“If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” (33:15).  Moses met with God “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (33:11).  He had also seen God’s anger and the terrible consequences of Israel’s faithlessness.  Moses understood that the Israelites were nothing with the Lord; they had no protection, no guidance, no hope of a good future.  He begged God to personally journey with them as a sign to the world (and to them) that they truly belonged to God.

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (v14).  As Abraham’s children by faith (Galatians 3:29), God promises to personally journey with us and give us rest.