Exodus 33:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Moses pleads initially for God to withdraw His threat of annihilation against His people, and subsequently for the pardon of their transgressions. The Lord responded that the individual who sins would face retribution, rather than the entire nation. However, He assured that His angel would accompany the Israelites. In the continuation of this chapter, the testing of the people persists until they demonstrate genuine repentance and sorrow, thus re-entering the covenant with Jehovah, which they had previously violated through idolatry. The Lord affirms His commitment to fulfill all His promises to them: His angel will guide Israel, and God will expel the adversarial nations from the land destined for His people.