This week Veronica and Erika discuss Moses' interaction with God following the golden calf incident. Since the beginning of the book, Moses has grown in his boldness with God. We can't see what Moses saw, but we can hear what he heard.
Questions to consider:
Do you think those verses are out of chronological order?
What is the purpose of the laws given to the people?
Is your view of God the same as Exodus 34:6-7?
Do you think God changes His mind?
You can join us on our Facebook page called "The Context and Color of the Bible" as well as Erika's website erikavanhaitsma.com.
In order to prepare for this study we used the following books or articles:
Exploring Exodus by Nahum Saran
Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom by Dennis Prager
The JPS Commentary on Exodus by The Jewish Publication Society
Messiah - Issue 24
Exodus: Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible by Thomas Joseph White, OP
Exodus: A Mentor Commentary by John L. Mackay
Shadows of the Messiah by First Fruits of Zion, book 2
Miqra Journal - Winter 2003
Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This week Veronica and Erika discuss Moses' interaction with God following the golden calf incident. Since the beginning of the book, Moses has grown in his boldness with God. We can't see what Moses saw, but we can hear what he heard.
Questions to consider:
Do you think those verses are out of chronological order?
What is the purpose of the laws given to the people?
Is your view of God the same as Exodus 34:6-7?
Do you think God changes His mind?
You can join us on our Facebook page called "The Context and Color of the Bible" as well as Erika's website erikavanhaitsma.com.
In order to prepare for this study we used the following books or articles:
Exploring Exodus by Nahum Saran
Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom by Dennis Prager
The JPS Commentary on Exodus by The Jewish Publication Society
Messiah - Issue 24
Exodus: Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible by Thomas Joseph White, OP
Exodus: A Mentor Commentary by John L. Mackay
Shadows of the Messiah by First Fruits of Zion, book 2
Miqra Journal - Winter 2003
Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Veronica: Do you ever want to dive deeper into the Bible but you just don’t know where to begin? Or struggle to feel like you even have the time? When you read the Bible, do you get frustrated because you know there is so much more in there, you just have no clue how to get it out? Or maybe you want to know the Bible better and you’re looking for any resource to help. Then this is the podcast for you. Welcome to the Context and Color of the Bible podcast. We’re sisters, I’m Veronica, I’m Erika. And we love to study the Bible and we love to help others understand it better. We have found when it comes to our own study of Scripture, that bringing context adds to our understanding. It adds color to the black and white pages of the text. Welcome to the book of Exodus.
Veronica: Erika, it is season four, episode fifteen!
Erika: You know what’s funny? We thought we’d be done with the book of Exodus by this point, fifteen weeks. Honestly though, we could take way longer.
Veronica: We could.
Erika: Because we are not going slow.
Veronica: No, we’re not. And we’re not even hitting a lot of details.
We are in God redeems. We haven’t talked about this lately, but God redeems. We watched God redeem Israel.
Erika: In a very powerful story.
Veronica: With a lot of presentation. And then we’ve been in the section of God covenants. And either today or next week, we’ll see how this goes, we will be wrapping up God covenants with His people. And then we’ll be getting into God dwells. And I do think the God dwelling part will go faster. We’re not going to break down every minute detail.
Erika: There are so many Bible studies out there that do that. If you want that broken down.
Veronica: You can go get those resources for yourself. But we do have some things we’ve learned from studying the Tabernacle that we want to bring. And then all of those, God redeems, covenants and dwells, it’s all based on memory. And remembering.
Erika: What God has done and what He’s doing and why.
Veronica: So, last week we left off at the end of chapter thirty-two. We’ve just had the golden calf incident. We were looking at how God and Moses were discussing it.
Erika: A very fascinating discussion with a lot of chutzpah. And audacity on Moses’ part.
Veronica: Yes, and then Moses went down the mountain with Joshua. He interacted with the people.
Erika: Gave them a little whoopin!
Veronica: Yeah, we saw the consequences of their actions and now we’re going back up in thirty-three. I’m assuming Moses is back up the mountain.
Erika: That was my assumption.
Veronica: It doesn’t actually say that though.
Erika: No, but he kind of has to be.
Veronica: We’re back to God and Moses talking. Let’s just put it that way. Where the location is doesn’t matter.
Erika: Yeah, that’s true. It doesn’t.
Veronica: God and Moses are talking. And so, Erika, I’ll let you start with…
Erika: With verse seven?
