Chapter 11: God’s Eternal Character

Page 7

with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:21-23

The Israelites in Deuteronomy carry on a discussion about speaking with God [and their fear of it] with the following words to Moses:

And you [Moses] said: “Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard

His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we

shall die. For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our

God says to you, and we will hear and do it.” Deut. 5:24-27

Yes, fear of mortal death consumed the Israelites. Not from being able to actually “see” God as Moses had asked, but simply from being able

to hear God’s voice. “Moses, you go hear what God has to say and come tell us. For our part, we will hear it from your voice Moses and then do it.” Get this picture of God as described in the Holy Bible? This is not Jesus!

After hearing the Israelites, God responds with the following dialogue to Moses.

“Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: ‘I have heard the

voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken.’ ”

“Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” Deut. 5:28-29