The Unfolding Mystery of the Divine Name: The God of Sinai in Our Midst

by Michael P. Knowles

When Moses asked God to show him his glory, the Lord passed before him and proclaimed his name. And from that name cascaded a promise of grace and love, compassion and faithfulness, forgiveness and slowness to anger. The story is told in Exodus 34:5-7, but the resonant name reverberates through the corridors of Scripture.Michael Knowles teases out the rich dimensions and implications of this name by listening carefully to Exodus 34 and its biblical echoes. He particularly tunes his ear to the spiritual meditations of later sages. In tracing the unfolding mystery of the divine name throughout the span of Israel's story, he finds it startlingly resolved in the God of Sinai becoming present in our midst.The manifold name of God has long captivated those who trace their spiritual ancestry to Abraham, whether they are Jewish, Christian or Muslim. This book brings this spiritual quest into dialogue with Scripture and tradition, and invites us to experience this God of the eternal name.

Genres: Old Testament

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2012

Reviews

[Drew Fajen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Knowles' approach to Exodus. 34:6-7. Using this as a resource for a series I preached this July on God's self-revelation. This book, while discussing some Muslim views, mostly focuses on Christian and Jewish thought. Understandably so, because there doesn't appear to be as much Muslim writing on the topic as there is Jewish and Christian. Big fan!


On the vagueness of the keeping steadfast love to thousands, Knowles suggests that it could (maybe should) be interpreted as "thousands of people, thousands of generations, thousands of sins forgiven" (Knowles, 144)

On God revealing Himself to Moses-- "Each exchange leads to further unfolding of the meaning of His Name. God's "ways" (33:13), God's "goodness," graciousness and mercy (33:19), even God's "glory" (33:28)-- all are expressions of the same divine character. As such they are all summed up in the meaning of God's "name," soon to be articulated more fully in Ex. 34:6-7" (Knowles, 39)

Summarizing the passage, Knowles writes, "The things we learn about God here are moral, relational, and covenantal."(Knowles, 45)

[Ray Clendenen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a great deal. It is a kind of exposition of Exodus 34:5-9 about various key attributes of God. Although the author is a professor of homiletics, his knowledge of biblical studies is quite impressive. I was especially surprised at his knowledge of rabbinics. What is especially distinctive about the book is how the author relates the biblical understanding of the various divine attributes to the treatment of those attributes in post-biblical Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Although the author is Christian, he sees great value in the insights of the other perspectives—sometimes a bit uncomfortably so. An important theme is the application of the attributes to ethics. When the Bible says we are to be holy/perfect as God is, it is referring primarily to God's compassion/mercy. Knowles repeatedly shows that ethics is based on the believer practicing the character of his/her God. An excellent book.

[David Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a catalogue of historical interpretations, this is a book for you. I found it opaque and fragmented.