connotations in Exodus 24:9 that they added “in the place where he stood” to the words “they saw the God of Israel.” There is no basis for such an addition, however, except the tendency of this translation to avoid any descriptions of God in terms that are used of human beings (the so-called antianthropomorphic trend of the LXX). Even though Ex 24:10 clearly says that the leaders “saw the God of Israel,” the text does not go on to describe him, any more than did Isaiah when he saw Adonai exalted in the (heavenly) temple (Isaiah 6). The verb used in Ex 24:10 is used of seeing with one’s eyes. Only when we get to verse 11 is there a qualification, for it uses another verb that means “to see in a vision.” Moreover, despite the assertion that Moses and the leaders saw God, the description of what they saw is of what was at his feet, not the appearance of God himself. It could well be that the group was not given permission to lift their faces toward God, but saw only the pavement beneath his feet. Maybe that is what the Greek translators were attempting to get at when they added the above-mentioned phrase. When Moses asked to be shown the glory of God, he was refused on the grounds that humans cannot see the face of God and live (Ex 33:18–20). In the earlier text, since no request to see God’s glory is cited, we must assume that what Moses and his companions experienced was a theophany of the presence of God. Even what little they saw of the setting of God’s presence so humbled and awed them that they apparently flung themselves down in an act of obeisance. Hence, what they saw and reported was no higher than the level of the pavement. In spite of the uniqueness and unnaturalness of this experience, Moses and his companions were not harmed or disciplined by God; he “did not raise his hand” against them (Ex 24:11). But they did experience a special nearness to God as they partook together of a covenantal meal. We conclude that no one has ever seen God except the Son. What Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders experienced was the real presence of God and the place where he stood. When God is said to have shown his “back” or his “face” to anyone, it is an anthropomorphic usage—a description of God in terms used of humans so as to point to a definite reality, but only in ways that approximate that reality. God’s “back” suggests his disapproval, and his “face” suggests his blessing and smile of approval. In no sense can these terms be used to denote any shape or form of God. God remains unseen but mightily able to manifest the reality and majesty of his presence. (2) Exodus 33:18–23 Did Moses See God’s Back? (go to page 128 in Hard Sayings) Is it possible to see God? On the one hand some texts indicate that God was seen. Genesis 32:30 says, “So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face.’” Exodus 24:9–10 likewise teaches that “Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel … saw the God of Israel.” Exodus 33:11 strikes another intimate note: “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” Judges 13:22 states that Manoah said to his wife, “We are doomed to die! … We have seen God!” Again, in Isaiah 6:1, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted.” Finally, Daniel 7:9 affirms, “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire.” All these texts appear to claim that at times God can be seen and was seen. However, there are other passages that appear to argue that it is impossible to see God. Foremost among them is Exodus 33:20. Likewise, Deuteronomy 4:15 warns, “You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire.” Even more to the point is John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” And again in John 5:37, “You have never heard his voice nor seen his form.” Indeed, God is described in 1 Timothy 1:17 as “the King eternal, immortal, invisible,” the one “whom no one has seen or can see” (1 Tim 6:16). To resolve this dilemma, note first that some of these sightings are visions, such as the cases of Isaiah and Daniel. In others the terms for sight stress the directness of access. For instance, in Exodus 24:9–11, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders eat and drink in God’s presence, but they describe only his feet and what he stood on. They were apparently not permitted to look on God’s face. In another instance, Jacob’s access to God is described as being “face to face,” (See discussion of question "With Whom Did Jacob Wrestle?" on page 103 ) similar to Moses’ later friendship with God. (The difference may arise from the way the term face of God was used in various contexts. In one, it expressed familiarity beyond previous visions or divine appearances; in others, it referred to knowledge of God which exceeds our abilities and hopes.) Others, such as Manoah and his wife, experienced a christophany or a theophany, which means an appearance of Christ or God through a vision