Session 173: Exodus 33:25-40:38 - “Making Sense of God’s Punishments”

33:25-28 The Lord commanded that  the 3000 instigators of the Golden Calf incident were to be killed.  This seems too harsh! Two thoughts:

1) Those amongst the 3000 that repented could still have ETERNAL life.

 2) God was starting something new with His people.  The instigators needed to be dealt with severely, and made an example of, lest they corrupt the remainder.

33:35 The Lord “sent a plague” (illness) on the rest of the Israelites.  Our sins affect the whole community!  (Either directly, through consequences, or indirectly, through relaxed attitudes/ acceptance of sin.)

34:7 (Not covered in audio session)  “punishing children and grandchildren to the 3rd and 4th generation for their fathers’ wickedness!” 
2 thoughts:
1) A father’s sins can have DIRECT consequences on his family. EXAMPLE: A child of a father who spends all of the family’s money on alcohol/drugs might not get the basic things the child needs to progress in life.
2) The example that the father sets may cause the child to adapt the same self-destructive lifestyle.

Other key points from these chapters:
33:11, 33:20, 33:23.- Any times in the Old Testament where God is said to have human physical characteristics (a “face” etc) are not to be taken literally; God is SPIRIT.  The author is using symbolism:  You can’t see God’s “face” (know everything about God), but you can see God’s  “back.” (Examples of God’s handiwork throughout all of God’s beautiful creations.)

Chapters 35-40- (See session on Chapters 25-27.  (God is SERIOUS about the RELATIONSHIP we have with God, and it shows in the materials and items to be used in worship. )How serious are you in worship?

40:36-37 Move when God tells you to!