Exodus 34 Commentary

The two tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments are restored. Moses prepares the two tablets and then takes them to the top of Mount Sinai to meet the LORD.

The LORD appears to Moses in preparation for the renewal of the covenant. He appeared in the cloud, passed before Moses, and proclaimed His character. Moses in turn bowed down in worship before the LORD. He then petitioned the LORD once again to remain among His people in spite of their unfaithfulness.

The LORD declared that He was renewing the covenant with Israel and that He would do miraculous things on their behalf, including driving out those who currently were living in the Promised Land.

The LORD warns the Israelites against engaging in idolatry when entering the Promised Land. Not only are they not to ally themselves with the idolatry that existed in the land, but they are to eradicate every trace of it from the land.

Having stated the types of worship the Israelites were to stay away from, the LORD outlines the requirements of proper worship.

After dictating the principles of the renewed covenant, the LORD commanded Moses to write down everything He had said concerning the renewed covenant. Moses did not eat or drink during the forty days and nights in the LORD’s presence. The tablets were also inscribed with the Ten Commandments.

After being in the LORD’s presence for such a long time, Moses returned to the Israelites with the two tablets in hand. When the Israelites saw him, they were afraid because his face radiated light. So, when Moses was not speaking the words of the LORD to the people, he put a veil over his face. He removed the veil when he was in the LORD’s presence or when he was proclaiming the LORD’s words to the people.