Moses Makes the 10 Commandments Again
February 1, 2021
Commentary
This passage has three sections, each beginning with “Moses said.” It shows how Moses’ relationship with the LORD grew deeper through prayer and obedience. It also reveals the LORD’s gracious response to one who sought His presence above all.
1. Moses said he wanted the LORD’s presence to go with them toward the promised land (vv. 12–13). In response, the LORD reversed His earlier warning and promised to go with them and give them rest (v. 14). Moses knew that without the LORD’s presence, Israel’s journey would have no true purpose or distinction from other nations.
2. Moses said he wanted confirmation that the LORD would indeed go with them (vv. 15–16). Again, the LORD graciously agreed to Moses’ request and assured him that He was pleased with him (v. 17). This relationship be-tween Moses and the LORD reminds us that God values those who walk with Him in humility.
3. Moses said he wanted to see the glory of the LORD (v. 18). The LORD agreed to reveal His goodness, mercy, and compassion, but explained that no one could see His full glory and live. Instead, He placed Moses in the cleft of a rock, covered him with His hand, and allowed him to see His back as His glory passed by (vv. 19–23). Through this, Moses experienced the holiness and grace of the LORD.
Several valuable lessons can be learned from this passage:
1. We cannot discover the LORD’s ways on our own.
2. The LORD Himself must show us His way.
3. Only when He reveals His way can we truly know Him.
4. God hears our prayers and answers according to His will.
Application
When I face decisions or uncertainty, do I seek the LORD’s presence more than answers or success? Like Moses, do I long to know His ways instead of relying on my own understanding? This week, how can I pray earnestly, lis-ten carefully, and let the LORD’s presence guide my steps so that others can see His glory in my life?
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.”
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