Exodus 33:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As Moses and the Israelites faced profound grief, an even greater anguish descended upon them. The Lord warned that He would no longer journey with them, choosing instead to assign an angel as their guide, a scenario that Moses found unbearable. He implored God, saying, “If Thou go not Thyself with us, neither lead us out.” Observe how one form of fear supplanted another, and sorrow was compounded upon sorrow. This reflection also relates to Stagirius the ascetic, who spoke about despondency.

What was in Moses' mind? He realized that the people were sinners in need of forgiveness, something beyond the capability of angels. While angels may execute judgment upon wrongdoing, they do not possess the authority to grant pardon. Therefore, he implores that God Himself intervene, echoing his earlier plea, “Choose another who is able, after him.”

He earnestly requested that a leader not be appointed from among servants like them, but that the Lord Himself would guide them.

In the realm of diversity, there exists variation, distinction, and disparity. However, to transcend this multiplicity and connect with the Divine, the One and Only, is to elevate oneself to the contemplation of God. This principle is exemplified by Moses, who constructed the inner tabernacle of his mind from the depths of his being and engaged in conversation with God. It is unwise to attempt to express the inexpressible through spoken language, as words inherently involve duality and more. It is far more fitting to perceive matters without sound, with a unified spirit, for then one remains in an indivisible oneness rather than in multitude.

While the Lord was inclined to Moses' plea for Him to lead Israel, Moses, with renewed fervor, brings forth the same request, emphasizing that it would be preferable for him and his people to dwell in the wilderness, devoid of any promise of entering the Promised Land, than to journey without the Lord as their guide. What accounts for this persistence? It is believed that Moses aimed to ensure God’s favor upon the Israelites, even if they were to stray into serious wrongdoing once more. It was insufficient for Moses to know that the Lord had pardoned the people for their sins; he may have feared that the Lord might withdraw His gracious word should they provoke Him again through similar transgressions. Thus, Moses sought reassurance that the Lord would not retract His special protection from the people in the future, and that His favor would remain steadfast, regardless of any potential unfaithfulness they might show.

The Lord makes it known to Moses that He will remain with Israel and lead them to a place of rest. This rest is consistently understood as the promised land, as indicated in Isaiah and Joshua 1:13, and it is also supported by passages such as Hebrews 4:8, which clarify that the rest referred to in the Old Testament is the land that Joshua guided Israel into. Moses perceives profoundly that the ultimate aim for the people is not merely the land described as abundant with milk and honey, but rather their communion with God and their role as a holy priesthood. This leads him to express that it would be futile to depart from their present location unless the Lord accompanies them.