The passage 20.11.18-25 in Exodus demonstrates how Moses communicates for God and why the people cannot get physically closer to God. The power of God is displayed in lines “the lord came down upon it on fire” (Exodus 19.18). This line suggests the might of God as fire is generally a powerful source with both destructive and constructive connotations. Furthermore, the line “the …show more content…
In this passage Moses has just descended Mount Sinai after speaking with God. As a result, “his face was radiant” (34.29). The radiance abnormality of the radiance caused the Israelites to “shrank from coming near him” (34.30). The fear the Israelites had at seeing Moses glow is indicative that they would be overcome with fear had they ever met God directly. Furthermore, the Israelites did approach when “Moses called to them” (34.31). This passage reveals the extent of the Israelites fear for the unfamiliar. On one hand the Israelites are startled by the physical effect God had on Moses’s skin; however, they are familiar enough with Moses to approach when he calls. This reverence and fear of God is noted by Moses. As a result, Moses chooses to wear a veil. He shows his radiant skin while telling the “Israelites what he had been commanded” and puts “the veil back over his face until he went to speak to Him” (34.34-35). The veil shows a separation between the divine and mundane. It shows that Moses prefers to keep the approval of God visible only when imparting God’s commands.
Both of the previously mentioned passages referenced the indirect nature of the Israelites relationship with God. Furthermore, they showed the vital role Moses plays as the link between the powerful god and the fearful people. This similarity is best explained in the recurring phrase “Moses