Exodus 33:12-34:8
Read Exodus 33:12-34:8
Helpful Background Information:
Throughout the story of the Bible, we can see patterns for how God chooses to reveal Himself. In the Old Testament, there were special times when God’s self-revelation came in the form of a theophany. A theophany simply refers to a visible or audible manifestation of God to humans. It’s a way that God reveals Himself, often in a tangible form, to individuals or groups. These events are temporary yet spectacular encounters that display God’s holiness and majesty, leaving onlookers with their jaws dropped to the floor.
Theophanies can be found all throughout the book of Exodus—think Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3), the pillars of cloud and fire (Exodus 13), and Mount Sinai (Exodus 19). In Exodus 33, Moses asks God to show Him His glory (v.18). After positioning Moses in the protection of a cleft of a rock, the LORD passes by and proclaims His name (34:6). Immediately after, Moses knelt down and worshiped (v.8).
This wouldn’t be the last time that the glory of God would pass by and reveal God’s name. In Mark 6, Jesus comes down from a mountain to pass by His disciples while they were struggling on the water late at night (v.48). Upon passing by, Jesus chose to reveal Himself in another subtle yet familiar way saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (v.50). In Greek, “it is I,” can be most directly translated, “I am” (remember Exodus 3:14). Considering the fact that all of Jesus’ disciples were Jewish, the Exodus story was their story—one they would have known inside and out. The God who showed up and revealed His covenant name to their ancestors was the same God who showed up bodily in the person of Jesus. Without question, Jesus Himself is the ultimate theophany in Christian theology. He is the clearest revelation of the God who tramples the chaos of this world to calm the storms facing His people (v.51).
Reflection Questions:
Throughout the Bible, we see consistent themes connected to who God reveals Himself to be. What aspects of God’s own character does He reveal in the Exodus passage? List and describe at least three of them with specific examples.
Anytime God appears to people, in almost every case, there is an overwhelming response of reverence and awe. Are there any ways in which you have been approaching God flippantly or haphazardly? What would it look like to move toward a place of greater reverence?
Jesus provides the clearest picture of who God is. How do you see the characteristics of God (from Exodus 34:6-7) present in the life of Jesus? Close by spending time in prayer, thanking God for the generous gift of Jesus Christ.