Yahweh did not show himself directly to the Hebrews. He talked to them indirectly through mediators, priests, while he remained present but hidden in a pillar of cloud. You may ask why this was necessary. Was it because the Hebrews were so impure, so sinful, so corrupt, so unbelieving and rebellious that God could not or refused to deal with them directly and intimately? That could be so, but more likely, I think, it was because such ex-slaves, a primitive, desert tribes people, little educated, very simple, very emotional, very groupist, and more than a little half-pagan like their Semitic brethren and neighbors, that they could not survive a direct, personal encounter with the living but immortal god, Yahweh.
Here are the lines: "Moses and Aaron were among his priests, and Samuel, among those that called his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them. O Lord, our God, you answered them; a forgiving God you were to them, though requiting their misdeeds. Extol the Lord, our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for holy is the Lord, our God."
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