Day 48: God's Presence

 Today's readings: Exodus 33-34, Leviticus 24, and Psalm 80.

I. God is angry about the apostasy of the Israelites with the Golden Calf and commands them to leave Sinai without any ornaments, which they did (33:1-6). Next, the Tent of Meeting is described, "apparently a prototype of the Tabernacle," where Moses used to "converse with God before the sanctuary itself was erected" [Ignatius, 167] (33:7-11). We then get a scene of Moses interceding for the Israelites, pleading with God, who graces him with showing him His goodness (33:12-23). 

With regards to Moses' intercession, the BIY Companion, Vol 1,  notes:

Moses stands before God interceding for the people, prefiguring Jesus in his mediation. The Bible makes it clear that the people of Israel are not unique because of their own goodness or giftedness above other nations.  They are the Chosen People because God entered into a covenant with them. Moses says that if God does not continue to be with them - the one thing that makes them distinct - they will become extinct. (p. 104)

In the next chapter, God commanded Moses to bring two new tablets up Mt. Sinai so He could write upon them the Ten Commandments as from the original (34:1-9). After this, God renewed the covenant with Israel, warning them against idolatry among other things (34:10-28). Upon returning to the people, Moses, with the two tablets and the "skin of his face shone" from his conversation with God, which frightened the Israelites, who had to be reassured (34:29-35).

II. In Leviticus chapter 24, God commands that "pure oil" shall be for the Lamp and the Bread for the Tabernacle shall be of "fine flour" (24:1-9). Then a story of a man who cursed the Name of God is stoned to death, showing how such blasphemy is to be punished by Israel (24:10-23).

III. Psalm 80 is one of lament. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It mourns that Israel has been overrun by invaders. The psalm wrestles with the mystery that God is ultimately behind Israel's suffering insofar as he allowed this to happen (80:4-5, 12), despite his care for Israel in the past (80:8-9). The relationship between God and Israel is compared to a Shepherd and his flock (80:1) as well as a Farmer and his vine (80:8-11). Its plea is heard in the refrain: "restore us, O God" (80:3...). (p. 899)

That's all for today!