In Exodus 33:12-16, a new side of Moses is visible where he is actively accepting his duty to be the mediator between God and His people. There is also a shift in Moses’ and God’s interaction. Moses begins taking more control of the conversation by professing his thoughts on the Israelites and how they should be lead. This shift extends to the fact that Moses is not just God’s hand picked spokesman to the people, but is now his faithful companion.
In the beginning of this excerpt, Moses straightforwardly expresses his discomfort with the idea that God has not told him who else He “will send with [Moses]”, showing that Moses acknowledges that the Israelites will not follow him or obey him if he is leading them alone. This is also showing that …show more content…
At the end of the excerpt, Moses reassuringly reminds God the Israelites are His people, showing the new control and confidence Moses has when speaking to God (33:13). This is important because God was angry at the Israelites for betraying His commandments by worshipping a god of gold and Moses consoles Him. This illustrates that Moses is not just a spokesman for God, but also the mouth and protector of the people, exemplifying that Moses has accepted his own fate as the intercessor for God and for the Israelites. However, this line does not only illustrate Moses’ newfound complete acceptance in his responsibilities, this line also exemplifies the friendship Moses and God possess. Moses consoles God who feels betrayed, upset and angry, just as anyone would do for someone they consider their friend. After this, God professed that He “will go in the lead”, which ultimately means that He and Moses will lead the Israelites together (33:14). This shows God’s understanding that Moses will not just behave as a puppet for Him and submit to God’s orders without clarity. This conclusively aided the conversion in their relationship; from God constantly commanding and overpowering Moses, to God being more open to Moses’ thoughts. Illustrating a more comradely relationship rather than God behaving as Moses’ puppeteer. Moses realizes his value to God as a comrade, which is exemplified in line 16 when Moses distinguishes between him and God’s people. Moses explicitly says “Your people and I”, showing that he believes there is a clear distinction between the Israelites and himself. God is still the Israelites only master, whereas He and Moses’ relationship resembles a
In the beginning of this excerpt, Moses straightforwardly expresses his discomfort with the idea that God has not told him who else He “will send with [Moses]”, showing that Moses acknowledges that the Israelites will not follow him or obey him if he is leading them alone. This is also showing that …show more content…
At the end of the excerpt, Moses reassuringly reminds God the Israelites are His people, showing the new control and confidence Moses has when speaking to God (33:13). This is important because God was angry at the Israelites for betraying His commandments by worshipping a god of gold and Moses consoles Him. This illustrates that Moses is not just a spokesman for God, but also the mouth and protector of the people, exemplifying that Moses has accepted his own fate as the intercessor for God and for the Israelites. However, this line does not only illustrate Moses’ newfound complete acceptance in his responsibilities, this line also exemplifies the friendship Moses and God possess. Moses consoles God who feels betrayed, upset and angry, just as anyone would do for someone they consider their friend. After this, God professed that He “will go in the lead”, which ultimately means that He and Moses will lead the Israelites together (33:14). This shows God’s understanding that Moses will not just behave as a puppet for Him and submit to God’s orders without clarity. This conclusively aided the conversion in their relationship; from God constantly commanding and overpowering Moses, to God being more open to Moses’ thoughts. Illustrating a more comradely relationship rather than God behaving as Moses’ puppeteer. Moses realizes his value to God as a comrade, which is exemplified in line 16 when Moses distinguishes between him and God’s people. Moses explicitly says “Your people and I”, showing that he believes there is a clear distinction between the Israelites and himself. God is still the Israelites only master, whereas He and Moses’ relationship resembles a