Veronica: Well, I was just going to say, are we skipping to verse seven?
Erika: Yeah
Veronica: So, okay. Before Erika starts, verses seven through eleven are set up differently in the Hebrew than the rest of the surrounding verses. Do you want to explain how?
Erika: Yeah, they actually go into the past tense. Up to this point, the verbs in the Hebrew are present tense and for those who need a reminder, present tense is like “I am doing something at this moment.” Past tense means it’s previously done.
Veronica: So by saying seven through eleven are past tense…
Erika: They’re past tense verbs. Moses went. This was something he did.
Veronica: I thought you said it was future past tense.
Erika: Well, it’s future past tense. Because it’s going to happen. That’s kind of the confusing thing. The Bible doesn’t always go chronologically. That’s not its point. Again, in the Western world, for us, history is in a straight line. You live your dot, you walk your life, your dot, your line is done.
Veronica: Right and when we read biographies, it’s always chronological.
Erika: Yes. Linear. But in the Middle Eastern mindset, they understand that history, life, has cycles. And so it’s more a circle. And exactly when something happened is less important than that it happened and the understanding and the lesson we can learn from it. So they have no problem taking things out of chronological order and putting them somewhere where it fits.
Veronica: Because you’re building to a point. It’s more, you’re weaving and creating a story and so the point we’re getting between seven through eleven, is a more important point than having chronologically.
Erika: Right. Because they don’t think chronologically. So to them, they’d be like, well why? That’s not even a thought. They think in circles. We think in linear lines.
Veronica: Ok, so what would be the point of having, pulling from the future, to put this here?
Erika: Right. So they’re showcasing it by putting it in past tense, but the tent of meeting is the Tabernacle. So at this point, the Tent of Meeting has been built. The Tabernacle has been built. Even though, technically, chronologically speaking, it has not. Moses right here, by inserting it, saying, ok God’s intention was to be in the midst of His people, in the center of His camp, in the heartbeat, where His people would have access to Him. God would be dwelling. And everybody’s a priest, with access to enter, the ability to enter His tent. But because of the break with the golden calf, Veronica, His tent, there’s a change in the relationship and now He’s outside the camp. He’s not able to be in the midst of His people and now Moses is the one who is able to enter His presence. And so, from what I’ve studied and from what I’ve heard others say, I would say the reason this is put here is to show the reader literarily speaking, there’s been a change. The relationships still exist, the Tabernacle will still be built. God will still be with His people, but now we have to make a change because that break was so big and so hurt and devastated the heart of God, we have to make a change in how this relationship is going to function. So the author, Moses, does that by putting this little, “hey the Tabernacle’s outside the camp.” God’s presence is now outside the camp, the people don’t have free access.
Veronica: And the idea, whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud, standing at the entrance, they stood and worshiped each at their tent and the Lord would speak to Moses face to face. You just see, Moses, you have a different relationship with God, that they don’t. There’s a boundary again. Like we had the boundaries on Mount Sinai, boundaries in the Tabernacle. There is still a boundary here that Moses, you are that intermediary between God and the people.
Erika: So I would say that’s the point of seven through eleven.
Veronica: But what I also love, then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aid Joshua did not leave the tent.
Erika: Could you imagine being Joshua?
Veronica: No! I think Joshua got the better end of the deal.
Erika: Seriously, you get to be here to like…was that? Did that become normal for him after awhile? What was that like for Joshua?
Veronica: So just I think after Moses died and Joshua was on his own, he had been prepared. Which we aren’t going to go into again. So moving on then Erika…
Erika: Right, verses twelve through fifteen are an amazing little interaction between God and Moses. Moses said to the Lord, you’ve been telling me to lead these people but you won’t tell me who you will send with me. You said, I know you by name, you found favor with me, if you’re pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you, continue to find favor with you. Remember, this nation is your people. And the Lord says to Moses, this is interesting, my presence will go with you and I will give you rest. And apparently it’s a very individualistic you right there. Because it’s on Moses on whom God’s favor rests. And Moses says, if your presence doesn’t go with us, do not send us up. How will anyone know you are pleased with us unless you go with us? And so Moses comes back and goes, oh uh oh God, it’s not enough that you’re pleased with me, I need it to be us.
Veronica: Which again shows Moses’s humility.
