King James Bible
"And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
Moses is speaking directly to God following the golden calf incident, when God had threatened to send an angel instead of personally accompanying Israel. This introduces Moses' bold response in an intimate dialogue between the prophet and the Lord. Moses insists on God's personal presence—not merely an angel or representative—recognizing that divine presence is what distinguishes Israel from all other nations. The Hebrew word for 'presence' literally means 'face,' emphasizing the desire for God's immediate, personal companionship. Moses would rather remain in the wilderness than proceed to the Promised Land without God's presence. This remarkable statement prioritizes relationship with God over reaching the destination, demonstrating that God's presence matters more than His gifts.