Moses' concept of God

How are we to interpret the different conceptions of God attributed to Moses in Deuteronomy?

Concept #1

• • The universal Creator

  • a God of love

  • and trustworthiness

  • a father to his people

  • a God who can be found by searching

  • whose law is written in the heart (De. 4.29, 4.31; 6.4; 30.11-14; 32.4-6)

Concept #2

• • A partisan God of battles

  • a jealous God among foreign gods

  • a God who hardens the heart of the Pharoah

  • a wrathful, devouring fire who threatens the most terrible punishment for those who disobey his commands (De. 1.30; 1.34; 6.14-15; 7.4; 9.8; 11.23; 13.6-10; 20.16-17; 28.15-68; 32.22; 32.41-42)

Interpretive option #1

• • Those who would be orthodox must believe it all.

  • The aspects of “both conceptions” are all revealed aspects of the one, true God . . .

  • however difficult it may be for the human mind to achieve a coordinated understanding of these mysteries.

Interpretive option #2

• • Those who would be wise readers must discern the evolution of religion.

  • These writings represent different authors (from the 10th through the 6th centuries and beyond) . . .

  • who had crude and more highly evolved conceptions of God.

Interpretive option #3

• • Those who would understand the greatness of Moses must recognize his ability to compromise:

  • he said what he had to say in order to keep the people in line,

  • while revealing a higher concept as much as he could.