For 11/13/2011
All Scriptures from The Message Version
This post is intended to help the reader personalize the words and thoughts in the scriptures. It works best if shared between two or more people as a topic of discussion but there is something to be gained by just considering the questions by yourself. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek through this link http://www.textweek.com/pentateuch/ex32a.htm.
One of the stubbornly enduring habits of the human race is to insist on domesticating God. We are determined to tame him. We figure out ways to harness God to our projects. We try to reduce God to a size that conveniently fits our plans and ambitions and tastes.
But our Scriptures are even more stubborn in telling us that we can’t do it. God cannot be fit into our plans, we must fit into his. We can’t use god – God is not a tool or appliance or credit card.
Eugene H. Peterson – Translator/Interpreter of The Message Version
During the Israelite’s exodus through the desert God had been a visual presence with them, leading them in a pillar of fire and smoke. But then the breaking of the very first commandment and casting and worship of the Golden Calf in Moses’ absence – God is upset and changes his mind telling Moses:
From Exodus 33:1-3 I will send an angel ahead of you and I'll drive out the Canaanites… But I won't be with you in person—you're such a stubborn, hard-headed people!—lest I destroy you on the journey."
God changes His mind – he delegates his presence to an angel as he has lost patience with them. With this Moses turns to God to argue – he pleads a case for God’s continued presence. Prayer is communication with God, regardless of the nature of that conversation – as you read this read it as Moses being in prayer with God:
Exodus 33:12-13 Moses said to God, "Look, you tell me, 'Lead this people,' but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me. You tell me, 'I know you well and you are special to me.' If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don't forget, this is your people, your responsibility."
14 God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end."
15-16 Moses said, "If your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that you're with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we're special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?"
17 God said to Moses: "All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name."
· What arguments does Moses confront God with in verses 12-13 as he strains to get God to change His decision? What does Moses say worries him? Who does he claim is responsible for the fate of the people? What tone of voice and demeanor do you think he presented in this request/demand?
· After all of the conversations (prayers?) Moses has had with God something big is missing, what does he want revealed? What is Moses dealing with as he struggles to lead the people? Is it surprising that he wants more information about the specifics of what is going to happen in the future?
· Can you relate to any of this frustration as you travel along your own faith journey? What is Moses asking for that we might all wish for? How do we deal with the uncertainty of our immediate and long term personal future and all of the ups and downs it might hold? Would you consider having a conversation with God like this? What has your faith brought to your life during times of uncertainty?
· Have you ever begun something, big or small, that you felt your faith called you to do? Would you like to have had this conversation and the assurance Moses asks for?
· What is God’s response in versed 14 – what does he affirm? What does He mean by presence – is it only in the form of the previously mentioned angel? How does Moses react to God’s response?
· Think about Moses’ demand to God as you read verses 15-16 – what is he demanding – what must be going through Moses’ mind as he speaks – what do you imagine is his tone of voice – what must he think that his relationship with God must be to speak in this way?
· Should we be striving for a relationship in which all of our emotions can be expressed in our conversations with God? How do we do that? Do you know anyone with whom you can imagine having this kind of conversation? What is your relationship with that person, why are you comfortable to speak to them in this way? What does it say about the relationship with God we should be seeking?
· Moses speaks about him and his people being special, do you think that people of faith are special in God’s eyes? In what ways?
· What is the bottom line we see in verse 17, why does God accede to Moses’ wishes? How has your faith blessed you?
Moses is still not satisfied and makes more requests of God:
18 Moses said, "Please. Let me see your Glory."
19 God said, "I will make my Goodness pass right in front of you; I'll call out the name, God, right before you. I'll treat well whomever I want to treat well and I'll be kind to whomever I want to be kind."
20 God continued, "But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live."
21-23 God said, "Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I'll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I've passed by. Then I'll take my hand away and you'll see my back. But you won't see my face."
· What is Moses asking for, what does he want God to do? Is looking someone in the face the ultimate step in really knowing who and what they are? Is that something you would like to do with God?
· How amazing is it that the omnipotent, omnipresent creator of the infinite universe will choose to seek a relationship with us mere humans? Does it make any sense to you? How do you fit this into your personal faith life?
· But in the end God puts a condition on any presence made with Moses and by extension all of us – what is it? Do you believe that God is knowable, that we can find human equivalents of our values, emotions, physical appearance, logic, understanding of good and evil, justice, etc.? Does this scripture in some ways express that impossibility?
· God promises that Moses will experience God’s presence but that he will not see his face (in other words really come to know God). How do we experience God’s presence? Are there any particular experiences that have been high points in your faith journey? Is it possible to experience God’s presence in creation or get a glimpse from the actions and relationships we have with other people of faith?
· What one thing will you take away from considering these scriptures today? What questions have gone unanswered? How might you pursue coming closer to getting answers.
Closing Litany (I Corinthians 13:12-13)
We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.
But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!
We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:
Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
Amen
Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100 or Psalm 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46
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