Lesson for Sept. 26, 2010: God Promises an Awesome Thing (Exodus 34:1-10)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 26) is written by Cheryl Frey, a freelance proofreader and editor from Rochester, New York.

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God Promises an Awesome Thing (Exodus 34:1-10)

By Cheryl Frey

Talk about pushing your luck. When Jason Zacchi of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, decided to rob a Wendy”s drive-through window, he thought the bandana over his face would conceal his identity. But when the manager heard the commotion and came over, she immediately recognized him. The Wendy”s Jason had chosen to rob was the one where his mom worked. She called the police, and he was arrested.

In the events leading up to today”s lesson, Moses also seems to push his luck””but in a good way. First, he averts a catastrophe for the Israelites after they worship the golden calf and God threatens to wipe them out. By reminding God of his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses secures a second chance for his people.

Then the Lord decides it would be better if he didn”t go with the Israelites to the promised land. Why? “Because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way” (Exodus 33:3). But Moses indicates he doesn”t want to go anywhere with these people if God doesn”t go with them. As he says, “How will anyone know you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?” (v. 16). Again the Lord relents because of his relationship with Moses.

Then Moses makes a third request, and this one appears to be personal and rather pushy. “Now,” he requests, “show me your glory” (v. 18). Amazingly, God agrees and promises to shield Moses with his hand as his glory passes by. In this way the Lord will show Moses aspects of his being that no human had ever experienced before. What he reveals to Moses and to us is both surprising and eye-opening.

Setting the Stage

The occasion for this event is given in the opening verses of Exodus 34. When Moses had come down from Mount Sinai after receiving the law, he was so shocked and angered by the idolatrous revelry of the Israelites that he smashed the stones on which God had carved the Ten Commandments. These stone tablets needed to be replaced. So the Lord instructed Moses to carve out a new set of tablets and return with them to the top of the mountain. This time he was to come alone. Heeding all God”s instructions, Moses carves out the stones and proceeds to climb the mountain early the next morning.

Seeing God”s Glory

The first thing to happen was what Moses would expect: “The Lord came down in the cloud” (v. 5). The cloud was closely connected with God”s presence, as it led the Israelites by day, covered the tent of meeting, and descended over Mount Sinai. But that was the end of the visible manifestations: no thunder, no lightning, no blaring trumpet. Instead, God proclaims his personal name””Jehovah””and lists aspects of his character: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished” (vv. 6, 7). God did not give Moses a vision of his power and majesty; there is no mention of his omnipotence or omniscience. Instead, God reveals the glory that is in his basic nature and character.

While it is important for God to receive the praise he deserves as the one who spoke the universe into being, it is even more important for him to be glorified for his love, mercy, and grace toward sinners. And balancing those qualities (and yet in harmony with them) is his commitment to justice.

Thus, the true glory of God is seen in his pardoning love and the actions he has taken throughout history to satisfy the demands of justice. From the promise to Eve through the covenant with the patriarchs to the partnership with Israel, God was preparing a way to be merciful to sinners and to pay for their sins through the death of his Son on the cross. We, like Moses, can also see God”s glory as we look at Jesus, who showed us “the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father” to become “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:14, 29).

Giving God Praise

Our response to this vision of God”s glory should be similar to that of Moses: bowing before the Lord in worship and expressing an awareness of our sinful ways. Because we are morally imperfect, we can never hope in this life to see God as he actually is. But we can see where he has passed by. As we think about what he has done for us through Jesus, we can be ever more aware of his glory and praise him for it.

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*All Scripture references are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS

Sept. 20: Psalm 57:1-5

Sept. 21: Lamentations 3:22-26

Sept. 22: Psalm 103:1-5

Sept. 23: Psalm 103:6-10

Sept. 24: Psalm 103:11-16

Sept. 25: Psalm 103:17-22

Sept. 26: Exodus 34:1-10

ABOUT THE LESSON WRITER: Cheryl Frey is owner of Premier Editorial Services, a proofreader, and editor living in Rochester, New York.