Exodus 33:15

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not [with me], carry us not up hence.

And he said {H559} unto him, If thy presence {H6440} go {H1980} not with me, carry us not up {H5927} hence.

Moshe replied, "If your presence doesn't go with us, don't make us go on from here.

“If Your Presence does not go with us,” Moses replied, “do not lead us up from here.

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 33:15 is a pivotal moment in the narrative following the devastating golden calf incident. After the Israelites' egregious idolatry, God's wrath was kindled, and He threatened to withdraw His personal presence from them on their journey to the Promised Land, offering instead to send an angel (Exodus 33:2-3). Moses, however, interceded passionately for the people, pleading for God's mercy and, crucially, for His continued presence (Exodus 33:12-13). This verse captures Moses' resolute response to God's renewed promise to go with them, emphasizing that without God's direct involvement, the entire venture is meaningless.

Key Themes

  • The Indispensability of God's Presence: Moses understood that the success and blessing of their journey depended entirely on God Himself, not on human strength, military might, or even angelic assistance. His declaration highlights that God's personal involvement is the ultimate assurance of safety and guidance.
  • Profound Dependence on God: This verse beautifully illustrates a leader's absolute reliance on the Divine. Moses was not willing to take a single step further without the explicit assurance of God's accompanying presence, demonstrating true humility and faith.
  • True Security and Identity: For Moses, God's presence was not just about protection; it was about the very identity of Israel as a distinct people. As he states in Exodus 33:16, it is God's presence that sets them apart from all other nations.

Linguistic Insight

The key phrase "thy presence" comes from the Hebrew word panim (פָּנִים), which literally means "face." When referring to God, it signifies His personal, direct, and intimate presence and favor. Moses is not asking for a general divine oversight or an indirect blessing, but for God's very "face" or personal self to go with them, indicating a desire for a deep, relational connection and active guidance.

Practical Application

Exodus 33:15 remains profoundly relevant for believers today:

  • Prioritizing God's Presence: Like Moses, we should recognize that all our endeavors, whether personal, professional, or spiritual, are futile without God's active presence and blessing. We must seek His guidance and companionship above all else.
  • Dependence in Leadership: For those in leadership roles, this verse is a potent reminder that true success comes not from strategic brilliance or human power, but from God's leading. A leader's greatest asset is God's accompanying presence.
  • A Call to Intimacy: Moses' insistence on God's "presence" (His panim) speaks to a desire for intimate relationship. We are called to seek God's face, to walk in fellowship with Him, and to rely on His personal guidance, much like Christ's promise to be with His disciples always.
  • Avoiding Presumption: This verse serves as a warning against moving forward presumptuously without God's clear leading. If God's presence is not with us, we should pause and re-evaluate our path.

Moses' bold declaration encapsulates a timeless truth: the journey is meaningless, and the destination unattainable in any meaningful sense, if God Himself is not leading the way.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 34:9 (13 votes)

    And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it [is] a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

  • Exodus 33:3 (8 votes)

    Unto 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.

  • Psalms 4:6 (7 votes)

    ¶ [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.