or a preincarnate appearance. What Moses requests in Exodus 33:18, “Now show me your glory,” was more than the Lord would grant for Moses’ own good. Even so, God allowed his “goodness” to pass in front of Moses and proclaimed his “name” in Moses’ presence. Thus, instead of showing Moses his person or describing his appearance, the Lord gave Moses a description of who he is. The “name” of God included his nature, character (Ps 20:1; Lk 24:47; Jn 1:12), doctrine (Ps 22:22; Jn 17:6, 26) and standards for living righteously (Mic 4:5). Romans 9:15 quotes Exodus 33:19 and applies it to God’s sovereignty. After God proclaims his name and sovereignty, he promises Moses a look at certain of his divine aspects. What these aspects were is still debated—needlessly, when one considers the range of meaning for the word back or the context in which it is used. God placed Moses in a cleft in the rock, apparently a cavelike crevice, and he then caused his glory to pass by. The glory of God refers first and foremost to the sheer weight of the reality of his presence. The presence of God would come near Moses in spatial terms. But Moses would not be able to endure the spectacular purity, luminosity and reality of staring at the raw glory of God himself. Instead, God would protect Moses from accidental (and apparently fatal) sight of that glory. Therefore, in a striking anthropomorphism (a description of the reality of God in terms or analogies understandable to mortals), God would protect Moses from the full effects of looking directly at the glory of God by placing his hand over Moses’ face until all his glory had passed by. That this is a figure of speech is clear from the double effect of God passing by while simultaneously protecting Moses with the divine “hand.” Only after his glory, or presence, had passed by would God remove his gracious, protecting “hand.” Then Moses would view what God had permitted. But what was left for Moses to see? The translators say God’s “back.” But since God is spirit (Is 31:3; Jn 4:24) and formless, what would this refer to? The word back can as easily be rendered the “after effects” of the glory that had passed by. This would fit the context as well as the range of meanings for the Hebrew word used. Moses did not see the glory of God directly, but once it had gone past, God did allow him to view the results, the afterglow, that his presence had produced. (3) John 1:18 No One Has Ever Seen God? (go to page 458 in Hard Sayings) This verse is clearly saying that no one has ever seen God, but in Exodus 33:20 we read, “You cannot see my face … and live,” and in Exodus 24:11, “They saw God, and they ate and drank.” How can John claim that no one has ever seen God when the Old Testament text indicates that people did see God on at least two occasions? First, notice that even the Old Testament indicates that no one has seen the face of God: “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Ex 33:20). It is in this context that the two theophanies occur. In the earlier theophany it appears that what the elders see is “a pavement made of sapphire” (which will appear again in the early chapters of Ezekiel as the floor of the divine chariot). No form is seen, although they may have had some awareness of a Being above the pavement. In this sense they “saw God” but apparently did not see his “face.” In the later theophany Moses asks to see God’s “glory” (Ex 33:18). In the view of the author of Exodus, he is asking for more than what he saw along with the elders of Israel. God grants more, but not all that Moses asks for. The only experience God will allow is for Moses to be hidden while God passes by and declares his character audibly; then Moses will get to see God’s “back,” which some commentators identify with an “afterglow,” but which could mean the back side of a retreating form (in Near Eastern fashion this would be shrouded with clothing so only an outline would be visible). Even this experience is so powerful that Moses’ face glows afterward (Ex 34:29). John is clearly contrasting Jesus with Moses (Jn 1:17; Moses’ theophany was at the giving of the law), but even later theophanies in the Old Testament do not contradict our observation. Isaiah has some awareness of a throne and a being on it, but the only things that he can describe are the hem of God’s “robe” and the seraphim who are associated with him (Is 6:1–5). Ezekiel in a vision sees a form on a throne (Ezek 1:26–28), but there is no face and no features, only burning fire in a vaguely human shape. The face of God is never seen. Now we can understand what John is saying. The Word is with God (Jn 1:1), and the image implied in the preposition is the face-to-face position of equals. What is more, the Word is what God is (as we noted in the previous chapter). Now the Word becomes a human being (“flesh,” Jn 1:14), and he has a “glory” or character or reputation which is that of one who is exactly like