What role does Moses play in recording God's words in Exodus 34:27? Setting the scene in Exodus 34:27 God has just renewed His covenant after Israel’s golden-calf rebellion. In the middle of that solemn moment, the Lord turns to Moses and says: “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant…” (Exodus 34:27). That brief command tells us a lot about Moses’ role. Moses as God’s appointed recorder • God speaks; Moses writes. The initiative is entirely divine—Moses records exactly what he hears. • The writing is covenantal. What Moses pens becomes the written witness to the renewed Sinai covenant. • Literal obedience. Moses’ task is not to paraphrase but to “write down” the very words, underscoring Scripture’s verbal inspiration. A pattern already established • Exodus 17:14—“Write this on a scroll as a memorial…” God first calls Moses to write after the victory over Amalek. • Exodus 24:4—“Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD.” This includes the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20–23). • Numbers 33:2—Moses records Israel’s entire journey “at the LORD’s command.” • Deuteronomy 31:9, 24—Moses completes “this law” and hands it to the priests, placing it beside the ark. These passages show that writing Scripture was a regular, God-given responsibility for Moses, not a one-time task. Why Moses’ writing matters for biblical authority • It links the spoken word of God to the written word we read today—Scripture carries the same authority as the divine voice. • It preserves the covenant for every generation; the written text cannot be altered without notice (cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; 13:1). • It grounds later prophetic and apostolic writings. Jesus and the New Testament writers repeatedly quote “Moses” as authoritative (e.g., Mark 12:26; John 5:46-47). Key takeaways for us • Moses functions as God’s faithful stenographer, ensuring that what God said then is what we have now. • The accuracy of Scripture rests on God’s command and Moses’ obedience, reinforcing our confidence in every word. • The covenantal context reminds us that Scripture is meant to guide a living relationship between God and His people. |
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