The Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought out of Egypt, and to the land of which I promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to their descendants. I will send an angel to guide you, and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. You are going to a rich and fertile land. I might destroy you on the way because you are a stubborn people.” When the people heard this, they began to mourn and didn’t wear jewelry any more.
Whenever the people of Israel set up camp, Moses would take the sacred Tent and put it up some distance outside the camp. The pillar of cloud appeared after Moses entered, and the Lord would speak to Moses face to face. Moses said to the Lord, “It is true that You’ve told me to lead these people to that land, but You didn’t tell me whom You shall send with me. Tell me Your plan. Remember also that you have chosen this nation to be your own.” The Lord said, “I will go with you and give you victory. Because I know you very well and I am pleased with you, I will do as you asked.” Then Moses said, “Please, let me see the dazzling light of Your presence.” The Lord said, “I will make all My splendor pass before you and in your presence, I will pronounce My name sacred. I am the Lord, and I will show compassion and pity on those I choose. I will not let you see My face, but here is a place beside Me where you can stand on a rock. When the light passes by, I will put you in the rock’s opening and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take out My hand and you shall see My back, but not My face.”