his Father, full of grace and truth (which are Greek equivalents of “love and faithfulness” of Ex 34:6). So Moses brought law from God (Jn 1:17), but Jesus brought the very character of the Father to us. Thus while no one has ever seen God, Jesus makes him known with an accuracy brought about by his being in the most intimate contact with him (“at the Father’s side” in the NIV or, better, “in the bosom of the Father” [RSV]). They may have seen a form or outline in the Old Testament, but Jesus, the Word incarnate, has not only seen the Father face to face, but has also looked into his soul and contains within himself his very character. This is an important theological point. Ever since Marcion in the second century there have been those who contrast the distant and harsh Father with the gracious and kind Son. The Father seems to be law and the Son grace. The Father seems to be difficult or impossible to relate to, apparently existing without feeling, and the Son seems to be caring and even warm and friendly. This contrast is entirely false. What John is saying is that if we want to find out what the Father is like, we only have to look at the Son. The “love and faithfulness” we see in Jesus is the “love and faithfulness” of the Father. The kindness we see in Jesus is the kindness of the Father. The healing we seen in Jesus is his doing the works of the Father (Jn 5:19). In sum, Jesus is the place where we get our best view of the face of the Father; in Jesus we can see what the Father’s heart is really like. When this truth sinks into our heart, many of us will receive a renewed vision of the Father and thus develop a new love for and intimacy with God. QUESTION - Did Moses see God? ANSWER - In Exodus 33:20, God tells Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.” However, earlier, in Exodus 33:11, we read, “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” So, did Moses see God, and if so, how did he live? Also, how does this agree with John 1:18, which says, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son”? In Exodus 33:18, Moses asks God, “Please show me your glory.” God responds, “‘I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’ Then the Lord said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.’” (Exodus 33:19–23). So, clearly, Moses never truly or fully saw God. What, then, does Exodus 33:11 mean by saying God and Moses spoke “face to face”? Since God is spirit (John 4:24), He does not truly have a “face.” Exodus 33:11 is simply saying that God and Moses had a close relationship. They were in harmony with each other, just as close friends are. God and Moses were not literally face to face, but their relationship and communication was very much like two people who spoke to one another as close friends would. While God can appear in human form (or in other physical form) if He wants to, He is, in His essence, not a physical being. Many people in the Bible witnessed theophanies, or appearances of God. No one, though, other than Jesus Christ (John 1:18), has seen God in all of His glory. Even the seraphim in heaven cover their eyes as they worship God (Isaiah 6:1–4). GotQuestions.org QUESTION - Has anyone ever seen God? ANSWER - The Bible tells us that no one has ever seen God (John 1:18) except the Lord Jesus Christ. In Exodus 33:20, God declares, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” These Scriptures seem to contradict other Scriptures which describe various people “seeing” God. For example, Exodus 33:11 describes Moses speaking to God “face to face.” How could Moses speak with God “face to face” if no one can see God’s face and live? In this instance, the phrase “face to face” is a figure of speech indicating they were in very close communion. God and Moses were speaking to each other as if they were two human beings having a close conversation. In Genesis 32:30, Jacob saw God appearing as a man; he did not truly see God. Samson’s parents were terrified when they realized they had seen God (Judges 13:22), but they had only seen Him appearing as an angel. Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14) so when people saw Him, they were seeing God. So, yes, God can be “seen” and many people have “seen” God. At the same time, no one has ever seen God revealed in all His glory. In our fallen human condition, if God were to fully reveal Himself to us, we would be consumed and destroyed. Therefore, God veils Himself and appears in forms in which we can “see” Him. However, this is different than seeing God with all His glory and holiness displayed. People have seen visions of God, images of God, and appearances of God, but no one has ever seen God in all His fullness (Exodus 33:20).GotQuestions.org Related Resources: If Moses met face to face with God, why, later, was he not allowed to see God’s face? