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“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”

THE THIRD REVELATION

EXODUS 32-34• The story of Sinai is interrupted by

ch. 25-31, which record various regulations.

• The scene is provoked by the people who turn to the gods of Egypt in the long absence of Moses (32:1-6).

• God’s response to this scene reveals God in a way totally unexpected.

WRATH

“let me alone, that my wrath may burn”• In this scene (32:7-10), God is utterly

intolerant of Israel’s infidelity.• God is ready to “consume” Israel and

start over with Moses.• Could I ever have a relationship with

this God?

CHANGED

“the Lord relented”• 32:11, Moses exhibits incredible

courage.• 32:12, He predicts that this would

shame God.• 32:13, He calls on God to remember His

promises.• 32:14, There is no satisfactory

explanation for this text except to say that God changed His mind because of the petition of Moses.

CONSEQUENCE

• 32:19, Broken tablets, broken covenant• 32:20, “made the people of Israel drink it”• 32:24, “and out came this calf”• 32:25, “the people had broken loose”• 32:26, “Who is on the LORD’s side?”• 32:28, “3000 thousand men fell”• 32:30, “You have sinned a great sin ...

perhaps I can make atonement”• 32:32, Moses’ sacrificial offer• 32:34, “I will visit their sin upon them”

SEPARATION

“Go … but I will not go up among you”• 33:3, God keeps his promise, but He

refuses to continue their relationship.• 33:4, The people mourn.• 33:5, What will God do with them?• 33:15-16, Moses values the

relationship more than the real estate.

FAITHFULNESS

Tablets Rewritten, But Why?34:6-10: “The LORD, the LORD, a God …”• merciful – “womb” love• gracious – unmerited love• slow to anger – patient love• steadfast love – covenant love• faithfulness – reliable love

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