Moses Makes The Second Set of Commandments

Topic: Motivation

Passage: Exodus 34:1–9

February 1, 2021

Commentary

This passage gives the sequel to what has gone before. Up to this point in time God had dealt with Israel through His unconditional covenant with Abraham. In that covenant there was nothing in which Israel could keep. There was no conditions and no stipulations attached to it. It was a covenant of pure grace. But now, at Sinai, God purposes another covenant which is conditional. It is a covenant with Israel which must be kept if they were to enjoy the blessings attached to it. This covenant, known as “The Ten Commandments” was to be written on two tables of stone. As you know, because of the wickedness of the people, Moses broke the first tablets of stone which contained these commandments. Nothing but the intercession of a mediator (Moses) could have saved Israel at that time from utter extermination by the wrath of God.

Now in this chapter Moses is invited, by the Lord, to again ascend Mount Sinai with two stone tablets, chiseled like the first ones (vv. 1-4). On the mountain Moses experiences a new vision of the glory of God. God reveals his character to Moses (vv. 5-6). He tells him that His name Yahweh (the Lord) means that He is a God of compassion, grace, loyalty, love, faithfulness and forgiveness, as well as a God of righteousness and judgment. He says he will keep His promises forever, but He will punish anyone who sins including their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (v. 7). At this Moses bows down and worships the Lord. He admits the people are sinful and rebellious but asks that He will forgive them and allow them to live (vv. 8-9).

Application

It is so easy for me to give up on certain people because of sin in their life? This example of Moses and how God answered his prayers motivates me to continue praying for these people.

Exodus 34:1– 9 (NET)

¹ The Lord said to Moses, “Cut out two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you smashed. ² Be prepared in the morning, and go up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and station yourself for me there on the top of the mountain. ³ No one is to come up with you; do not let anyone be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks or the herds may graze in front of that mountain.” ⁴ So Moses cut out two tablets of stone like the first; early in the morning he went up to Mount Sinai, just as the Lord had commanded him, and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.

⁵ The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the Lord by name. ⁶ The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, ⁷ keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.”

⁸ Moses quickly bowed to the ground and worshiped ⁹ and said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, let my Lord go among us, for we are a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”