Erika: Right. Because how many of us would honestly say, “Great. God you’re pleased with me and not them. Like, hey, guess who stands in favor with God.”
Veronica: Favor is that Hebrew word which is in the New Testament as grace. So you’ve got that connection. This is favor/grace. And God says Moses, my favor rests on you. You’ve been obedient, you have been righteous, you have my favor, my grace. And Moses stands up and says “Great, but let me stand in for the people.” So if your favor rests on me, God, let it extend to everybody behind me. Let me be the bridge that your favor, your grace, can be poured out on all of Israel. Take it from me and move it to all of us, extend it.
Veronica: Well, I see it like a spotlight. A very specific spotlight, shining down on Moses and Moses saying, no God, widen it. Make that spotlight bigger so it includes everybody.
Erika: And what does that remind us of Veronica?
Veronica: Well I only know it because you said it to me earlier, but the idea of what we keep coming back to is in the time of Jesus, the Jews are looking for Messiah, a redeemer like Moses. And so here you see Moses saying, take your favor God that You’re shining on me, and spread it to everybody. Spread it to all of Israel. And Jesus does the same thing. Jesus gets the spotlight of God’s favor but then He shines it bigger and God’s grace on all of us.
Erika: Yes, because we tend to say that grace is unmerited. Like that’s the whole big thing of grace in the church. Like, grace means you didn’t earn it. But Moses earned that favor through his obedience. He wasn’t perfect, but his desire was to honor and bless God. Jesus was perfect. Jesus earned God’s favor through his obedience, through his suffering. Jesus’ life was faithful one hundred percent. So God’s favor rests on him. Yes, on one hand because it’s His Son, but on the other hand, because of His perfect, spotless, obedient life. Sinless life. Jesus earned that grace and that favor and then Jesus turns around and says okay God, that favor Father that you’ve poured out on Me, that grace, pour it out on my church. Pour it out on My people, let Me be the conduit, let it be My grace and let it pour out on them. So that grace that we live in was earned. It was earned. Not by us, but it was earned by our Savior. And so, as the first redeemer, Moses is called the first redeemer, Jesus is the last redeemer, there’s a similarity there that we can point to. So grace is earned. Tell your Sunday School teacher that one.
Veronica: See what kind of conversations you get going from that. But I love Moses’ boldness here. I love that he’s willing. We talked about this recently, he’s willing to go back and forth and go, God, it’s not enough. It’s not enough, can you do more?
Erika: And the idea that its God’s love for Moses that is the launching point from which God says, ok Moses, because I love you, I am going to extend grace to all of them. You know, and I’ve started praying this way Veronica. Right now saying, ok Lord, the church is struggling, I think we can all agree for probably different reasons, the church is really struggling at least in America. And I think in the western world, it’s really struggling. So I have started praying, Lord, the favor and love you have poured out on your Son, turn around and pour it on your church, we need more of you Lord God, because we’re really struggling down here. So use that favor God from your Son and bless us with it. Pour out your spirit, because we need more. We’re blind to the struggles down here.
Veronica: But you look, and you go, but look what Moses was willing to ask of God. Let me see your glory. It’s always like, oh my word, what was the like? Because Moses doesn’t really describe it. There’s no physical description. I think the idea of you can see my back, my glory passes, and I’ll remove my hand and you can see my back, but you must not see my face, I don’t think it’s, that almost seems too simple. There’s probably something more.
Erika: Right. There’s probably really no way to describe it in all honesty.
Veronica: Right, but I love what you said.
Erika: As readers, I mean God obviously knew that this was going to last forever as, that readers, that one day there would be people just reading this. We can’t see what Moses saw. But we can hear what Moses heard. And that is the experience of God that has been passed down through the centuries, the millennia. We get to listen in, that is how we get to experience God. Through His work, through… We don’t get to see it but we get to hear it. And that is God’s presence for us. Does that make sense?
Veronica: I think so. It made sense to me. I mean, the idea of, we don’t see it, but we get to hear who God is.
Erika: Right, and that’s the presence of God.
Veronica: So then you look at… I’m going to jump to 34:6. He passed in front of Moses proclaiming…so we’re not seeing it, but we’re hearing it. And some thing else just real quick that came to the top of my head, you see that regularly in Revelation. They hear a sound, and then they turn and see something different.
