7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside e the camp , a good distance from the camp , and he called it the tent of meeting . And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside e the camp . 8 And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent , that all the people would arise and stand , each at the entrance of his tent , and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent . 9 Whenever Moses entered the tent , the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent ; and the Lord would speak with Moses . 10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent , all the people would arise and worship , each at the entrance of his tent . 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face , just as a man speaks to his friend . When Moses returned to the camp , his servant Joshua , the son of Nun , a young man , would not depart from the tent .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 33:7-11
Commentary on Exodus 33:7-11
(Read Exodus 33:7-11)
Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp. This seems to have been a temporary building, set up for worship, and at which he judged disputes among the people. The people looked after him; they were very desirous to be at peace with God, and concerned to know what would come to pass. The cloudy pillar which had withdrawn from the camp when it was polluted with idolatry, now returned. If our hearts go forth toward God to meet him, he will graciously come to meet us.