Topical Bible: God: Appearances of To Moses, at Sinai

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The appearances of God to Moses at Mount Sinai are pivotal events in the biblical narrative, marking significant moments in the establishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites. These encounters are recorded primarily in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, where God reveals Himself in powerful and awe-inspiring ways.

The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-6): The first recorded appearance of God to Moses at Sinai occurs when Moses is tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro. God appears to Moses in a flame of fire from within a bush that burns but is not consumed. This miraculous sight captures Moses' attention, and as he approaches, God calls to him from the bush, saying, "Moses, Moses!" Moses responds, "Here I am." God instructs him to remove his sandals, for the place where he stands is holy ground. God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses hides his face, afraid to look at God.

The Giving of the Law (Exodus 19-20): After leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses brings them to Mount Sinai, where God intends to establish His covenant with them. In Exodus 19, God descends upon the mountain in a dense cloud, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet, causing the entire mountain to tremble. The people are instructed to consecrate themselves and not to approach the mountain. God calls Moses to the top of the mountain, where He delivers the Ten Commandments and other laws that will govern the covenant relationship. Exodus 20:1-2 begins, "And God spoke all these words: 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.'"

The Glory of God (Exodus 33:18-23; 34:5-7): Moses, seeking reassurance of God's presence with Israel, asks to see God's glory. God agrees to make His goodness pass before Moses but warns that no one can see His face and live. Instead, God places Moses in a cleft of the rock and covers him with His hand as He passes by, allowing Moses to see His back. In Exodus 34, God descends in a cloud and proclaims His name, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin."

The Renewal of the Covenant (Exodus 34:29-35): After the incident of the golden calf, Moses ascends Mount Sinai again to receive a new set of tablets. When he descends, his face is radiant from speaking with God, so much so that he must cover it with a veil when speaking to the Israelites. This radiance signifies the profound impact of God's presence and the renewal of the covenant.

Theophany and Covenant (Deuteronomy 5:4-5): In Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the Sinai experience to the new generation of Israelites. He emphasizes that God spoke to them "face to face out of the fire on the mountain" (Deuteronomy 5:4), though Moses stood as a mediator between God and the people. This theophany underscores the direct and personal nature of God's covenant with Israel.

These appearances of God to Moses at Sinai are foundational to understanding the nature of God's relationship with His chosen people, characterized by holiness, law, and covenant. They reveal God's desire to dwell among His people and guide them according to His righteous standards.

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Exodus 19:16-24
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
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Exodus 24:10
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
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Library

The Essence of God Never Appeared in Itself. Divine Appearances to ...
... It is manifest, accordingly, that all those appearances to the ... lest any one should
think that the God of glory ... When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 the essence of god.htm

Mother's Love
... time, hated in Moses' time, and avenged in Moses' time, He ... of God, in the day when
God shall judge ... righteous judgment, and not according to appearances; who is ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon viii mothers love.htm

Mount Zion.
... the Apostle intends to contrast the terrible appearances on Sinai ... hear it and do
it."[375] God Himself commended ... as if they had climbed with Moses the heights ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xv mount zion.htm

God in Christ
... the Scriptures have spoken of him of whom Moses and the ... from the beginning of the
world in God, who created ... and not wrong, in spite of all appearances to the ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon i god in christ.htm

The Faith of Moses.
... He represents Moses as a man of faith ... Nothing is said of his appearances before Pharaoh;
nothing of the ... the hill whilst the people were fighting God's battle in ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xii the faith of.htm

How the Amalekites and the Neighbouring Nations, Made War with the ...
... offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to God, and built ... But when Moses had celebrated
this festival for the ... bush, and the other wonderful appearances, had happened ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the amalekites.htm

Acts VII
... somewhat the form for a trial, to keep up appearances before the ... deliver them from
bondage, according to the promise of God, Stephen has ... (31) When Moses saw it ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

Index.
... Elijah's removal, 220; his faith, 263; his sudden appearances, 6; defiled by ... Moses,
32; a steward of Christ, 54; inferior to Christ, 55 ... Revelation of God, 294 sq ...
/.../edwards/the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/index 2.htm

Here, to the Things Thou Hast Thought Meet to Inquire of Me...
... 69]66, etc.; to Lot, [70]47; to Moses, [71]48 ... essence of, never appeared, [77]65;
the appearances of, wrought ... or the three together, called the one God, [87]102 ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /23 here to the things.htm

On the Holy Trinity
... Chapter 16.--In What Manner Moses Saw God. ... Chapter 11.--The Essence of God Never
Appeared in Itself ... Divine Appearances to the Fathers Wrought by the Ministry of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the holy trinity/