[11] And 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.
And the Lord spake to Moses face to face as a man speaketh
to his friend - Which intimates not only that God revealed himself to Moses
with greater clearness than to any other of the prophets, but also with
greater expressions of particular kindness than to any other. He spake
not as a prince to a subject, but as a man to his friend, whom he loves,
and with whom he takes sweet counsel. And he turned again into the camp
- To tell the people what hopes he had of bringing this business to a good
issue. But because he intended speedily to return to the tabernacle, he
left Joshua there.
[12] And 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.
Moses now returned to the door of the tabernacle, as
an important supplicant for two favours, and prevails for both: herein
he was a type of Christ the great intercessor, whom the Father heareth
always. He is earnest with God for a grant of his presence with Israel
in the rest of their march to Canaan. Thou sayst, bring up this people
- Lord, it is thou thyself that employest me, and wilt thou not own me?
I am in the way of my duty, and shall I not have thy presence with me in
that way? Yet, Thou hast said, I know thee by name, as a particular friend,
and thou hast also found grace in my sight, above any other.
[13] Now 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. [14] And he said, My
presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Now therefore, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew
me thy way - What favour God had expressed to the people they had forfeited
the benefit of; and therefore Moses lays the stress of his plea upon what
God had said to him. By this therefore he takes hold on God, Lord, if thou
wilt do any thing for me, do this for the people. Thus our Lord Jesus,
in his intercession, presents himself to the Father, as one in whom he
is always well - pleased, and so obtains mercy for us with whom he is justly
displeased, Shew me thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace
in thy sight - He insinuates that the people also, though most unworthy,
yet were in some relation to God; consider that this nation is thy people;
a people that thou hast done great things for, redeemed to thyself, and
taken into covenant with thyself; Lord, they are thy own, do not leave
them.
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