Topical Bible: God: Appearances of To Moses and Joshua

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Moses

Theophanies, or divine appearances, to Moses are pivotal in the narrative of the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. These encounters underscore God's direct involvement in the establishment of His covenant with Israel and His guidance of His chosen people.

1. The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-6): Moses' first encounter with God occurs at Mount Horeb, where the Angel of the LORD appears to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. The bush is burning yet not consumed, symbolizing God's holy presence. God calls Moses by name and instructs him to remove his sandals, for he is standing on holy ground. This encounter marks the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God reveals His name, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), establishing His eternal and self-existent nature.

2. Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-20; 24:9-18): God descends upon Mount Sinai in a dramatic display of thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud. The mountain is enveloped in smoke as the LORD speaks to Moses, giving him the Ten Commandments and the law. Moses ascends the mountain multiple times to receive God's instructions, signifying the establishment of the covenant between God and Israel. In Exodus 24, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel see the God of Israel, and under His feet is something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself.

3. The Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:7-11): Moses regularly meets with God at the Tent of Meeting, where the LORD speaks to him "face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11). This intimate communication highlights the unique relationship between God and Moses, serving as a model of divine-human interaction.

4. The Glory of God (Exodus 33:18-23; 34:5-7): Moses requests to see God's glory, and God agrees to pass by him while covering Moses with His hand. God proclaims His name and attributes, emphasizing His mercy, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness. This revelation of God's character is foundational for understanding His relationship with His people.

Joshua

Joshua, Moses' successor, also experiences divine appearances that affirm his leadership and God's continued presence with Israel.

1. The Commissioning of Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:14-15; Joshua 1:1-9): As Moses' life draws to a close, God appears in a pillar of cloud at the Tent of Meeting to commission Joshua. God promises to be with Joshua as He was with Moses, instructing him to be strong and courageous. This divine assurance is crucial as Joshua prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

2. The Commander of the LORD's Army (Joshua 5:13-15): Before the battle of Jericho, Joshua encounters a mysterious figure identified as the Commander of the LORD's army. Joshua falls facedown in worship, recognizing the divine nature of the encounter. The Commander instructs Joshua to remove his sandals, echoing Moses' experience at the burning bush, and signifies God's holy presence and support in the upcoming conquest.

These appearances to Moses and Joshua highlight God's active role in guiding and establishing His covenant people. Through these encounters, God reveals His character, provides instruction, and assures His presence, underscoring the continuity of His divine plan from Moses to Joshua.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 31:14,15
And the LORD said to Moses, Behold, your days approach that you must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

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

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
... 19, the children of Israel said to Moses, "Speak thou ... We shall surely die, because
we have seen GOD."). ... contains the indication, that such appearances must only ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the angel of the lord.htm

Summary view of the Pre-Existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and ...
... to suppose that the theophanies recorded were appearances of subordinate ... but calls
them by name not God nor Lord ... Joshua, also, the successor of Moses, calls him ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii summary view of the.htm

Of a Good Government in External Things, and of Having Recourse to ...
... of life thou stand not in outward appearances, nor judgest ... the tabernacle to ask
counsel of God; thou shalt ... For always Moses had recourse to the tabernacle for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxxviii of a good.htm

The Thirty-Eighth Chapter: the Right Ordering of External Affairs ...
... as is ordained and instituted by God, the great ... you are not content simply with outward
appearances, if you ... For Moses always had recourse to the tabernacle for ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the thirty-eighth chapter the right.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... the children of those who did not believe the divine appearances in the ... Moses at
first supposed his brethren would have understood, how that God by his ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

On the Creation of the World
... son of Nave, the successor of Moses, himself broke ... and cause those more than frightful
appearances, radiating with ... sit before the throne of God, having golden ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

Acts VII
... form for a trial, to keep up appearances before the ... from the prophets, that the presence
of God is not ... wilderness, as he had appointed, saying to Moses that he ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

Index.
... in death, 37; more worthy than Moses, 55; incapable of ... 220; his faith, 263; his sudden
appearances, 6; defiled by ... Jesus, as God's servant, 55; looking unto, 279 ...
/.../edwards/the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/index 2.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... at the sanctuary all the time from Moses to Samuel ... their discretion under the guidance
of the Spirit of God. ... fifty years), we read of several appearances of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm