1. SINAI FOUR VIEWS OF

2. “a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them”

3. THE FIRST REVELATION EXODUS 3:1-6 Moses, tending flock, concerned with everyday lifeMoses, tending flock, concerned with everyday life Stumbles upon Horeb, another name for Sinai, “the mountain of God”Stumbles upon Horeb, another name for Sinai, “the mountain of God” “an angel of YHWH … in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush”“an angel of YHWH … in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush”

4. THE FIRST REVELATION “burning, yet it was not consumed” Moses is alarmed, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”Moses is alarmed, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” Pagan gods and emperors could exert power that destroyed, but what was this?Pagan gods and emperors could exert power that destroyed, but what was this?

5. SUMMONS “Moses, Moses!” The intent of this display is not just for show or for exhibition.The intent of this display is not just for show or for exhibition. Brueggemann: “It is rather purposeful, summoning, and demanding. … YHWH’s initial utterance is as a sovereign who dominates the situation, who will impose a purpose on Moses, and who will be obeyed.”Brueggemann: “It is rather purposeful, summoning, and demanding. … YHWH’s initial utterance is as a sovereign who dominates the situation, who will impose a purpose on Moses, and who will be obeyed.” To know God is to know purpose.To know God is to know purpose.

6. HOLY “Do not come near” Brueggemann: God is holy “in all the ominous severity of that term.”Brueggemann: God is holy “in all the ominous severity of that term.” “Take your sandals off your feet”: God is to be respected, and He is not impressed by anything you wear.“Take your sandals off your feet”: God is to be respected, and He is not impressed by anything you wear. “Holy ground”: Pagan gods were used for human interest. “Moses is put on notice that this is no user-friendly God.”“Holy ground”: Pagan gods were used for human interest. “Moses is put on notice that this is no user-friendly God.”

7. EMBODIED “And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” God is not a wispy idea.God is not a wispy idea. God is not a shadowy force.God is not a shadowy force. God is not the sum total of nature.God is not the sum total of nature. God is a person, not a human person, but a person nonetheless.God is a person, not a human person, but a person nonetheless.

8. PROMISE “I am the God of your father” Friedman: “God’s acquaintance with Moses is personal from the start. God does not introduce Himself as ‘I am the creator of the universe’ or ‘I am the God of Israel,’ but: ‘I’m your father’s God.’”Friedman: “God’s acquaintance with Moses is personal from the start. God does not introduce Himself as ‘I am the creator of the universe’ or ‘I am the God of Israel,’ but: ‘I’m your father’s God.’” The God of powerful summons, of dreadful holiness, and of personal existence has made a promise which He intends to keep.The God of powerful summons, of dreadful holiness, and of personal existence has made a promise which He intends to keep.

9. SINAI FOUR VIEWS OF