Exodus 34

Chapter 34: The New Tablets of the Law

Background History and Timeline: Exodus continues the narrative of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, following their deliverance from Egypt. The events likely occurred around the late 15th or early 14th century BCE.

Locations Mentioned: The chapter primarily takes place at Mount Sinai, where Moses receives the new tablets of the law.

Themes and Conflicts: Exodus 34 revisits themes of covenant, forgiveness, and the renewal of God's commandments. It also highlights the consequences of sin and the restoration of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Main Characters: The main characters in this chapter include Moses, God, and the Israelites.

Specific Passages:

• Exodus 34:1-9: God commands Moses to chisel two stone tablets like the first ones and to meet Him on Mount Sinai. God reveals His name, attributes, and covenant promises to Moses.

• Exodus 34:10-28: God renews His covenant with the Israelites, instructing them to obey His commandments and to observe certain festivals and practices.

• Exodus 34:29-35: Moses returns from Mount Sinai with the new tablets of the law, his face radiant from being in the presence of God.

Explanation: In Exodus 34, God commands Moses to chisel two stone tablets like the ones He had previously given, as the first ones were shattered when Moses witnessed the Israelites' idolatry with the golden calf. Moses ascends Mount Sinai to meet with God, who reveals His name, attributes, and covenant promises.

God proclaims Himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin, yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished. He reiterates His covenant promises to the Israelites and commands them to destroy the altars of pagan gods and to observe His appointed festivals and practices.

Moses spends forty days and nights in God's presence on the mountain, where he neither eats nor drinks. When he descends, his face radiates with the glory of God, although he is unaware of it. He delivers the commandments and instructions to the Israelites, and when he finishes speaking with them, he covers his face with a veil.

Exodus 34 depicts the renewal of the covenant between God and the Israelites following the incident with the golden calf. Despite the people's disobedience and idolatry, God extends His mercy and forgiveness, reaffirming His commitment to His chosen people and providing them with another opportunity to live in obedience to His commandments.

The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience, repentance, and the observance of God's statutes in maintaining the covenant relationship with Him. It also highlights the transformative power of encountering God's presence, as evidenced by Moses' radiant face after being in God's midst.

The authorship of Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses, who recorded the events and interactions with God during the Israelites' journey to liberation. While non-biblical sources may not directly verify the specific accounts, archaeological evidence corroborates aspects of ancient Israelite history and culture, providing context for the biblical narrative.

Exodus 34 marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between God and His people, demonstrating His mercy and faithfulness in spite of human frailty and disobedience.