Like Moses (Ex. 33:18), the brother of Jared now requests a confirming vision and presence of God. Where he had previously feared that Yahweh would smite him for what he saw, he now requests an even greater vision. What has changed? How has the brother of Jared gone from apparent fear and shock to this bold, personal request?
In a very real sense, the change was caused because the brother of Jared understands Yahweh as a person; and hence, he could make a personal request of God. As a person, Yahweh can have, and may even wish to have, an intimate relationship with a mortal human being. The brother of Jared has also heard Yahweh praise his faith rather than wrathfully denounce and punish him. In this instant, the entire nature of the relationship between God and man has been redefined.