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A Change of Allegiance  /  Chapter 4, The God of the Bible  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
Moses’ “show me Your glory” ends up with God defining Himself by attributes rather than appearance; what do you learn about what God considers most important to reveal about Himself, and how does that confront the way we evaluate “knowing God” today?
Another way to ask: When Moses asks to see God’s glory, God describes His character instead of His looks. What does that show about what God most wants us to know about Him, and how does that challenge how we think about “knowing God” today?

Direct Answer The transcript suggests God considers His character—His name and attributes—more central to true “glory” than visible description. That confronts modern instincts to measure knowing God by experiences, images, or impressions rather than by receiving God’s self-definition as merciful and also just.

Support from Transcript:

  • Moses begs, “Please, show me Your glory,” wanting closer intimacy beyond the burning bush and pillar of fire.
  • God limits the request because full glory would kill Moses, hiding him “in the cleft of the rock” and covering him “with My hand.”
  • Taylor notes Moses’ record is “peculiar”: instead of describing physical appearance, Moses describes God “by His attributes… definitions, that express His very nature or essence.”
  • God proclaims His name and character: “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth… forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”
  • But it is “only half the picture”: God “will by no means clear the guilty,” showing justice is part of the revealed glory.
Discussion Follow-ups How do you tend to talk about “God showed up”—by feelings or by what He said about Himself? What would it change if your idea of intimacy with God was anchored more in His proclaimed attributes than in spiritual intensity?

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