Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 33:3

"unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee, for thou art a stiffnecked people, lest I consume thee in the way." — Exodus 33:3 (ASV)

A land flowing with milk and honey. See Note on Exodus 3:8.

Lest I consume thee. Compare Exodus 32:10; Leviticus 10:2;Psalms 88:21, 31, etc. God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). His near presence, if it does not cleanse and purify, scorches and withers. The conduct of Israel in the wilderness continually provoked Him to destroy them; and but for His amazing compassion and forbearance, the result alluded to here would assuredly have followed.