Lit., face. In vv. 12-17 Moses bargained with God for His presence to go with him and the people. God’s presence is His way, the “map” that shows His people the way they should take (cf. John 14:6 and note John 14:6¹; Heb. 11:8 and note Heb. 11:8¹). The children of Israel had God’s presence in a very limited way, for they were far from God’s heart (cf. Isa. 29:13). Moses, however, was a person very near to God’s heart and according to God’s heart. Hence, he had God’s presence to a full extent.

God’s glory is His expression — God Himself expressed.

Christ is the cleft rock, the everlasting rock cleft for us (see Exo. 17:6 and notes). Only in the crucified Christ can we see God (cf. Matt. 5:8; Rev. 22:4).

Lit., he.

A companion, being more than a friend, is an associate, a partner, one who shares a common interest and a common enterprise. Although Abraham was God’s friend (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; James 2:23), Moses was God’s companion, a partner in God’s great enterprise. Only a person like Moses, a person who knows God’s heart and does everything according to God’s heart, can be a companion of God, sharing a common interest with God and being used by God to carry out His enterprise on earth.

Knowing the heart of God, Moses realized that neither he nor God could remain among the people, for the camp had become idolatrous. Hence, he moved his tent outside the camp. This tent became the tent of meeting, where God could meet with His seeking people and speak to them. This was a type fulfilled in Heb. 13:12-13 (see notes there).

As a result of Moses’ work as a mediator between God and the children of Israel, God’s anger was appeased, and the people repented and gave up their self-beautification (see note Exo. 32:2¹; cf. Gen. 35:1-4).

Lit., know.

The Angel here is Christ (see note Exo. 14:19^1a).