Why God Spoke to Moses in the Voice of His Father Amram

Midrash Aggadah, Exodus 3:6

"And He said: I am the God of your father, etc." This teaches that He revealed Himself to him in the voice of Amram his father, so that he would not be afraid. And at that moment Moses rejoiced; he said: Amram my father is alive. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: I am not your father, but the God of your father, the God of Abraham. I do not come upon you suddenly, so that you would not be afraid. At that moment, "And Moses hid his face." The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: By your life, you apportioned honor to Me, and I too will apportion honor to you, as it is said, "And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, etc." (Exodus 34:35). You feared to gaze upon God, and the children of Israel too will fear to gaze upon your face, as it says, "and they were afraid to approach him" (Exodus 34:30).

Themes

Biblical References