Chapter Summary

The journey to be resumed. God's presence assured.

Discussion Questions for Exodus, Chapter 33

1. What does God promise to do in vss. 1-3? On what promise does God base His command? How does this shape your perception of God's commands?
2. Where is God’s presence? What does this say about God’s relationship to obstinate Israel? How does God’s presence relate to the Garden of Eden?
3. What were some ways that the Israelites responded to God? In what ways was their response good? In what ways was it lacking?
4. Does God sound harsh in v. 3? Is it right for God to destroy Israel? What keeps Him from destroying them? How do you relate to God's wrath and discipline?
5. v. 11 What does it mean that “the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend” (NASB). Does v. 23 contradict v. 11? How does this relate to Jn 15:15? How might Jn 15:15 help us understand God’s intentions with Israel in Exodus?
6. What does Moses request of God? How does God answer his request? In what ways may a person know God? How should Christians relate to the presence of God? And what should you do when God seems absent? In what ways is Moses a model for modern day Christians relating to God’s presence?
7. v. 14 Why is it significant that God’s presence will give Moses rest? How does this relate to the Sabbath of ch. 31 and to the Garden of Eden?
8. v. 15 Why is Moses concerned about having God’s presence go with Israel on their way to the Promised Land? What is so bad about having the Promised Land without God’s presence?
9. v. 19 How does God’s grace and compassion relate to His presence?
10. Why does God hide Moses in the rock? What does this say about God’s nature? And why does God not show His face? What other passages of Scripture does this remind you of?

Key Words/Phrase

Presence, v. 14.

Characters

God, Moses, Joshua.

Strong Verse(s)

11, 14, 20.