Exodus 33:16
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. 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.
After Israel's sin with the golden calf, Moses pleads that God himself will go with him and his people, feeling his own unworthiness and unfitness, the stubbornness of the people, and the fearful result if God should leave them to hardness and darkness. He refuses to lead onward or continue the journey to Canaan without that presence, and will not stop pleading even after the promise of rest because he wants to know the invisible Leader more fully. God's going with them is what makes known here and now that they have found grace and favor in his sight, his presence among them being the evidence, sign and mark of that grace. That same presence is what separates and sets them apart from all the people on the face of the earth, giving them their distinct identity and mission, not from any greatness of their own. For leaders and workers that assured presence is worth more than the learning of Egypt or all skill in military science, and for the people the distinction must be kept in practice by faithful service and not mingling with the world, especially in the last days.
Moses' Plea for Presence
After Israel's sin in worshiping the golden calf, the plea is that God himself would go with Moses and his people. He felt the perversity and stiff-necked character of the people, the difficulties before him, and the responsibility of leading Israel out of Egypt. He felt his own unworthiness and unfitness for his calling, with keen remorse over their sin as if he himself were guilty. He feared the terrible result if God gave them up to darkness, hardness and impenitence.
He refused to go forward, to lead onward, or to continue the journey to Canaan without God's presence, insisting he must have an answer to prayer. He would not stop pleading even after the promise of presence and rest, because he desired to become more thoroughly acquainted with the invisible Leader. He had no faith the people would gain victories if separated from God, and would not go before the people unless the Lord went with him.
His pleading was unselfish and step by step, refusing to separate his own case from the people's. He took Israel with him, encircling them with the arm of faith and holding both together before the Lord, without picking up everything objectionable to dwell on it. God accepted the plea and promised to do this thing also that he had spoken, because he had found grace in God's sight and was known by name.
He had been prepared for that presence by forty years in the wilderness putting away self to make room for God, and had learned that to have influence with the people he must first have power with God. He cast himself and all his burdens fully upon God, poured out his soul with intense earnestness, and brought his fear and burden directly to God rather than relying on human wisdom, which strengthened his fainting heart. The verse thus holds open to man intimate communion with God face to face as a friend, given for sincerity and unselfish purpose, with the soul in harmony with his will and unafraid to be alone with him, in contrast to the fearfulness of the transgressor falling into the hands of the living God.
God heard the prayer and answered with the promise, I will go with thee, that his presence would go with him and give rest, with the token of his presence continuing to direct their journeyings. Moses still waited unsatisfied, knowing he did not yet have all of God's presence and desiring it, and said, Show me thy glory. So God put him in the cleft of a rock and made his goodness pass before him, giving what he wanted and needed to then carry that goodness to the world. The one speaking with Moses, concealed in the pillar of cloud, was the only begotten Son of God.
Presence Proves Grace Apart
God going with Moses and his people is what makes known here and at this present time that they have found grace and favor in his sight. His presence with them and among them is the evidence, sign, token and mark of that grace. It is only by his going with them that this favor is proved.
That same going with them is what separates them and sets them apart, distinguishing Moses and Israel from all the people upon the face of the earth. It gives them their distinct identity and mission, and their distinction came from God's presence among them, not from their own greatness.
The token of that presence resting on the tabernacle, shown by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, assures the people that God is near and directs their journeyings. Those visible signs of guidance remind the people that God is directing them and is near. They give Moses a continual reminder he can point to as he leads the people and urges and influences them to do what is right.
For leaders and workers, that assurance of answered prayer and attending divine presence is worth more than the learning of Egypt or all attainments in military science, since no earthly power or skill or learning can supply its place. The real object of preparation for successful missionary work is securing God's presence, not being sunk in a variety of studies or long years of preparation beyond what is absolutely necessary, for God does not want his workers to meet the opposition Satan devises without it. In trouble, discouragement and perplexity they must go right to Christ the Fountain Head for strength instead of reaching out to human agencies. They must go to God with just such faith as those standing on the borders of the eternal world, determined to know more of him, gathering rays of divine glory to press back darkness, trusting he will walk in their midst with power and give power to work for souls.
For the people, the distinction must be preserved and lived out in practice through faithful service to God rather than conformity to the world, by following the Lord through whatever test comes. In the last days his people must preserve this distinction by not mingling with the world, lest like ancient Israel they lose the signs of being his chosen people and bring judgment on themselves when they depart from him. Those who faithfully seek God are to guard their charge, avoid drawing others into worldly customs and selfish gratification, teach them to serve God wholeheartedly, and protect sacred trusts and uphold right principles in his work.