Exodus 34:5-8
Context: On mount Sinai, Moses has asked God to show him His glory (33:18)
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This is an interesting chapter in that in direct or indirect fashion, G-d had previously been shown as creator, ruler of history, jealous of other gods, lawgiver and guarantor of justice.
In this instance, Moses asks G-d not only to disclose his nature but also his full name. Previously in Exodus 3:14, G-d indicated to Moses what has always been an enigmatic name, for which the transliteration is Ehyeh-Asher-Ehye. The enigma stems from the way Semitic language may be translated. In this case, it may be translated as “I am who I am”, though also “I am who I will become”.
Personally, I’ve always thought this an appropriate perspective of discussion. And, please, for the purpose of this rambling…let’s not introduce other literature and other meanings. Let’s examine a bit of what this would have possibly meant to Moses, as well as an understanding from traditional Jewish views.
I’ll keep this short for now.
In any reading of the Hebrew bible, it’s interesting to note that the relationship between the Hebrews and Moses, between Moses and G-d, and between G-d and the Hebrews is a story of a totally dysfunctional family. G-d helps the Hebrews, and they complain…to both Moses and G-d. G-d himself does not trust his own temper (Exodus 33:3), as he will remove himself after being to sorely tried by his people, that an angel will take his place.
As a tangent, yet still within this thread, let’s think back to the Garden of Eden.
G-d has created (for now let’s ignore the two stories of Creation) a garden, and have placed Adam and Eve within it, free to explore all with the exception of this particular tree.
As I had posted earlier, I found this passage, in association with Exodus 34:5-8, interesting. And here I find the ambiguous reference to the Name of G-d interesting.
For instance, for the parents among you, what would you imagine your children doing if you were to say…”stay away from ….” Naturally, children would make a bee-line in the direction of your caveat!
My read on this is that the ambiguous name G-d reveals in Exodus 34:5-8 has now come full-circle, and has given us the blessing of understanding that not only, with each generation, are we to find G-d, but to re-interpret G-d and his message for all times. As we develop and mature, so to will our relationship and understanding of the true nature of G-d. It’s a seemingly circular argument whereby Moses must at last understand that this is the limit of human knowledge.
Okay, this is my round-about read of the original post, which is about Exodus 34:5-8. From what I have already alluded to, Exodus 34:5-8 seems as a circular argument whereby Moses must at last understand that this is the limit of human knowledge. While G-d’s “back” may only be seen, it is in this context that only G-ds deeds and actions (i.e., what he (we?) have seen and done are the aspects that reveal his (ours?) true existence and nature.
For me, this makes sense, and is what ties us to a concept for understanding each other and our relationship with G-d. It’s the consequence of our actions, be they positive or negative, is what each of us has a causal relationship (positive or negative), upon our fellows. By understanding this, may we then look forward towards betterment of ourselves, and the human condition.
Jewish Ed