Erika: Yes, there’s a lot of Scripture that the focus is on what’s heard more than what’s seen. The story that’s given to you rather than how did this actually happen and where did these people stand…the idea’s not to always recreate the story so we can get the historical setting completely, but what’s the story we’ve been given, what’s the details we’ve been given and a lot of times focus on what can be heard. Because that’s where we the reader can join in.
Veronica: Right. And that’s what’s going to stick with us. So what it says it, He passed in front of Moses proclaiming the Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet, He does not leave the guilty unpunished. He punishes the children and their children for the sins of the parents to the third and fourth generation. And, before we start explaining some of those.
Erika: Wait, you jumped to thirty four right?
Veronica: Yes, I did.
Erika: We’re done with thirty three?
Veronica: Well no, but it just kind of fit with what Moses saw. So if we need to swing back around, we’re not going linear Erika, we’re going in a circle.
Erika: Yes, I can do that.
Veronica: But I just want to say while we are here, here is what Moses heard, if this is not your view of God.
Erika: Yes, good point.
Veronica: Then, we’re going to encourage you, memorize these verses. Thirty four, six through seven. It’s not a lot, but this is who God is. So if you’re struggling, saying I don’t know who God is. Moses saw God and here’s what he learned from this.
Erika: Right, if you want to see God, memorize these verses.
Veronica: If you want to see God, hear these words.
Erika: Yes, it’s an interesting contrast but I think that’s the way it is.
Veronica: Because we have YouTube videos on abounding in love and faithfulness - chesed and emunah - where Erika does an amazing job. I’m going to keep pushing these videos because we all need to know these words. Because we’re not going to take the time to go through it. But that’s what I wanted to go with. I was fitting with the story arc. Would you now like Erika to jump back?
Erika: No, that was a good, a very fitting appropriate story arc. But I find it fascinating…. because why, Veronica, did God give the people these commands in the first place? What was the point in setting up this covenant and giving these people these commands?
Veronica: The point was to make them different, to be a light to the nations. And that’s one thing as I’ve been studying this, as we’ve been talking about it at our Tuesday night Bible study, these laws were given to say Israel, you have a job to do. Your job is to be a light to the nations and to point people to me. This has nothing to do with Israel, I’ve saved you…
Erika: Right, they’ve already been saved. Redemption happened already.
Veronica: Right, but now, you’ve been redeeming for a purpose. Israel, be a light. And if you read the minor prophets, even the major prophets, you see that. Be a light to the gentiles, be a light to the gentiles, be a light to the world. So these laws, intentionally picking that word laws, are not here to be a list of do’s and don’ts. These laws are here to say, you’ve been chosen. You have a job, here’s how you do your job. Just like anyone who goes to work and is given a task, you need to know the expectations and how to complete that task.
Erika: And added to that, because it’s easy then to think, well okay, then as long as I check off my box. I’m good. That would be, as human beings, I am learning, if we can take the wrong way, we often do. It’s sad sometimes. And so I think it would be easy to say, ok, that’s all that matters then is that box of checking off those do’s and don’ts. And here you see Moses saying, ok God, it’s not enough that we have these commands. Yes, we need to obey them, but on top of that God, we need your Presence. It’s Your Presence that gives us that extra defining difference. Because let’s be honest, non-believers can be very kind. Non-believers can stay faithful to their spouse, can be hard workers, can be people of integrity, there are a lot of good people out there that don’t believe in Jesus. And so, sometimes, you know, I have some great neighbors, and I wonder, Lord, how am I supposed to be different when they are so generous? And you know, they’re good parents and they love their kids. I’m a believer, what sets me apart from them? And, you’ve been very encouraging Veronica, showing me, here are things that set you apart. But also, it is the presence of the living God. As I’m living out these commands, as I’m being obedient to your word God, I need your presence to make that extra. To make that extra distinction.
Veronica: Because otherwise, you just have a bunch of moral people…
Erika: Right, which are important, let’s be honest. We need moral people.
Veronica: We do. But if you just have a group of moral people, that’s not ultimate purpose or aim or defining factor.
Erika: Oh, that’s a good point. Yeah. Yes, morality in and of itself, is that an endpoint? Whole philosophical discussion, we won’t get into.
Veronica: Right. And I mean, and Israel was surrounded by the Canaanites, horrible people. A lot of non-moral people. But you do have different nations and areas that are moral, that try to be good, but it’s not just a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s not, be good, be kind. There’s something you’re aiming for.
