Reading Plan · Day 27
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Exodus 31-33
Day 27
Previously · Day 26 · Exodus 28-30
The previous day's reading covered God's instructions to Moses concerning the dress of the priesthood, ceremonies, rites, and implements used within the tabernacle. Moses and Joshua went up to the mount with God for forty days and forty nights. The next chapter concluded what God stated during that time and then we will find out what the people did during that same forty days and forty nights.
Day 27 Read
Where You Stopped
Exodus 31
1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 2See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
Commentary · verses 1-2
3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
3And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Commentary · verse 3
Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God.
4to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.
4To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Commentary · verses 4-5
Bezalel was a master craftsman.
6And I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee:
6And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
Commentary · verse 6
Oholiab was Bezalel's chief helper.
Doctrines on this passage
Commentary · verses 7-11
Verses 7-11: the list of items to be built in the construction of the tabernacle, including its furnishings.
7the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the Tent, 8and the table and its vessels, and the pure candlestick with all its vessels, and the altar of incense, 9and the altar of burnt-offering with all its vessels, and the laver and its base, 10and the finely wrought garments, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office, 11and the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
7The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
8And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
9And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
10And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,
11And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
Commentary · verse 11
Talk about master craftsmen, they made everything.
Commentary · verses 12-17
Verses 12-17: the command to respect the Sabbath.
12And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 13Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you.
12And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
Commentary · verse 13
The Sabbath was a sign to the people to remind them that God had sanctified them. For six days people could be a first cause. People could do what they wanted to do (work) as long as it did not violate God's Laws. On the seventh day, the people were to rest from their work, they were to cease from their occupation of being a first cause, just as God did in Genesis 2:1-3. On the seventh day, they allowed God's Laws to be the first cause and guide their actions. On the Sabbath, a person could only do what God's Laws told him to do.
14Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
14Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Commentary · verse 18
The tables of stone were written by the Finger of God. Next, we will see what the people did during the forty days and forty nights Moses and Joshua were on the mount with God.
Where You Stopped
Exodus 32
1And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from 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 know not what is become of him.
1And 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.
Commentary · verse 1
The people asked for idols and wanted to leave Moses.
2And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
3And all the people brake off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4And he received it at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it a molten calf: and they said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2And 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.
3And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4And 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.
Commentary · verses 2-4
Aaron made a golden calf. The people chose that as their god.
5And when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To-morrow shall be a feast to Jehovah.
6And 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.
5And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
6And 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.
Commentary · verses 5-6
The people "rose up to play." Notice, this was work and it was not rest. Paul referenced this verse in 1 Corinthians 10:7.
7And Jehovah spake unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, that thou broughtest up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8they 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 unto it, and said, These are thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
7And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
8They 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.
Commentary · verses 7-8
No wonder God was taking them the long way to the Promised Land. The people were still very immature. They "turned aside quickly," away from God's commands.
9And Jehovah said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10now 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.
9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
10Now 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.
Commentary · verses 9-10
God's Will was to wipe them out and make of Moses a great nation. This was because Moses was Just before God; Moses had enough reward/value from Justice to begin a new nation.
11And Moses besought Jehovah his God, and said, Jehovah, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, that thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, saying, For evil did he bring them forth, 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.
11And 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?
12Wherefore 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.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Moses approached God by first asking two questions. Then Moses told God to repent of the evil He thought to do, to turn from the destruction God justly wanted to do. Moses did not want to use his reward/value to create a new nation. This was Moses' choice and it was in opposition to God's Will.
13Remember 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.
14And Jehovah repented of the evil which he said he would do unto his people.
13Remember 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.
14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Commentary · verses 13-14
GOD changed his mind in response to Moses' questions and Moses' request that God remember.
15And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand; tables that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
15And 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.
Commentary · verse 15
The tables were written on both sides.
16And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
17And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
16And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
17And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
Commentary · verses 16-17
Joshua was with Moses and said he heard sounds of war. Imagine how loud the people must have been for Joshua to think this!
18And 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.
18And 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.
Commentary · verse 18
Moses said it was not for victory or defeat but singing.
19And 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.
19And 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.
Commentary · verse 19
When Moses brought the Ten Commandments into the presence of the people, this formally began the 5th Dispensation: The Law. However, Moses then threw the tables and broke them. Moses was on the mount confirming the Covenant with God and then broke the confirmation of that Covenant. This meant he would need a second confirmation of this Covenant if it continued. This was similar to God forming His first Covenant with Abram and then forming the everlasting Covenant with Abraham.
20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
Commentary · verse 20
The Israelites had to drink the golden calf. The gold was ground into powder and strewed (dispersed/mixed) with water. This was done as a punishment for the Israelites in response to their idolatry.
21And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?
22And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on evil.
23For 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 know not what is become of him.
24And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off: so they gave it me; and I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
21And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
22And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
23For 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.
24And 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.
