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FOUR VIEWS OF. SINAI. “a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to themâ€. EXODUS 3:1-6 Moses, tending flock, concerned with everyday life
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FOUR VIEWS OF SINAI
“a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them”
EXODUS 3:1-6 • Moses, tending flock, concerned with everyday life • Stumbles upon Horeb, another name for Sinai, “the mountain of God” • “an angel of YHWH … in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush” THE FIRST REVELATION
“burning, yet it was not consumed” • Moses is alarmed, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” • Pagan gods and emperors could exert power that destroyed, but what was this? THE FIRST REVELATION
“Moses, Moses!” • The intent of this display is not just for show or for exhibition. • Brueggemann: “It is rather purposeful, summoning, and demanding. … YHWH’s initial utterance is as a sovereign who dominates the situation, who will impose a purpose on Moses, and who will be obeyed.” • To know God is to know purpose. SUMMONS
“Do not come near” • Brueggemann: God is holy “in all the ominous severity of that term.” • “Take your sandals off your feet”: God is to be respected, and He is not impressed by anything you wear. • “Holy ground”: Pagan gods were used for human interest. “Moses is put on notice that this is no user-friendly God.” HOLY
“And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” • God is not a wispy idea. • God is not a shadowy force. • God is not the sum total of nature. • God is a person, not a human person, but a person nonetheless. EMBODIED
“I am the God of your father” • Friedman: “God’s acquaintance with Moses is personal from the start. God does not introduce Himself as ‘I am the creator of the universe’ or ‘I am the God of Israel,’ but: ‘I’m your father’s God.’” • The God of powerful summons, of dreadful holiness, and of personal existence has made a promise which He intends to keep. PROMISE
FOUR VIEWS OF SINAI