QT 5/7/2026 Exo 33:7-11, Seeking God despite obstacles

Exodus 33:7–11 (ESV) —

7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. 9 When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

 

NOTE: I was wrong about a previous comment where I mentioned Moses meeting with God in the tabernacle. It is possible that was always the intent, but after the golden calf incident, part of God's judgment was not to "travel" with the people. And so a meeting place had to be placed outside the camp. All these actions are a reminder of God's holiness and the consequence of sin.

 

I note that the pillar of cloud would descend to the tent of meeting outside the camp when God met with Moses. It could be that the pillar of cloud represented God's presence and it was no longer in the camp but rather above the camp. So, that was also a visual reminder of the seriousness of sin.

 

I can't imagine how much of an impact it was on Joshua, hearing God speak to Moses in the tent. It says he wouldn't leave, which I am sure is a common language hyperbole (He ate and performed other tasks as well, but he dwelt near the presence of God as long as he could).

 

So what do we learn? Actions have consequences (the removal of meeting from in the camp to the outside because of the golden calf), but individuals who are driven by a heart for God can overcome the obstacles to be near God. God is looking for those with a heart after him -- Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, …, Paul.

 

PONDER:

1. What do I seek out of life -- the things of life or the person who created life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I don't want to get caught up in things or luxury. Give me wisdom to see the difference.