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)
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)
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.
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.
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.