The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Exodus 33:3 – Did God Change His Mind? Exodus 33 Unpacked

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Host Lance Smith dives into Exodus 33:3 to tackle whether God really changed His mind about going with the Israelites after the golden calf incident.

The episode explains how God’s warning was conditional, how Moses’ intercession led to God’s relenting, and why this is better seen as relational responsiveness—not contradiction.

Listeners will come away with a clearer view of prayer’s power, God’s faithfulness, and practical hope when God seems distant.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

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Email Address: [email protected] 

  1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
  2. Opade, Ochenia Faith. "Historical Grammatical Analysis of Exodus 33:1-6 as a Response to Contemporary Interpretations of Ornaments." Pharos Journal of Theology, Vol. 103, No. 2 (2022). Available at: https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_42_vol_103_2__2022_nigeria.pdf 
  3. Kent, Hannah. "How Moses’ Intercession Changed the Trajectory of Israel (Exodus 33:12-23)." Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium (2019). Available at: https://repository.belmont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=burs 
  4. Stewart, Don. "Did Moses Persuade God to Change His Mind?" Blue Letter Bible. Available at: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/does-god-know-everything/24-did-moses-persuade-god-to-change-his-mind.cfm 
  5. Various Commentators. "Exodus 33:3 Commentary." StudyLight.org. Available at: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/exodus/33-3.html 
  6. "Exodus 33." Walking With Giants Bible Study Notes. Available at: https://www.walkingwithgiants.net/bible-study-notes/old-testament/exodus/exodus-33/ 
  7. Lamb, David T. "The Immutable Mutability of YHWH." Southeastern Theological Review, Vol. 2, No. 1 (2023). Available at: https://www.sebts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/STR_2_1_Lamb.pdf 
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