Who is God?

SPLAT | June 11th, 2023

June 11, 2023 • Rev. Ray Lee • Exodus 3:1–6, Exodus 32:1–8, Exodus 34:33–35

Who is God?

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6; 32:1-8; 34:33-35

Rev. Ray Lee

1. When we only know about God we create a mold, a form or a pattern and follow and worship a false version of him.

“Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”

—Exodus 32:1

2. When we spend time with God, we can see him for who he truly is.

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was fully engulfed and immersed in flames, but it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

—Exodus 3:1-6

When Moses finished speaking with the Israelites, he covered his face with a veil, a covering. But whenever he went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.

—Exodus 34:33-35

3. When we truly know God, we can begin to break the molds, the forms and box we’ve created for him.

I will exalt you, my God and King, And praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; Yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.

—Psalm 145:1-3

Talk It Over / Discussion Questions

1. How have you decided who God is and placed him in a mold OR A BOX that is comfortable for you?

2. Is there someone you know who gave off a bad first impression but, as you got to know them over time, showed you more about who they really are? Share your story!

3. In Psalm 8, what had King David learned about God that we often miss?

4. Action for the Week:

God can speak to us through his Word when we create space to listen. READ, PRAY AND MEDITATE ON Psalm 145. What jumps out at you? What do you think God is saying to you through this passage?

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