Theme: The hidden majesty of God

Exegetical Note
The fact that in this theophany on the mountain Moses beholds, not God, but God's glory reflects the recurring Old Testament belief that to behold the "face" of the Deity is unbearable and potentially fatal. The images of cloud and fire for God's presence are a recurring motif of the Priestly writer (cf. the two "pillars" in 13:21-22), again signifying that although God is always present, that presence is veiled and mysterious due to the awesome majesty of the Holy One.

Call to Worship
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