(1) Repeated phrases
34:1 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.
34:4 So Moses cut out two tablets of stone like the first;(NET) The first time Moses went up he was empty-handed; when he came down he smashed the tablets because of the Israelites’ sin. Now the people would see him go up with empty tablets and be uncertain whether he would come back with the tablets inscribed again
Other similarities with the 1st time God setting up the covenant with Israel: "Be prepared, " v.2, "going up in the morning to Mt Sinai," v.2, "no one come up," v.3, "not even flocks or herds may graze in front of that mountain." v.3
In other words, God was ready to renew the covenant with them.
Reflection: God wanted to have the relationship with Israel like before, and He purposely told Moses to make 2 tablets as the first set. He wanted Israelites to feel that they were given a chance to restart their relationship with Him as if nothing had happened.
God had given us a second chance and let us have a new life in Christ. What is your reaction to a God like that?
(2) 34:5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the LORD by name.34:6 The LORD passed by before him and proclaimed:
(NET) a proclamation of the nature or attributes of God (which is what his “name” means throughout the Bible).
a. (Before the covenant was made) the compassionate and gracious God- 2:25 When God saw Israelites being mistreated by the Egyptians He understood them.
b. (When Israelites worshipped the golden calf) slow to anger- (NET) His anger prolongs itself, allowing for people to repent before punishment is inflicted. (Pastor Chu) He has the authority. When He angered people would be afraid. But, He has self-controlled and slow to anger.
c. (Renewal of the covenant) abounding in loyal love and faithfulness,
keeping loyal love for thousands (NET-for thousands of generations)-(NET) The first word is God’s faithful covenant love; the second word is God’s reliability and faithfulness.
d.
(Renewal of the covenant)
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished
(NET) As in the ten commandments (20:5–6), this expression shows that the iniquity and its punishment will continue in the family if left unchecked. This does not go on as long as the outcomes for good (thousands versus third or fourth generations), and it is limited to those who hate God.
Reflection: In Asia, many times we see children are involved in idol festivals or parades. They dressed up and danced during those events. There is no boundary between culture and religion. People bring their children to those events thinking to educate them about their own culture and eventually their children continue to worship idols. God is love and willing to forgive, but man continues to turn away from Him and teaches their children to do so.
Please pray for the children ministry. It is so important. We need to do that not only here, but also do it overseas. May God help us to serve Him in that capacity.
Audrey
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