Exodus

Exodus 34: God renews His covenant in mercy

Begin in prayer

Before the LORD proclaims His name over the new tablets, let us seek the mercy stubborn sinners need. Ask Him to teach us His justice, His forgiveness and the glory of Christ.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.

Psalm 103:10

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us the weight of our sin and the riches of Your mercy. Show us Jesus, in whom Your justice and forgiveness meet. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Moses brings two new tablets up Sinai, and God descends to proclaim His merciful name and His judgment against guilt. Moses bows and pleads for pardon and God’s presence. The LORD renews the covenant, promises wonders and commands Israel to reject idols and alliances that would draw them into false worship. He repeats the feasts, firstborn duties, Sabbath rest and offerings, promising protection for their land when the men appear before Him. Moses remains forty days and forty nights without bread or water and receives the covenant words on the tablets. His face shines when he returns, and he gives God’s commands before putting on a veil.

As you read Exodus 34, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God renews His covenant in mercy while judging sin and commanding faithful worship.

The new tablets show that Israel broke the covenant, while its renewal begins with God’s mercy. He proclaims His name as gracious, patient and abundant in loving kindness and truth. He forgives iniquity, disobedience and sin, yet will by no means clear the guilty. The warning reaches fathers, children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. Moses answers with worship and a plea for pardon and God’s presence among the stubborn people. Renewed fellowship requires undivided worship, including the destruction of idols and refusal of marriages that would draw Israel after other gods. The feasts, firstborn redemption, Sabbath and firstfruits keep rescue and dependence before the nation’s life. Moses returns with a shining face after forty days and nights without food or water, then speaks God’s commands before veiling it. God’s mercy never makes His holy commands disappear, and both His justice and forgiveness find their answer in Christ.

How does Exodus 34 show us that God renews His covenant in mercy while judging sin and commanding faithful worship?

God forgives sin without treating guilt as harmless.

His name joins mercy, grace, patience, loving kindness and truth. He forgives sin and will by no means clear the guilty. The generational judgment keeps its full weight, and Moses pleads for pardon rather than excusing Israel.

God renews the covenant and commands undivided worship.

He will do wonders and drive out the nations. Israel must overthrow idols and refuse alliances and marriages that lead to their worship. The LORD is jealous, so His people cannot give another god the honor that belongs to Him.

God’s appointed worship orders the rescued nation’s life.

God commands seven days of unleavened bread, harvest feasts and Sabbath rest even during plowing and harvest. Firstborn males belong to God, sons must be redeemed, and a donkey must be redeemed with a lamb or be killed. Sacrificial blood must have no leavened bread, and the Passover sacrifice must not remain until morning. Firstfruits go to His house, and a young goat must not be boiled in its mother’s milk. He promises that none will desire Israel’s land when all males appear before Him three times a year with gifts.

God’s glory shines on the messenger who brings His word.

Moses gives the commands while his face shines, then covers it with a veil. He removes it when speaking with the LORD. Paul leads from Moses' veil to the freedom and glory found in Christ (2 Corinthians 3 verses 12 to 18).

Memorise

Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth

Exodus 34:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin am I excusing because I know Jesus is merciful?

The LORD proclaims that He is “a merciful and gracious God,” and that He “will by no means clear the guilty.” Moses bows and asks for pardon. Mercy is no invitation to pretend that sin carries no guilt.

At the cross Jesus answers both our need and God’s righteous judgment. He bore the sin of His people and suffered the death their sins demanded. The Father raised Him to life after the sacrifice was complete. His work is enough to justify those who come with nothing except their need. God’s forgiveness in Christ leaves His justice whole.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Those who repent and rely on Him are forgiven. Leave the idols and excuses that dishonor His name. Come to the Savior whose grace brings guilty people into a life of grateful obedience before the holy God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God’s mercy never makes sin harmless, and that Jesus died and rose to satisfy justice and secure forgiveness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for renewing His covenant in mercy and keeping His holy justice, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17

Merciful God, thank You for proclaiming Your gracious name to Moses. We confess the sins we have excused. Please lead us to repent and trust Jesus, whose sacrifice answers our guilt. Turn our hearts from idols, and teach us thankful obedience under the word You have given. Amen.