# Overview Exodus Chapter 34 details a pivotal moment in the relationship between #God and the nation of #Israel. Following the previous incident of the golden calf, #Moses ascends #MountSinai once more to receive the #TenCommandments on new tablets, as the first were broken due to the people's idolatry. This chapter highlights #God's enduring mercy and steadfast love, as He proclaims His nature to Moses: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6). This declaration underscores the divine attributes that form the foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Additionally, God renews the covenant, emphasizing a call to holiness, obedience to His commandments, and the avoidance of idolatry, marking a fresh start for #Israel after their transgressions. The chapter concludes with Moses descending from the mountain, his face radiant from the encounter with God. This radiance symbolizes the transformative power of God's presence and serves as a visible testament to the authenticity of Moses' divine commission. The people of Israel, witnessing Moses' shining face, are initially fearful, but Moses reassures them by covering his face with a veil, which he removes only when speaking directly to God. This account not only reinforces Moses' role as mediator between God and Israel but also foreshadows the glory of the new covenant in #Christ, as reflected in #2Corinthians 3:7-18, where the veil is lifted through the Spirit, granting believers direct access to God's glory. The events of Exodus 34 serve as a profound reminder of God's grace and the call to live in faithful obedience to His commandments. ## Theological Insights Exodus 34 provides profound theological insights into the nature of #God and His covenant relationship with #Israel. This chapter begins with God instructing #Moses to chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, symbolizing the renewal of the covenant after the golden calf incident. This act of renewal highlights God's desire for reconciliation and His readiness to forgive, reflecting His merciful nature. In verses 6-7, God proclaims His own character to Moses: "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished..." This self-revelation is foundational for understanding God’s character throughout the #Bible. God's justice is intrinsic to His holiness, yet it is balanced by His abundant mercy and grace. This dual aspect of God's nature is echoed throughout scripture, such as in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 103]] and [[John/John Chapter 1]]. Moses’ reaction to God’s revelation, where he bows to the ground and worships, sets a model for how #Israel is to respond to God’s presence—humility and obedience. The renewal of the covenant, including the reiteration of commands regarding idolatry, feasts, and offerings, underscores the call to holiness and distinctiveness for God’s people. This covenant is not merely a legal contract but a relational bond intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation, as previously stated in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 19]]. Additionally, the shining of Moses’ face after being in God’s presence (verses 29-35) signifies the transformative power of encountering God. This theme of transformation through divine presence is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to reflect God's glory, as seen in [[2 Corinthians/2 Corinthians Chapter 3]]. Overall, Exodus 34 unveils God’s gracious willingness to renew His covenant, His self-disclosure of His compassionate nature, and the transformative encounters that His presence facilitates. These themes are integral to the biblical narrative and continue to influence Christian theology today. ## Thematic Connections ### Renewal of the Covenant Exodus 34 is centered around the theme of #covenant renewal. This chapter recounts how #Moses ascends #MountSinai once more to receive the #TenCommandments after the Israelites broke the initial covenant by worshipping the golden calf. This renewal reflects God's steadfast commitment to His people despite their failures, paralleling the renewal of promises in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 17]] with #Abraham and [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 28]] with #Jacob. This theme reinforces the idea that God’s covenant with His people is enduring and based on His faithfulness rather than human merit. ### Divine Revelation and Character In this chapter, God reveals His character to Moses by proclaiming His name and attributes (Exodus 34:6-7), highlighting themes of mercy, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, and justice. This revelation parallels earlier instances where God reveals His name and nature, such as in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 3|Exodus 3:14]] with the name "I AM." The emphasis on God's compassionate and just character is echoed throughout Scripture, including in the Psalms (e.g., [[Psalms/Psalm 103]]) and the prophets like [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah 31]]. ### The Glory of God Moses’ face shining after speaking with God (Exodus 34:29-35) underscores the theme of divine glory. This radiance serves as a visual testament of God’s presence and is symbolic of transformation through direct communion with God. Similar instances of divine glory are seen in the New Testament, such as the #Transfiguration of Jesus in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17]], where Jesus' face shone like the sun, indicating a divine encounter. This theme emphasizes the transformative power of encountering God’s presence. ### Law and Worship Exodus 34 also reiterates the importance of adherence to God’s law and proper worship practices for Israel. The commands regarding the observance of festivals, the Sabbath, and the prohibition against idolatry reflect the centrality of worship in the life of the Israelites. This theme of law and worship is consistent with earlier instructions given in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20]] and is reaffirmed in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 6]], emphasizing that obedience and worship are integral to maintaining the covenant relationship with God. ### Intercession and Mediation Moses’ role as an intercessor and mediator between God and Israel is highlighted once again in this chapter. By ascending the mountain to receive the law and interceding on behalf of the people, Moses prefigures the ultimate mediator, [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 2|Jesus Christ]], who intercedes on behalf of humanity before God. This theme of mediation is a thread that runs through the biblical narrative, pointing to the necessity of a mediator in the relationship between a holy God and His people. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Renewal of the Covenant In #Exodus 34, God renews His covenant with #Israel, emphasizing His faithfulness and mercy. This renewal foreshadows the new covenant established through [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], as prophesied in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31|Jeremiah 31:31-34]], where God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people. Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection fulfill this prophecy, inaugurating a new covenant of grace and truth. ### The Glory of God Revealed In verses 5-7 of #Exodus 34, God proclaims His name and character to #Moses, revealing His glory, compassion, grace, and justice. This revelation of God's glory foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God’s glory in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], as described in [[John/John Chapter 1|John 1:14]], where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. Jesus embodies the fullness of God’s gracious and compassionate nature, fulfilling the revelation Moses experienced. ### The Radiant Face of Moses Moses’ face shines with the glory of God after speaking with Him, symbolizing the transformative power of God’s presence. This transformation prefigures the transfiguration of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], depicted in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17|Matthew 17:1-2]], where Jesus’ face shines like the sun, revealing His divine nature to #Peter, #James, and #John. This event underscores Jesus as the true mediator between God and humanity, surpassing Moses’ mediation. ### The Sabbath Commandment In verse 21, the Sabbath command is reaffirmed, serving as a sign of the covenant relationship between God and #Israel. This observance points to the ultimate rest found in #Christ, as highlighted in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 4|Hebrews 4:9-10]], where believers are invited to enter into God’s rest through faith in Jesus. The Sabbath becomes a shadow of the rest and peace offered through Christ’s redemptive work. ### The Foreshadowing of Divine Presence The instructions for the construction of the #Tabernacle and God’s promise to dwell among His people hint at a future fulfillment in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who is referred to as “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us” in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1|Matthew 1:23]]. Jesus’ incarnation and the indwelling of the #HolySpirit in believers fulfill the promise of God’s presence among His people, surpassing the temporary dwelling of God in the Tabernacle. ## Verses - **Exodus 34:1** - "Then the Lord told Moses, 'Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed.'" - Notes: See [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 32]] for the incident of smashing the tablets. - **Exodus 34:2** - "Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain." - Notes: See [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 19]] for the initial ascent to Mount Sinai. - **Exodus 34:3** - "No one else may come with you. In fact, no one is to appear anywhere on the mountain. Do not even let the flocks or herds graze near the mountain." - **Exodus 34:4** - "So Moses chiseled out two tablets of stone like the first ones. Early in the morning he climbed Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands." - **Exodus 34:5** - "Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh." - **Exodus 34:6** - "The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, 'Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.'" - Notes: Attributes of God are reiterated in several passages, such as [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 86]]. - **Exodus 34:7** - "I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations." - Notes: See [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 5]] for similar language regarding generational impacts. - **Exodus 34:8** - "Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped." - **Exodus 34:9** - "And he said, 'O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.'" - **Exodus 34:10** - "The Lord replied, 'Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you.'" - **Exodus 34:11** - "But listen carefully to everything I command you today. Then I will go ahead of you and drive out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites." - Notes: The driving out of these nations is a recurring theme, see [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 3]]. - **Exodus 34:12** - "Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped." - **Exodus 34:13** - "Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles." - **Exodus 34:14** - "You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you." - **Exodus 34:15** - "You must not make a treaty of any kind with the people living in the land. They lust after their gods, offering sacrifices to them. They will invite you to join them in their sacrificial meals, and you will go with them." - **Exodus 34:16** - "Then you will accept their daughters, who sacrifice to other gods, as wives for your sons. And they will seduce your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods." - **Exodus 34:17** - "You must not make any gods of molten metal for yourselves." - **Exodus 34:18** - "You must celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days, the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt." - Notes: See [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12]] for the original Passover instructions. - **Exodus 34:19** - "The firstborn of every animal belongs to me, including the firstborn males from your herds of cattle and your flocks of sheep and goats." - **Exodus 34:20** - "A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the Lord by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son. 'No one may appear before me without an offering.'" - **Exodus 34:21** - "You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day, you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest." - **Exodus 34:22** - "You must celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first crop of the wheat harvest, and celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season." - **Exodus 34:23** - "Three times each year every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord, the God of Israel." - **Exodus 34:24** - "I will drive out the other nations ahead of you and expand your territory, so no one will covet and conquer your land while you appear before the Lord your God three times each year." - **Exodus 34:25** - "You must not offer the blood of my sacrificial offerings together with any baked goods containing yeast. And none of the meat of the Passover sacrifice may be kept over until the next morning." - **Exodus 34:26** - "As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God. 'You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.'" - **Exodus 34:27** - "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.'" - **Exodus 34:28** - "Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets." - Notes: See [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 10]] for a recount of Moses’ fasting. - **Exodus 34:29** - "When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord." - **Exodus 34:30** - "So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him." - **Exodus 34:31** - "But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them." - **Exodus 34:32** - "Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai." - **Exodus 34:33** - "When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil." - **Exodus 34:34** - "But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him," - **Exodus 34:35** - "and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord again."