Commentary · verses 21-24
Aaron said a calf just came out of the fire. Aaron lied. Verse 4 showed that Aaron himself "fashioned it with a graving tool." Throughout Genesis, every time someone was proven to be in sin, they admitted it: Adam, Eve, Cain, Judah, etc. However, since the beginning of the Book of Exodus, we see that people can be proven to be in sin and they chose to rationalize their sin instead of admit it. Pharaoh was repeatedly proven wrong and he responded by justifying himself. Here, Aaron justified himself as well.
25And when Moses saw that the people were broken loose, (for Aaron had let them loose for a derision among their enemies,) 26then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Whoso is on Jehovah’s side, let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
25And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
26Then 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.
Commentary · verses 25-26
The sons of Levi sided with Moses.
27And he said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Put ye every man his sword upon his thigh, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.
28And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
27And 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.
28And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
Commentary · verses 27-28
The 5th Dispensation began with 3000 people dying. Notice, the 6th Dispensation began on Pentecost and Acts 2:41 stated 3000 souls were saved that day. The beginning of the Dispensation of the Law brought death to 3000 people, while the beginning of the Dispensation of Grace brought eternal life to 3000 people.
29And Moses said, Consecrate yourselves to-day to Jehovah, yea, every man against his son, and against his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
30And 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 Jehovah; peradventure I shall make atonement for your sin.
31And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
29For 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.
30And 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.
31And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Commentary · verses 29-32
Moses put Aaron's sin on his own head. Moses attempted to spend some of the reward/value that was due him.
33And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Commentary · verse 33
God did not let Moses spend his reward/value for the salvation of others. Salvation is only between God and the individual.
34And 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.
35And Jehovah smote the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.
34Therefore 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.
35And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.
Commentary · verses 34-35
God justly smote/plagued the people because of what they did. God did not respond to Aaron as a person but approached Aaron from the perspective of his office.
Where You Stopped
Exodus 33
1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, Depart, go up hence, thou and the people that thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land of which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: 2and 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: 3unto 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.
4And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
1And 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:
2And 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:
3Unto 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.
4And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
Commentary · verses 1-4
God told Moses the plan. Even though it was a good result, the HOW (God not being in the midst) and WHY (people were stiffnecked and would end up dead if God went with them) caused the people to mourn.
5And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people; if I go up into the midst of thee for one moment, I shall consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.
6And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments from mount Horeb onward.
5For 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.
6And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.
Commentary · verses 7-11
Verses 7-11: Moses led the nation in worship.
7Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it without the camp, afar off from the camp; and he called it, The tent of meeting. And it came to pass, that every one that sought Jehovah went out unto the tent of meeting, which was without the camp.
8And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the Tent, that all the people rose up, and stood, every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the Tent.
9And it came to pass, when Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, and stood at the door of the Tent: and Jehovah spake with Moses.
7And 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.
8And 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.
9And 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.
Commentary · verse 9
God talked to Moses and everyone was aware of it. Aaron was not involved. Was this a demotion for Aaron?
10And all the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Tent: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man at his tent door.
10And 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.
Commentary · verse 10
All the people worshipped.
11And Jehovah spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the Tent.
11And 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.
Commentary · verse 11
God spoke to Moses face to face as to a friend. Joshua was present. Was this a "promotion" for Joshua?
12And Moses said unto Jehovah, 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 favor in my sight.
13Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
12And 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.
13Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew 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.
Commentary · verses 12-13
Although Moses interacted with God as a friend, it was not enough. Moses wanted to know God more.
14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
16For wherein now shall it be known that I have found favor in thy sight, I and thy people? is it not in that thou goest with us, so that we are separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth?
17And Jehovah said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found favor in my sight, and I know thee by name.
14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
16For 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.
17And 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.
Commentary · verses 14-17
Moses wanted to know God was with him or he did not want to carry out the plan. The Lord agreed to do what Moses had spoken.
18And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory.
18And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
Commentary · verse 18
Moses wanted to see God's Glory: His weightiness, power, majesty, splendor, honor, riches, authority. God's Glory becomes manifest as an effect of His agreement. God's Glory is a form of confirmation.
19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
19And 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 shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
Commentary · verse 19
Paul referenced this verse in Romans 9:15.
Doctrines on this passage
20And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live.
20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Commentary · verse 20
Moses did not see God's Face.
21And Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock: 22and 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: 23and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen.
21And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
22And 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:
23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
Commentary · verses 21-23
Moses did see God's Back.
Commentary · verse 23
This day's reading covered the conclusion of God's instructions to Moses during the forty days and forty nights Moses and Joshua were on the mount. When Moses returned he found the people were worshipping a golden calf that Aaron had made. God's Will was to destroy the people and make a new nation for Moses. Moses changed God's Mind by approaching God the way God approached others. From that time on, Moses spoke with God as a friend and saw God's Glory.
Bezalel was the craftsman. "Bezalel" meant "in the shadow (i.e. protection) of God."