Erika: Yes, yes, when I’m being kind, it’s not just to be kind, it’s to show you my God, who is kind. When I’m being faithful to my spouse, even though maybe I’ve got a rough marriage and I don’t love that person right now, it’s to show you there’s a God who is faithful, even when I’m not loveable. When I’m disciplining my kids, when I’m kind at the grocery store, when I’m faithful at work to a boss who’s a jerk, don’t gossip with my co-workers, it’s to show you there’s a God who is different.
Veronica: Well I feel like it’s kind of that I’m reflecting, I’m spotlighting something bigger. It’s not stopping at me. I’m reflecting back to my God. This is to bring Him glory, it’s to let His light shine through me. And so, I kind of think of Moses’ face shone with God’s glory. So it’s like, we were supposed, the Jews were all supposed to shine with God’s glory like that. And so, we are good, we are kind to point back to God.
Erika: Right, that’s important. Not to ourselves. Yes. But it just, it strikes me, how often do we get up in the morning and say, God I need you. I need your presence, right.
Veronica: Right. It needs to start there.
Erika: It needs to start with, yes I need to obey. And when I mess up, I need to repent. I am learning the importance of repentance and we don’t talk about that as a church but we need to repent but it first needs to start with God, I need your presence.
Veronica: Right. Because that’s where Moses started saying I need You.
Erika: If I have nothing else God, I need You. If I have nothing else, I need You. And how often do we wake up in the morning and that’s not your first thought. I need more sleep. I need more coffee. Right, I think that’s an important start.
Veronica: Do you want to jump into thirty-four then.
Erika: Not yet.
Veronica: Ok, that’s why I asked.
Erika: Well, like verse nineteen. We had this discussion. Does God change His mind Veronica?
Veronica: No.
Erika: Umm what’s verse nineteen?
Veronica: I was just looking it up. And the Lord said, I will cause all of my goodness to pass in front of you and I will proclaim my name, the Lord in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Erika: I’m not sure why I picked that verse for this but the thought is, does God change His mind? No. So….
Veronica: It sounds like there’s times when you do get God changing His mind. Which, if we think humanely, I’m changing my mind, often because I didn’t have all the facts.
Erika: I made a mistake or rethought and went, oh no, this would be better. Because we’re fallible, we’re finite. We don’t know everything. So sometimes we have to go, oh, I was wrong, yes, this is a better way. But God is infallible. God does know everything so when God says Moses I’m not sending my presence with the people, but with you, and Moses comes back and says, no, you’ve got to send with all of us and God says, ok I will, did God change His mind right there? No, He didn’t. The point is not that God changes His mind. The point is that God is affected by human behavior. God leaves Himself open to responding to our prayers and our actions. And so when we come along and say God, help, move here, do this. You may be the person God says, ok, I’m going to send my presence there. Ok, I’m going to move in this way because you asked.
Veronica: So it’s almost like God is saying no, but throwing it back on, what are you going to ask?
Erika: Right.
Veronica: I’m going to say no, but if you’re willing to ask for more, I will change my mind.
Erika: If you’re willing to persevere I’m willing to say yes, which feels a bit dangerous. But I think, it’s also good. God is not an unmoved mover. Like Aristotle put it.
Veronica: God is personal.
Erika: Relational.
Veronica: He’s wanting that relation; He’s wanting us to come and ask. Okay, I said no, are you just going to take it, or are you coming to ask?
Erika: Remember that one time, Veronica, when God told you no? You shared this story before, and God made it obvious no. So there are times when you're going to get that, that answer is no. And you can ask, but it’s still going to be no.
Veronica: Yes…real quick. I wanted to stay in Fort Wayne for the summer when I was married and my husband wanted to move back to Michigan for the summer. And I knew back like in March, God told me, no, you’re going to Ludington and I fought it for three months.
Erika: That would be an unmovable answer. But God was gracious.
Veronica: And in the end, God was right. It was a good thing in our marriage.
Erika: It was a fun summer to have you home.
Veronica: Yes, but it was just funny. I knew God told me no. But I was like, nope, the prayers of a righteous man avail much, I’m going to persist, and I’m going to be that persistent widow, and God was like, nope, not working here.
Erika: So maybe the takeaway here is to persevere in prayer but understand there is a point…
Veronica: There are times where God says no and the line’s drawn in the sand.
Erika: Right, but if you don’t feel that. Why not push? And we’re not saying, God, you have to? But it’s a legit back and forth.
