The Yesod Ha’avodah writes that these pesukim contain a hint regarding how a person who does not feel enjoyment from his avodas Hashem can come to have sweetness and enthusiasm for his avodah. He says that the way for such a person to draw close to Hashem is to strengthen his unquestioning emunah and continue to serve Hashem faithfully. Once one does this, Hashem will have mercy on him and He will draw him close. This can be compared to a simple man who desires to enter the king’s palace but is turned back by the royal guards. However, he does not leave. He remains standing outside the palace for many days until the guards see that his desire to see the king is very serious and real, so they grant him entry.
Accordingly, the pasuk is saying that “the entire assemblage drew close”, meaning that they desired to come close to Hashem and, therefore, they “stood before Hashem” by standing firm in their emunah peshutah, even if they did not feel pleasure and enjoyment in their avodah. Moshe then told them: “This is the thing that Hashem commanded you to do.” He told them that they should continue doing this, even at times when they cannot see Hashem, and, if they do so, “The glory of Hashem will be seen upon you” and they will merit a revelation of His presence.
Fulfilling Hashem’s Will With Simplicity and Then Coming to Understand
In this vein, Rav Moshe of Korbin zy”a explains the pasuk as follows: Moshe advised the nation regarding how to serve Hashem by saying that they “the thing that Hashem commanded, they should do.” And once they serve Hashem simply because He commanded them to do it, “the honor of Hashem will be seen on them”, meaning that they will come to feel the sweetness and joy of serving Him.
