Exodus 34:1-35
Q.1. On what basis was Moses to return up Mount Sinai? What guidelines did God give? How did Moses approach God? Why? – (Exo.34:1-9)
God instructed Moses to return to the top of Mount Sinai and to bring two stone tablets, in place of the ones he had shattered. He was to ensure that all people and animals stayed well away from the mount (Exo.34:1-4). The Lord spelled out the meaning of His name – 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations” (Exo.34:6-7). The Lord had passed by previously, revealing His glory without letting Moses see His face – for no man can see Me and live (Exo.33:20 c.f. Exo.33:19-23; 34:6). He revealed Himself to be overwhelmingly loving and kind yet warned that sin causes extensive harm. Moses was emboldened to ask that the Lord would accompany Israel despite their fickleness, and – pardon our iniquity and our sin and take us as Your own possession (Ps.34:9).
Q.2. What promise did God make? Why was Israel to drive out the nations of the land? How did God describe His character? – (Exo.34:10-17)
God promised two things – … Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles, which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you (Exo.34:10). God warned them to remove the nations, lest Israel be tempted to follow their evil gods and practices (Exo.34:11-17). They needed to be committed to obey – for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God (Exo.34:14).
Q.3. How was Israel to remember the Lord? What offerings were they to bring to God? How would they remember God’s words? – (Exo.34:18-27)
God reminded Moses that the people were to observe three festivals – Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel (Exo.34:23): (i) the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exo.34:18). (ii) the Feast of Weeks (Exo.34:22). (iii) the Feast of Ingathering (Exo.34:22). All the firstborn and firstlings of the flock belonged to God and were either offered or redeemed (Exo.34:19-20 & 26). They were to work for six days but keep the Sabbath, in order to rest and reflect on the Lord (Exo.34:21). Life blood was precious, as were all the sacrifices made to God. The words of the Covenant were written down, so Israel would remember God’s commandments (Exo.34:27).
Q.4. How long was Moses with the Lord? How did God increase his authority? When did Moses use a veil? – (Exo.34:28-35 c.f. 2 Cor.3:13-16)
Moses was wonderfully sustained by God, even though he did not eat or drink for forty days and nights – And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments (Exo.34:28). Moses was unaware – that the skin of his face shone because of His speaking with Him (Exo.34:29). This gave him a unique authority, as the people – were afraid to come near him (Exo.34:30). Moses kept a veil on his face, except for when he entered the presence of the Lord, and initially when he spoke to the people (Exo.34:31-35). Paul pointed out that the veil was like a covering over the eyes of Israel when they look at Christ. However -whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away (2 Cor.3:16).