Exodus 34: A Renewed Covenant

MIJN Team
Mar 15
2 min read

Key Verse: Exodus 34:6-7"The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty."

After Israel’s great failure with the golden calf, God does something amazing—He renews His covenant.

Moses had shattered the first stone tablets in anger. But now, God calls him back up the mountain to receive His law again. This is a picture of grace.

Israel had broken their promise, but God was not finished with them.

The Name of the Lord

As Moses stands on Mount Sinai, God reveals something even greater than the Law—He reveals His character.

He proclaims His name:

Merciful and gracious – God does not treat us as we deserve.
Slow to anger – He is patient with our failures.
Abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness – His love never runs out.
Forgiving iniquity and sin – There is no sin too great for His mercy.
But He is just – Sin has consequences, and He does not ignore evil.

This is who God is. This is the heart behind His commands.

Moses’ Response: Worship

Moses hears this and immediately falls to the ground and worships.

Then, he pleads with God again:

"O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance." (Exodus 34:9)

Moses knows Israel’s weakness. But he also knows God’s mercy. And God responds—not with judgment, but with a renewed covenant.

The Call to Obedience

God repeats His commands:

Tear down idols. Do not worship other gods. (v. 13-14)
Remember the feasts. Worship is a priority. (v. 18-26)
Honor the Sabbath. Trust God enough to rest. (v. 21)

Israel is called to live differently. Not because they are righteous, but because they are chosen.

Moses’ Face Shines

When Moses comes down the mountain, his face is glowing. He has been in God’s presence, and it shows.

The people are afraid, so Moses covers his face with a veil. They are not ready to see the full glory of God.

Jesus: The Greater Moses

Moses brought the law—Jesus fulfilled it.
Moses’ face shone temporarily—Jesus is the eternal light of the world.
Moses covered his face—Jesus removes the veil, giving us direct access to God.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

A Lesson for Us

God’s mercy is greater than our failures. Have we broken our promises? God is still faithful.
His presence transforms us. Moses left the mountain changed. Are we spending time with God in a way that changes us?
Jesus removes the veil. We don’t have to stand at a distance—God invites us into His glory.