The Lord Proclaims His Name
The Lord renews the tablets and proclaims his name, revealing mercy and justice as the foundation for covenant renewal after Israel’s great sin.
Exodus 34:1-9 (BSB)
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
2 Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself before Me on the mountaintop.
3 No one may go up with you; in fact, no one may be seen anywhere on the mountain—not even the flocks or herds may graze in front of the mountain.”
4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals. He rose early in the morning, and taking the two stone tablets in his hands, he went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him.
5 And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD.
6 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,
7 maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
8 Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped.
9 “O Lord,” he said, “if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
What is the big idea of Exodus 34:1-9?
The LORD renews the tablets and proclaims his name, revealing mercy and justice as the foundation for covenant renewal after Israel’s great sin.
How does Exodus 34:1-9 point to Christ?
Exodus 34:1-9 reveals the LORD’s covenant character after Israel’s idolatry: he is merciful and gracious, forgiving sin, yet not clearing guilt as though evil does not matter. The gospel shows how mercy and justice meet fully in Christ, where God forgives sinners and remains just because Christ bears sin and curse in their place. In Christ, the God proclaimed on Sinai is revealed with final clarity.
How does Exodus 34:1-9 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
This Old Testament passage does not narrate an event in the earthly life of Jesus. It does, however, creates a deep canonical trajectory toward the full revelation of God's grace, truth, mercy, and justice in Christ. The LORD's proclaimed character prepares readers to understand why sinners need a mediator who can secure both forgiveness and God's presence without denying divine holiness.
Authorial Intent
To narrate the LORD’s command for Moses to prepare new tablets, Moses’ ascent to Sinai, the LORD’s descent in the cloud and proclamation of his covenant name, and Moses’ worshipful plea that the LORD forgive Israel and go with them despite their stiff-necked sin.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does the LORD command new tablets after the first tablets were broken?
- How does Exodus 34:6-7 answer Moses’ request to see the LORD’s glory?
- Why must mercy and justice be held together in the LORD’s self-revelation?
- What does Moses’ immediate worship teach us about receiving revelation rightly?
- Why does Moses again mention that Israel is stiff-necked?
- How does this passage become a major theological anchor throughout the Old Testament?
- How does the cross of Christ reveal the same God proclaimed in Exodus 34?
Literary Context
Exodus 34:1-9 follows Moses' plea for the LORD's presence and his request to see God's glory in Exodus 33:12-23. It records the promised name-proclamation and begins the formal movement of covenant renewal after the golden calf. The passage looks backward to the shattered tablets in Exodus 32 and forward to the renewed covenant words that follow in Exodus 34, restoring the possibility of the LORD dwelling among Israel through the tabernacle instructions already given.
Historical Context
Moses has pleaded for the LORD’s presence and asked to see his glory. The LORD promised to proclaim his name and pass by Moses while protecting him. After the first tablets were broken because of the golden calf, Moses is commanded to chisel new tablets and ascend Sinai again.
Chapter: Exodus 34
The LORD Proclaims His Name and Renews the Covenant
The LORD renews covenant with guilty Israel by revealing His merciful and just name, commanding exclusive loyalty, restoring the tablets, and marking Moses with the radiance of mediated glory.