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that God is spirit? | GotQuestions.org Why was God so evident in the Bible, and seems so hidden today? | GotQuestions.org What is an epiphany? | GotQuestions.org What is a theophany? What is a Christophany? | GotQuestions.org Who were the three men who visited Abraham in Genesis 18? | GotQuestions.org Did God literally and visibly walk in the garden (Genesis 3:8)? | GotQuestions.org Exodus 33:21 Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; NET Exodus 33:21 The LORD said, "Here is a place by me; you will station yourself on a rock. NLT Exodus 33:21 The LORD continued, "Look, stand near me on this rock. ESV Exodus 33:21 And the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, NIV Exodus 33:21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. KJV Exodus 33:21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: LXE Exodus 33:21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me: thou shalt stand upon the rock; ASV Exodus 33:21 and Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock: CSB Exodus 33:21 The LORD said, "Here is a place near Me. You are to stand on the rock, NKJ Exodus 33:21 And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. NRS Exodus 33:21 And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; YLT Exodus 33:21 Jehovah also saith, 'Lo, a place is by Me, and thou hast stood on the rock, place by: De 5:31 Jos 20:4 Isa 56:5 Zec 3:7 Lu 15:1 Exodus 33 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock - God was about to reveal Himself to Moses in a unique way. God prepared the event carefully, giving Moses a specific place to stand. THOUGHT - Beloved disciple, this is alsom how we will see His glory by standing on the rock, for Jesus said "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell–and great was its fall.” (Matt 7:24–27+). Exodus 33:22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. NET Exodus 33:22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and will cover you with my hand while I pass by. NLT Exodus 33:22 As 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. ESV Exodus 33:22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. NIV Exodus 33:22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. KJV Exodus 33:22 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: LXE Exodus 33:22 and when my glory shall pass by, then I will put thee into a hole of the rock; and I will cover thee over with my hand, until I shall have passed by. ASV Exodus 33:22 and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand until I have passed by: CSB Exodus 33:22 and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. NKJ Exodus 33:22 "So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. NRS Exodus 33:22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; YLT Exodus 33:22 and it hath come to pass, in the passing by of Mine honour, that I have set thee in a cleft of the rock, and spread out My hands over thee, until My passing by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock: Ps 18:2 Song 2:3 Isa 2:21 32:2 1Co 10:4 2Co 5:19 cover thee: De 33:12 Ps 91:1,4 Exodus 33 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PROTECTED BY THE CLEFT AND GOD'S HAND and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by - God will protect Moses from full view which would kill him. He does it two ways (1) cleft of rock and (2) cover with His hand (an anthropomorphism). THOUGHT - Jesus is our Rock of salvation. We are hidden now in Him, in the "cleft of the rock" so to speak. The fact that we are in Christ our Rock keeps us safe from being destroyed by the glory of God which otherwise we could not endure. There are two Hebrew words for ROCK, (1) TSUR (70x) which speaks of a rock that can range from the size of a pebble to the size of a boulder and (2) SELA (54x) which generally describes a larger rock such as a crag (steep rugged rock), a cliff or a mountainside. Approximately 50% (62 of 124) of the OT uses of ROCK are metaphorical and in some way picture Jehovah. Play Maranatha's Rock of My Salvation. Related Resources: Jesus - Rock of Our Salvation Christ Our Rock Christ Our Rock of Refuge Christ Our Rock of Refuge-2 Currid - Moses does not see God in all his fulness. This serves as a physical symbol of a theological reality, which is that mankind can only partially perceive and discern the attributes of God. Humanity cannot comprehend his essential nature. (Epsc Exodus Volume 2 )
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Cole - Exodus - TOTC John Currid - Epsc Exodus Volume 1 (1-18) John Currid - Epsc Exodus Volume 2 (19-40) Victor Hamilton - Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary John Hannah - The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Old Testament:) Walter Kaiser - Exodus -The Expositor's Bible Commentary John Mackay - Exodus: A Mentor Commentary Rod Mattoon - Treasures from Exodus Philip Ryken - Preaching the Word-Exodus Douglas Stuart - Exodus - An Exegetical and Theological Commentary (NAC Series) Warren