Veronica: Yes, it’s more going back to God and going, I don’t understand, I don’t see.
Erika: Right, I have done that so many times over the last few years Veronica, just saying, God, I don’t get this. How do I wrestle with this? Help me struggle with this because I don’t see you, I don’t get this, I’m not sure what you’re doing here. This hurts. That’s more wrestling than I think Moses…
Veronica: Right, anyways, persevere…
Erika: Right, God is moved by our prayers. And we don’t change His mind, but I think He leaves Himself open to being influenced or changing what He was going to do because of our prayers.
Veronica: Do you have anything else now Erika on chapter thirty-four?
Erika: No.
Veronica: This is the joy of the two of us teaching together. Because we look at these chapters differently.
Erika: Oh, verse nineteen talks about God’s goodness. And, you know, it’s good to say that God is love, because God is love. But it’s important to remember that God said His essence is goodness because there are a lot of people who love bad things. And love doesn’t mean you’re going to do the right thing. It depends on what you love. Love is amoral. If you love a good thing, you’ll do good things. But if you love a bad thing, you do a lot of bad things. I mean there have been horrible people that have still been loved by others. And sometimes people do bad things in the name of love.
Veronica: Or I’m thinking, of just like couples, Bonnie and Clyde. You know, who do…
Erika: They have a legit love of each other, but look at the horrible things they did together. So for God to say His essence is goodness means His actions are good. Because you can do good things even without a good feelings. The important thing is not what I feel…
Veronica: Right, because love is more of a feeling, the good is the action.
Erika: Right, the action that comes out of it. And so it’s important that God, again, it’s one of those things like you said. If this is not what you know of God, of your experience of God, sometimes it’s not hard to believe God exists. Sometimes it’s hard to believe He’s good if you look around at the injustice and all the craziness going on in the world, to have that belief that God is good, justice will come one day God is going to say enough, this is right and this is wrong and God will bless and reward those who were faithful and obedient and He will punish the wicked. To have that belief that God is good can honestly carry you through some hard times. Bryan and I were talking about this the other day and I was like, we have to keep our eye on the fact that God is good, God is just. And justice will come. That’s good because right now I don’t see it. It doesn’t feel just. Some of the things that are happening. But God is good.
Veronica: But that’s why your bigger view of God is necessary. He’s not limited to here and now. He is good and I’m going to rest and trust in that.
Erika: Right. Because you said earlier, Veronica, that justice may come in the life to come.
Veronica: Right, I don’t remember where I read that.
Erika: Right. Justice may come after this life is done. Which talks of an afterlife then. The idea that God is good and just. But it will come.
Veronica: I think that was actually my chapter thirty-four notes.
Erika: Sorry.
Veronica: No, because we’re there. Oh, God gets angry at the people, this is Dennis Prager’s words, “but it takes a great deal to make Him angry. Otherwise, given the state of human behavior, He’d presumably be in a permanent state of anger. And because God is slow to anger, people have time to repent before He exacts any harsh punishment. God does not clear the guilty, which means there is ultimate justice. Another strong hint that there is an afterlife where the guilty are punished and the good rewarded, because that is surely not the rule in this life.”
Erika: Right, it’s not. Psalm seventy-three is a great psalm to pray and memorize if you’re struggling with this.
Veronica: So as we wrap up, that’s our hope. That’s our encouragement. If you don’t feel that God is good…
Erika: But we can still wrestle with this idea, God are you good? Do you see what’s happening?
Veronica: Turn to Exodus thirty-four, six and seven and just soak in those words. Every day when you brush your teeth, read them. When you brush in the morning and at night, have them in your car so when you’re driving, have them at the sink so when you’re washing dishes or washing your hands, make that where you’re soaking. Pray that over your family. Pray that over your friends. You know, if you know someone who’s struggling with seeing God’s goodness, pray that. That’s our hope as we wrap up for today.
Erika: He is a good God.
Veronica: This is the Context and the Color of the Bible podcast. We are available wherever podcasts are accessible. We also have Erika’s website, Erikavanhaitsma.com Join our Facebook group. We’d love for people to like, subscribe, share, rate, whatever you can do to push us up so we can get our podcast out to more people because we do think it’s important for people to know who Moses is and more importantly who God is, because that will ultimately give us encouragement to make it through today. Thanks for joining us. Bye!